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Issue 2.0 December 1995 A-1
A
System Security and Toll Fraud
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 “phreakers,” 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.