Global Telcos Urged to Support New “Scam Signal” to Help Prevent Social Engineering Fraud

BOZEMAN, Mont. – October 28, 2025

As mobile-enabled scams continue to surge worldwide, Jersey Telecom (JT) and global analytics software leader FICO, with support of the world’s largest mobile industry association, GSMA, are working together to accelerate the global rollout of Scam Signal – an award-winning fraud prevention solution already delivering results for UK banks. First deployed in 2024, Scam Signal uses real-time telephony data to detect and stop scams as they happen and help to protect consumers from significant financial loss.

The organizations are now urging mobile network operators in several countries worldwide to act swiftly and adopt the solution to help stem the rising tide of fraud. In South Africa and Spain, operators have already begun to make the solution available through APIs. The partners are reaching out to operators in the United States, Canada, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Spain, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Chile.

More information on the APIs: https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/gsma-open-gateway/gsma-open-gateway-api-descriptions/

More information on Scam Signal: https://www.fico.com/en/latest-thinking/solution-sheet/scam-signal-real-time-scam-detection-and-prevention

According to reports from the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), scams have cost the global economy over $1 trillion in 2024.Authorised Push Payment or APP fraud is recognised as the number one global fraud threat.

Scam Signal is designed to combat authorized push payment (APP) fraud, where victims are tricked into sending money to criminals. It’s the first network API solution to combine real-time telephony network data with customer and payment information during live transactions – providing banks with the ability to spot the subtle signs of scams as they unfold.

Delivered through FICO® Platform, Scam Signal draws on real-time signals from mobile and landline networks to identify suspicious activity.  When a threat is detected, FICO® Platform Omni-Channel Engagement Capability enables banks to intervene during the live transaction by engaging with the customer with personalized messages that help stop the fraud in its tracks. Importantly, the solution maintains a direct connection with the banks to enable any other additional action to protect their customers from harm.

Results from UK banks using Scam Signal within FICO® Platform – Omni-Channel Engagement include:

  • 41% reduction in the number of people scammed
  • 44% decrease in fraud losses
  • 55% reduction in false positives (payments flagged as fraud that are in fact genuine)

“APP fraud is costing billions globally and eroding consumer trust— with 25% of victims leaving their bank following a fraud incident, according to a recent Juniper Research report,” said Henry Howe, head of Product Development for Mobile Intelligence at JT. “We developed Scam Signal to help telcos turn network intelligence into real-time protection. It’s already proven to reduce scam losses and false positives, but its impact depends on industry-wide adoption. This is a moment for mobile operators to lead — not just in connectivity, but in consumer protection.”

APIs such as those provided under the GSMA Open Gateway initiative allow financial institutions to securely access mobile network data in real time within a compliant framework – a critical capability in the fight against fraud. The Scam Signal API can analyse telephony events such as impersonation calls that often precede fraudulent payment requests. By standardising these APIs across operators, the industry ensures interoperability, scalability and faster deployment of fraud prevention tools across multiple telecoms networks and financial institutions.

The GSMA will support the initiative by running a program to unite mobile operators with the financial services industry and help its members design, build and launch standardised fraud-related APIs. This will help facilitate universal adoption of the APIs and consistent protection for consumers.

“In order to protect as many consumers as possible in as many markets as possible, we need mobile network operators to support banks and enable the appropriate APIs,” said Paresh Modi, senior director, GSMA Fusion. “This is another opportunity for telcos to play a direct role in stopping financial crime, protect consumers, and comply with emerging regulatory expectations.”

“The fight against financial fraud is a shared responsibility,” said Scott Taylor, principal consultant, FICO. “Cross-industry collaboration is paramount and major network operators together with banks need to act as innovators in the fight against fraud at a time when criminals are exploiting new technologies like AI. By fostering partnerships between major operators and banks, we can effectively combat scams and secure customer trust.”

