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JT Mobile Intelligence defending against impersonation fraud

JT Group Limited has expanded their suite of Mobile Intelligence services with the launch of Scam Signal which allows businesses to protect their customers from impersonation scams, particularly Authorised Pushed Payment (APP) fraud.

Working alongside global analytics software provider FICO, JT have become the first of Vodafone’s channel partners to offer Scam Signal with their mobile intelligence solutions.

JT continues to take a market-leading position in Mobile Intelligence, which uses mobile systems and networks to learn, analyse and resolve user queries with intelligent data. Scam Signal provides a framework of computer rules that app developers and businesses can use to tackle online fraud and protect the digital identities of their customers, enabling financial institutions to swiftly identify and thwart fraudulent bank transfers as they occur in real-time. Leveraging advanced analysis of real-time network data during live transactions, it effectively detects and mitigates social engineering attempts aimed at deceiving and defrauding account holders.

During a successful three-month pilot with a leading UK bank, it was shown that Scam Signal detection could be improved by as much as 30%.

The launch of Scam Signal is particular timely given the growing problem of APP fraud within the UK. Statistics published by the UK government show that 1 in 15 people have fallen victim to fraudulent activity. In 2022, more than £485 million was lost to APP fraud. Recent data for the Channel Islands show a 20% increase in online fraudulent activity, increasingly affecting older and vulnerable people with many losing considerable amounts of money.

Jersey Police recently warned islanders about an increase in these types of scams which can see people losing their life savings. Earlier this year, Guernsey Police also reported that six people were scammed out of a total of £80,000.00. Typically, APP fraud involves a criminal tricking someone into sending them money, often through impersonating representatives from banks, government departments, or even a family member. They can also deceive a victim into making advance payments for fraudulent investments, counterfeit goods and services, or even extort money through a seemingly genuine romance or friendship.

Peter Stok, Global Head of Mobile Intelligence Strategy, JT Group said: ‘The technology represents a significant breakthrough in the fight against fraud and is directly meeting customer’s needs, helping financial institutions to protect consumers by tackling fraud at its source. It’s an essential part of JT’s Mobile Intelligence solutions, providing streamlined identity verification, discreet authentication, and instant fraud protection.

‘Customers are increasingly demanding that their information is safeguarded and to have top-level security that keep pace with the sophistication of fraudsters. Together with our strategic partners we’re addressing a critical need, responding to a more than 20% increase in fraud last year alone.’

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On Your Marks, Get Set, Grow: Healthy snacks provided by JT

This year, children attending the ‘On Your Marks’ holiday sports sessions hosted by the Guernsey Sports Commission will be treated to fresh fruit, provided by JT’s Community Giving scheme.

‘On Your Marks’ provides multi-sports and sports taster sessions for children and young people during the school holidays, focusing on fun through physical activity from a young age.

Up to 100 children and young people attend each session and enjoy a full morning of games and activities including sports such as football, cricket, hockey, netball and softball.

Once a week the Commission likes to provide a free fruit break for all the children and young people to encourage them to eat more fruit, and often to try new varieties they may not have experienced before.  To help keep costs low for parents, the Commission applied to the JT Community Giving scheme asking for assistance in offering healthy and wholesome snacks for the children.

Nicky Will from the Guernsey Sports Commission explained: ‘Being able to provide a healthy snack for everyone who attends, at least once a week helps to reinforce a healthy lifestyle and is popular with everyone.  Thanks to JT’s help we’re able to provide a wide selection of fresh fruit such as strawberries, watermelon, grapes and oranges and as soon as it all hits the tables the children swoop in, and it’s all gone in a matter of minutes.’

Kate Marshall, Head of Guernsey Enterprise at JT said: ‘We all know the importance of an active lifestyle and a healthy diet; the ‘On Your Marks’ holiday activities are a brilliant way to encourage those choices from a young age, introducing them to good habits that can last a lifetime. For us, our support is about reinforcing the positive energy gained from play while at the same time helping their wellbeing with nutritious food. It’s practical support which aligns with our belief in the positive impact of small, meaningful actions.’’

JT Community Giving helps local projects and initiatives by offering them the opportunity to apply for funding, devices, subscriptions, technical support, or even hands-on help from some of JT’s many willing volunteers.

