Press Releases

Media Contact:
Sharon Oddy
Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications
+1 732 699-5130
soddy@iconectiv.com

press release

SIP Forum Welcomes New Telecom Leaders to its Board of Directors as the Industry Addresses Illegal Robocalls and Caller ID Spoofing

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Forum, a group that works directly with service providers and equipment vendors to develop the best practices for deploying the SIP-based framework end to end in the United States, has elected iconectiv’s CTO Chris Drake to its Board of Directors alongside industry leaders from AT&T, Verizon, Lumen, Comcast, Cox Communications, and Microsoft. As a member of the Board of Directors, Drake will help provide guidance and overall governance of all SIP Forum operations.
Mar 16, 2021
press release

iconectiv CTO Chris Drake Takes Leadership Position with GSMA

Telecommunications services like calls and messages are fundamental to everyday existence, and service providers heavily depend on the availability of affordable and interoperable technologies to meet customer expectations for reliability. The Global System Mobile Association (GSMA) launched a new process for the governance and approval of industry specifications, including the creation of the Industry Specifications Approving Group (ISAG) as the oversight and approval body for all industry specification work. iconectiv’s CTO Chris Drake has been appointed as one of a limited number of non-service provider members of the group. The ISAG consists of senior representatives of the industry and includes service provider and non-service provider GSMA members.
Mar 4, 2021
press release

FCC Confirms Service Provider Safe Harbor for Protecting U.S. Consumers and Businesses from One-Ring “Wangiri” Robocall Scams

One-ring wangiri fraud is a global scourge that’s increased 300 percent over the past few years. Under an FCC Report and Order effective Feb. 12, 2021, U.S. service providers may block calls from telephone numbers that are highly likely to be associated with one-ring robocall scams if they use reasonable analytics in deciding which telephone numbers to block. iconectiv TruNumber Protect gives service providers a cost-effective way to proactively protect their customers by providing essential information for accurately targeting the originators of one-ring and other robocalling scams.
Feb 18, 2021
press release

iconectiv’s Michael O’Brien Appointed to CTIA Wireless Foundation Board of Directors

iconectiv’s Chief Product Officer Michael O’Brien has been appointed to the CTIA Wireless Foundation Board of Directors. As a board member, O’Brien will provide counsel on the direction of the organization and its programs, helping ensure the foundation has the resources to maintain its mission, strategy and goals. An organization committed to supporting the positive social impact of wireless technology, the foundation supports social entrepreneurship through programs for nonprofit and mission-driven enterprises that have big ideas and proven solutions that use wireless technology for the common good.
Jan 27, 2021
press release

Establishing Consumer Trust with a Global Unified Verification Process is the Focus of Two Webinars Featuring Telecom Leaders

In 2019, Americans received more than 58 billion robocalls and 4.5 billion spam text messages according to industry reports, demonstrating the need for the industry to implement a verification strategy across voice, text and digital communication channels to increase trust. Re-establishing trust was the focus of two recent executive panels presented by the Network Media Group (NMG). Featuring experts from iconectiv, Verizon and GSMA, the sessions explore what communication service providers, regulators and enterprises can do to establish a unified verification process.
Jan 15, 2021
press release

Addressing the Financial and Reputational Impact of Trust in RCS Business-to-Consumer Messaging

Rich Business Messaging powered by Rich Communication Services (RCS) has the potential to create a relationship with consumers that are both virtual and uniquely personal, but for companies to realize the benefits, consumer trust must be inherent from the start. In this GSMA webinar, iconectiv’s Chief Product Officer Michael O’Brien will explore the positive financial and reputational impact that RCS can have on a company’s business messaging strategy.
Jan 11, 2021
press release

SIPNOC 2020 to Highlight Best Practices for Increasing Call Attestation Levels and Omnichannel Verification

