AT&T 585-310-231 manual System Security and Toll Fraud, Protecting Your System

System Security and Toll Fraud A

Telecommunications fraud is the unauthorized use of another company’s telecommunications service. This type of fraud has been in existence since the 1950’s when AT&T first introduced Direct Distance Dialing (DDD).

Twenty years later, Remote Access became a target of individuals seeking unauthorized network access. Now, with the added capabilities of voice mail and automated attendant services, customer premises equipment-based toll fraud has expanded as a new type of communications abuse. With its subculture of “hackers” and “p hreakers,” telecommunications fraud has rapidly become a highly profitable criminal activity.

Protecting Your System

Voice messaging toll fraud has risen dramatically in recent years. Now more than ever, it is imperative that you take steps to secure your system. Callers into the voice messaging/automated attendant system may transfer to an outgoing trunk if adequate security measures are not implemented. Callers who have unauthorized access to a voice mailbox can use it as a message drop for communications at your expense on your 800 numbers. Securing your system means protecting the switch, protecting the voice messaging system, and protecting any automated attendant applications.

Issue 2.0 December 1995 A-1