Have you ever been a victim of a robocall? Most of us have, and it's an annoying experience. But imagine receiving a robocall that threatens or scams you. Unfortunately, many people have become victims of malicious robocalling activities. For these individuals, the experience is not only frustrating but also potentially dangerous.

Luckily, the telecommunications industry has developed a solution. It's called STIR/SHAKEN, and it aims to combat robocall fraud. So, let's dive deeper into what STIR/SHAKEN is and how it mitigates malicious robocalling activities.

All About Stir Shaken Robocalls

What is STIR/SHAKEN?

STIR stands for Secure Telephony Identity Revisited, whereas SHAKEN stands for Signature-based Handling of Asserted Information Using toKENs. These are frameworks designed to authenticate the calls that pass through public telephone networks. They work by validating the identity of the caller and ensuring that the call hasn't been tampered with.

By using STIR/SHAKEN, businesses can ensure that their calls are being made from a legitimate source. And if any robocallers spoof their numbers, the system will identify them as suspicious. This way, the STIR/SHAKEN framework prevents robocallers from hiding behind fake numbers and makes it easier for consumers to differentiate between trustworthy and fraudulent calls.

How does STIR/SHAKEN mitigate malicious robocalling activities?

STIR/SHAKEN replaces the traditional caller ID system with a more robust and secure feature that allows telephone service providers to authenticate incoming calls. This system significantly reduces the ability of fraudsters to use robocalling as a tool to scam people. Moreover, the STIR/SHAKEN system can even trace the location of suspicious calls and ultimately help law enforcement catch the fraudsters.

So, how does STIR/SHAKEN mitigate malicious robocalling activities? STIR/SHAKEN protocol works by using digital certificates to authenticate calls and identify spam calls.

• First, it establishes trust between the Caller ID authentication service and the telephone service provider.
• Second, it employs real-time data sharing and signatures to verify the authenticity of the calling party.
• Finally, it ensures that any calls that fail the authentication process are blocked or flagged as suspicious.

What are the Benefits of STIR/SHAKEN for Robocalls?

Some of the benefits of implementing the STIR/SHAKEN protocol include:

• A reduced number of robocalls customers receive,
• Reduced likelihood of fraud,
• Increased customer trust in phone service providers.

The technology also helps to protect consumers from callers that "spoof" a phone number to create fake caller ID information. It is generally agreed that STIR/SHAKEN stands out as the most effective way to mitigate malicious robocalling activities to this date.

Although STIR/SHAKEN is an excellent tool to mitigate malicious robocalling activities, it has its limitations. For instance, it does not prevent robocalls from being placed; it only validates the caller's legitimacy. Therefore, other methods, such as call blocking apps and smartphone features like "Do Not Disturb" mode may be necessary to complement STIR/SHAKEN.

Trust the Experts for Protection from Fraud

STIR/SHAKEN is a valuable solution to the increasing robocall fraud problem. It ensures that callers can trust the caller ID information they receive, helps differentiate between trustworthy and fraudulent calls, and discourages fraudsters from making malicious robocalls. This system works by validating the identity of the caller and ensuring that the call hasn't been tampered with. Using STIR/SHAKEN, businesses can ensure a better customer experience, and consumers can feel more secure about answering their phones.

At Prescott-Martini, our management team brings a combined 175 years of extensive professional experience to support telecommunications companies operating in the complex USA environment legally. Our Advisory Group is even more impressive, with decades of telecommunications enterprise experience. Our passion for helping our clients is what unites us. We can't wait to work with you. Get in touch with us today to learn more.