In addition to weeding out illegal robocalls and spam, the STIR/SHAKEN framework can be leveraged to help restore call-answer rates for legitimate businesses. At SIPNOC 2020, iconectiv experts will join other industry leaders to provide actionable advice and best practices for enabling the highest level of caller verification and supporting the security of the next-generation of communications technology.
Dec 3, 2020

In the news

article

The Penny Hoarder: I’m an Idiot. Don’t Fall for the Phishing Scam I Just Fell for

In this article, Chris Drake, iconectiv CTO, provides expert commentary on SMS delivery scams. Drake brings color to the situation by sharing that scammers most likely don’t know whether or not a victim is waiting on a package. These fraudsters will play the odds by sending out millions of messages and let people fall into the trap.
Jan 27, 2023
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Interview with FOX: Big tax season scam arrives as a text

FOX’s Dana Fowle warns viewers to be vigilant of scammers taking advantage of tax season. Fraudsters will send text messages to victims posing as the IRS. Chris Drake, iconectiv’s SVP Corporate and Business Development, advises viewers to freeze their credit as a preventative measure to protect against identity theft.
Jan 27, 2023
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Interview with NBC: How to Avoid These Tax Season Scams

NBC’s Sasha Jones reports on how to be alert this tax season as IRS scams start to appear. iconectiv’s SVP Corporate and Business Development, Chris Drake, offers his expertise on how to spot these text message or email phishing scams. Drake warns victims to never click links sent by a number claiming to be the IRS, as they are likely infected. Additionally, Drake tells viewers to never send money to these numbers by way of gift card, debit card, wire transfer or money transfer apps, as these methods are largely untraceable and nonrefundable. He tells viewers that threatening texts or voicemails from the IRS are imposters and to report the numbers to the IRS.
Jan 26, 2023
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VanillaPlus Issue 6 2022: Reinvention doesn’t mean the wheel

In this interview, iconectiv’s EVP, Head of Information Solutions Business, Peter Ford, speaks on his vision for the reinvented teleco. Ford shares his thoughts on how CSPs can reinvent themselves and discover new streams of revenue by focusing on their ability to verify identity and drive value from voice. This issue also includes a case study on how iconectiv has created tools to help CSPs navigate complicated regulations surrounding caller ID.
Dec 23, 2022
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Interview with FOX: Scammers taking over bank accounts, stealing funds

FOX Houston’s Heather Sullivan warns viewers of their bank accounts being taken over. In an interview, iconectiv’s Senior Vice President, George Cray, provides expert insight on how fraudsters are able to steal bank account information and funds. First, scammers will text victims, as if there is an issue with their bank account, prompting victims to click the link and log in. Once the victim enters their information, the fraudster will access the account, change the password and drain the funds. Cray advises viewers to look for texts from short codes, which are more trustworthy, monitor bank accounts for unexpected withdrawals, use strong passwords and an antivirus firewall and to not use WiFi at hotels or restaurants.
Dec 9, 2022
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An Easy-to-Deploy Fraud-Control Handshake for Voice Operators is Here: When Will it Takeoff?

In this interview, Vasily Birulin discusses how the Trusted Communications Superheroes at AB Handshake are protecting the world, one call at a time. The upstart company introduced a new, low cost and easy to implement solution that can have a major industry impact when influential operators and/or regulators adopt it. AB Handshake is a perfect example of iconectiv’s Traffic Fraud Fighters.
Dec 5, 2022
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Interview with ABC: Here's how thieves may use your phone to steal from you

ABC Austin’s Erica Proffer cautions viewers of fraudsters that are taking advantage of the holiday shopping season using text scams. In an interview, iconectiv’s Senior Vice President, George Cray, provides expert information on why scammers are heading towards texts. Cray explains that text messages are more likely to be opened and engaged with than an email scam. Some common text scams this season include information on gift cards or shipping delays. iconectiv advises viewers to be wary of texts with a sense of urgency, requests for personal information or sent from a standard 10-digit phone number. Cray explains that large companies will often use short codes. These are more trustworthy due to the vetting and monitoring process to ensure they are not being exploited or used for scams.
Nov 23, 2022