For more information about JT Community Giving, FAQs and an application form, go to: https://www.jtglobal.com/community-giving/

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JT Support Jersey Mencap as part of their Community Giving Scheme

Jersey Mencap is the latest charitable cause to receive support from JT’s Community Giving scheme. JT’s donation has allowed the charity to purchase reaction lights that will support its members with a range of abilities to improve hand-eye coordination, reaction time, and cognitive skills while having fun.

The innovative technology uses a series of lights to trigger a response. The light creates stimuli, causing us to react by turning it off with a foot or hand. Each light has a sensor that records the number of times it is extinguished within a defined timeframe. The sensor can be monitored over time to track progress and identify any areas that may need improvement.

This unique form of mental training creates significant changes within the brain. Neurotransmitters deliver important information that tells parts of the body to start moving. The more the neurotransmitters move, the faster and more efficiently they are received, allowing us to be more agile and efficient when responding to stimuli, such as playing sport or having a conversation.

Jersey Mencap has around 150 members with learning disabilities. They offer weekly activities that will appeal to their members, provide more structure to their week, build friendships, and a chance to try something new.

Ali Hand, Activity Coordinator at Jersey Mencap, explained: ‘Working in partnership with Jersey Sport, our members attend a weekly circuit training session to improve physical fitness that has been running for a number of years. The reaction lights are so versatile and, with the help of a personal trainer, can be used for many different games and exercises, which can be adapted to the level of ability. Introducing the reaction light training has been fun because we’re learning to use them together, and it has created an interactive way for our members to have fun and improve their skills.

‘The reaction lights are expensive to buy, which is why we’re so grateful to JT for this wonderful donation.’

Pip Carpenter, JT’s Head of Consumer Markets, said: ‘It is fascinating to see how this innovative technology can help islanders with physical disabilities whilst also being fun.

‘Once we understood how these special reaction lights could be used and the benefits they offer Mencap’s members, we were keen to help. It’s exactly the kind of project JT loves to support through our Community Giving scheme.’

Applications for this year’s JT Community Giving Scheme are open, with reviews taking place every three months. It’s an open call to not-for-profit organisations, schools, and community groups across the Channel Islands to join JT’s journey of community enhancement and support.

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JT connects with Guernsey Charities

Recently, more than 50 Guernsey charities gathered at the Swallow Pavilion at La Vallette to mark the first anniversary of JT Community Giving, established by the technology company a year ago to support local projects and initiatives.

This was an opportunity for the charities to learn more about JT Community Giving and how to apply for funding, digital devices, subscriptions, technical support, or hands-on assistance from some of JT’s many volunteers.

It was a unique gathering of the exceptional people who selflessly give their time to others – an opportunity for them to share not only the ways they’ve benefited from JT Community Giving donations but also their personal stories. This special event served as a platform for making friends and establishing new partnerships, creating an even stronger and supportive community network.

Aaron Davies, Childrens Service Manager from Action for Children explained: ‘‘We successfully applied to the JT Community Giving scheme and got approval for mobile phones to help young islanders facing homelessness. This allows them to keep in touch with us and other community services they might need. The application was straightforward, and the donation makes a big difference to our team and the young people, who can now be reached at any time and can reach out for help whenever they need it.’’

There were five JT team members on hand at the event to explain the application process and give examples of donations and support that some of the 120 charities across the Channel Islands have benefitted from since the scheme began a year ago, attracting over a dozen new requests solely from this event.

Kat Gillespie from King George V (KGV) playing fields and Community Centre added: ‘‘We went to the JT Community Giving event to see what kind of support we could get, like many other charities, we struggle with raising awareness and funds. The event was great because we met many others facing the same challenges. The JT team were very helpful and friendly, and we were surprised to learn how straightforward the application process was. Now that we know, we’ve filled out our first application, asking for a raffle prize for our big Euros prize draw.’’

Pip Carpenter, Head of Consumer Markets at JT Group said: ‘’As a local business it’s always been important to us that we give back to our community. It was a real pleasure for me to meet the people behind these charities and hear firsthand about the amazing work they do. These groups serve as the bedrock for a strong support network across our island, offering essential support to families who would be lost without them. The continued success of our scheme is a testament to the collective strength found in these grassroots initiatives, and by continuing to support these vital organisations, we aim to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our fellow islanders. Together, we contribute to the overall well-being of our community, promoting inclusivity and interconnection for all.”