In its first full year since launching in 2024, the Scam Signal solution won the Best Anti-Fraud Solution award at the Credit & Collections Technology Awards and received the Silver Medal in the Fraud Impact Award for Best Scam and APP (Authorized Push Payment) Fraud Prevention solution from Datos Insights in 2024 and 2025. Barclays and FICO also won a 2025 Credit Award for Excellence in Fraud Prevention based on the bank’s deployment of the solution through FICO® Platform – Omni-Channel Engagement Capability.



JT Group and CVC DIF form Strategic Partnership to acquire Manx Telecom Group – Creating Largest Crown Dependencies Telecom Provider

JT Group and CVC DIF have signed a definitive agreement to acquire Manx Telecom Group, the Isle of Man’s leading communications and digital infrastructure provider, subject to customary regulatory approvals. CVC DIF is the dedicated infrastructure investment strategy of global private markets manager CVC Capital Partners.

This strategic acquisition brings together two trusted operators with strong local foundations and expanding international reach. The combined group will serve customers in Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and across the globe.

The acquisition will create the largest full-service telecoms provider across the Crown Dependencies, with a shared commitment to continue investing in resilient and secure, next-generation digital networks, including 5G, fibre, IoT platforms, and managed services to support customers’ use of those networks. The partnership with CVC DIF will bring additional capital and sector expertise to support the long-term growth of this strategic partnership.

Daragh McDermott, CEO of JT Group, said: “Alongside our strategic partner in CVC DIF, this marks a major step forward for JT and Manx Telecom. With the deep sector expertise, we’re building a powerful platform for innovation and investment – one that is rooted in supporting our local economies and communities and built to compete and grow globally. The JT and Manx Telecom teams share similar values and ambition, making the acquisition a perfect fit, and allowing us to accelerate our plans to secure further scale and growth of IoT and managed service lines of business, whilst continuing to serve our existing markets, with the same dedication and care that has become our hallmark.”

Joe Moynihan, Acting Chair of the JT Board, added:

“This is more than a transaction – it’s a bold step toward shaping the future of connectivity across the Crown Dependencies. By bringing together two strong, locally rooted and community-focused businesses, we’re creating a platform that can unlock new revenue streams, drive innovation, and reinvest in the digital infrastructure that underpins our vital economies. This partnership positions us to compete on a global stage while ensuring that the benefits flow back into our islands, supporting sustainable growth and prosperity for years to come.”

Tom Goossens, Partner and Co-Head of the DIF Infrastructure fund strategy at CVC DIF, said: “Our investment in Manx Telecom Group reflects our conviction in the long-term value of resilient, locally rooted digital infrastructure. As the Isle of Man’s incumbent operator, Manx Telecom Group offers a strong platform for innovation and growth, and we are excited to support its next phase of development. The partnership with JT Group further builds on this foundation, enabling us to scale operational capabilities across the Crown Dependencies and beyond. Together, we aim to accelerate investment in next-generation networks and deliver enhanced connectivity and enterprise services to customers.”

Elaine Millar, Minister for Treasury and Resources for the Government of Jersey, added: “JT is a strategic national asset that continues to be wholly owned by the States of Jersey. This acquisition, in partnership with a world-class infrastructure investor, strengthens JT’s position and growth plans and reinforces our commitment to digital leadership and economic resilience. We look forward to seeing this strategic partnership develop and are pleased to see JT’s ambition to secure scale and drive utilisation of the major network investments that it is making.”

With a long-term presence in Jersey, CVC – owner of CVC DIF – brings a strong local presence that reinforces the deal’s foundations and offers local institutional support.

Customers across the Crown Dependencies can look forward to broader service options and continued investment in next-generation technologies. Both JT and Manx Telecom remain committed to delivering high-quality, locally focused service while evolving to meet future needs.

Together, JT Group, Manx Telecom Group, and CVC DIF are building a stronger, more connected future for the Crown Dependencies and beyond, with a focus on economic growth and innovation. This transaction marks the beginning of a new chapter focused on innovation, investment, and delivering long-term value for customers, communities, and partners.