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Celebrating Careers Week and International Women’s Day

To round off Careers Week, which coincides with International Women’s Day, we’re shining the spotlight on some of the incredible working mothers here at JT who have been able to shape their careers around their family lives.

Account Executive Team Leader Maria has been with JT for sixteen years and throughout her time with the company, she has been able to adopt flexible working hours to co-term with becoming and being a mum to two children.

Maria started full-time but reduced her hours to four days a week when she became a mum, and subsequently changed to part-time hours spread out over four days. When her children started school, Maria also had the opportunity to change her hours to finish in time for school pick-up

Now her children are older, Maria has recently returned to full-time hours but flexes her hours to spend time with them after school, making up her hours on other days.

Maria’s flexible arrangement allows her to do administration work during non-core working hours, meaning she’s ready for meetings and urgent requests during the week.

“I feel so privileged with the amount of flexibility and trust I’m given. I know and fully appreciate how lucky I am, and it makes my week flow for me and my children.”

Revenue Assurance Manager Kathryn has also found JT’s flexible working policy to be invaluable as a working parent.

“Working four days a week when my children were small gave us a whole day together to do as we pleased, breaking up my working week nicely – something I am really grateful for.”

Now that her children are at school, Kathryn can use that time for life admin and self-care, so that she can be more available to spend time with her children when they’re not at school and less stressed when she’s at work.

Here at JT, we believe that great people do their best work in an environment that supports them – and we know that can look different for each person.

Our flexible working policy allows our people to shape their careers to suit them, supporting them to be their best at both work and home.

If you’re looking to return to work after a career break of more than 18 months, we can help ease the process with our Return to Work Workshop taking place in July – register your interest here: https://careers.jtglobal.com/postings/f7656e31-83b3-491c-aef3-b2f2ff00d71c

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JT strengthens its fraud prevention expertise with Spectrum acquisition

JT has expanded its Mobile Intelligence offerings by acquiring Spectrum Message Services, an Australian-based company. Spectrum specialises in combining mobile communications platforms with anti-fraud and payment systems and has global partnerships with top-tier transactional software and service solution providers.

Spectrum’s flagship product, MoneyGuard, is a mobile alert system that’s used to process transactions for more than 120 million consumers worldwide using cards, accounts and other electronic payment forms. It’s been designed to help financial institutions fight fraud by alerting and communicating with customers through SMS, mobile apps, email and voice.

JT plans to seamlessly integrate MoneyGuard into its existing portfolio, enhancing its ability to protect customers from financial fraud and identity theft.

Daragh McDermott, CEO of JT Group, commented: “JT Group’s vision is to connect our customers, and this strategic acquisition perfectly aligns with our commitment to using data-driven solutions to combat financial fraud. MoneyGuard’s innovative features complement our existing Mobile Intelligence portfolio, bolstering our ability to provide effective communication channels in the dynamic world of financial transactions.”

Gerard Vos, Managing Director of Spectrum, added: “This marks an exciting chapter for MoneyGuard. Our shared vision for combining mobile alert systems with mobile intelligence aligns perfectly, and we look forward to contributing to its further growth by adding our expertise to JT’s initiatives in combating fraud whilst improving the overall customer experience.”

With the addition of MoneyGuard to its product portfolio, JT has solidified its position as a leader in Mobile Intelligence, combining expertise and solutions to create a more secure digital future.

For more information on Spectrum MoneyGuard click here >

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Silver award for JT’s diverse and inclusive culture

JT’s continuous focus on being a great place to work has been recognised as it moves up a level in a national awards scheme that measures progress on diversity and inclusion. The company is among 43 organisations that have received a TIDE Silver award, with other winners including BAE Systems, Engineering and Glasgow City Council.

In 2022, the telecommunications company achieved bronze and its latest Silver TIDE (Talent Inclusion and Diversity Evaluation) rating from the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion saw JT’s score improve from 61% in 2022 to 74% in 2023, putting it in 34th place out of 171 organisations.

Sarah Gosiewska, JT Head of Talent, said: “For us, diversity and inclusion means acknowledging and appreciating perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, creating a working environment where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and valued for who they are. This highlights the continuous effort we put into life at JT.

TIDE awards are given to employers that rank highest on a benchmarking system that measures progress and commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion. JT was also ranked in first place in its region for recruitment after investing in anti-bias software and introducing enhanced diversity reporting. The local telco was also recognised for increasing its diversity among senior management positions.

Laura Belo, Head of HR at JT, added: “The TIDE process ensures that we strive for continuous progress against recognised targets. It’s also about tuning our work culture into what our people want and need, recognising and rewarding their talents, and creating an organisation where everyone feels not only valued but empowered. The average length of time people stay with JT is nearly ten years, a testament to people of all ages working side by side, from 18 to 67. With our long-term goals of working towards continual improvement, we hope that our score will continue to reflect the genuine efforts that the whole team is making.”

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JT and RoamsysNext collaborate on Game-Changing IoT Solution for Network Optimisation

In response to the explosive growth of IoT devices and the projection that their number will double to 27 billion by 2025, Jersey Telecom (JT Group) has worked with development partner RoamsysNext to introduce JT’s IoT Certification Manager (ICM). This innovative solution addresses the pressing challenge faced by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), and enterprise partners, who are struggling with network congestion and performance issues due to uncertified IoT devices.

Network congestion occurs when there’s an overload of signalling and data traffic that exceeds the network’s capacity to manage. To tackle these issues, operators have at times resorted to blocking devices based on International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and traffic patterns, which can lead to an imperfect solution.

ICM effectively reduces the network issues that stem from IoT devices, ensuring improved service quality for customers and businesses. It provides valuable insights and analytics, allowing operators to identify and if required take necessary actions against uncertified or unfamiliar devices that may disrupt network performance or pose security risks, safeguarding the customer experience.

Going beyond optimising network performance, ICM enhances cybersecurity, ensuring that only trusted and secure devices connect to the network. This solution also enables Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to guarantee that their devices function as originally intended on networks.

Underpinned by a comprehensive dataset, this system facilitates the alignment of the Type Allocation Code (TAC) with certification data to uniquely identify each IoT device. It offers a user-friendly interface equipped with features such as a search tool, bulk entry, data export, and device verification against the manufacturer’s records.

Marcus Irwin, Head of Product Innovation at JT, said; “As an MNO, we’re well aware of the challenges posed by the existing and growing number of IoT devices. With ICM, we’re offering operators worldwide a groundbreaking solution that not only optimises network performance but also strengthens cybersecurity. It’s the game-changer we all need to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape.”

He added, “What truly sets ICM apart is its remarkable ability to consolidate multiple data sources into a single interface. This allows operators, resellers, aggregators, enterprises, and manufacturers to easily identify IoT devices on their network, verify their global certifications, and make well-informed decisions based on high-quality intelligence.

Michael Grasmück, CEO of RoamsysNext, said; “Our commitment to data enrichment and consolidation is unparalleled. ICM is the answer to the industry’s need for a comprehensive, single-source solution that enables operators to address network congestion and improve services for their customers and businesses.

JT’s IoT Certification Management is available to mobile network operators, MVNOs, enterprise businesses, and OEMs through a yearly subscription. For more information click here.

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JT support Guernsey Down Syndrome Group as part of their Community Giving Scheme

Guernsey Down Syndrome Group is the latest worthy cause to have benefitted from JT’s Community Giving scheme. JT’s donation has been instrumental in funding the visit of a much-needed specialist to the island, a service vital for monitoring progress and advising educators and carers.

The local group supports 14 families which includes a range of people with Down syndrome, of varying ages and abilities. The group became a registered charity in 2018, focusing on providing crucial support, sharing valuable experiences, and offering information to families, carers, and teachers through family get-togethers, fundraising events, specialist speakers, and training.

All money raised by the charity goes towards the education of the children and supporting their families.

Helen O Hara, the charity’s treasurer explains: ‘Twice a year, a specialist from the UK in child development and education visits the island. We cover all fees, travel, and accommodation expenses. She is brilliant, her expertise is invaluable, helping us to enhance the education and developmental support we offer families. Our long-term goal is to secure a full-time specialist here in Guernsey. This would provide families with immediate access to essential support and guidance, significantly improving the early life experiences and opportunities for our children.’’

JT’s Community Giving scheme supports a wide range of demographics, from schools to the elderly, sports enthusiasts, community groups and more. In Guernsey, the scheme helped 37 organisations in 2023 each representing a diverse range of needs, yet all providing essential community services, and 124 charities and not for profit groups benefitted in total from the scheme across the Channel Islands last year.

Kate Marshall, JT’s Head of Guernsey Enterprise, elaborated: “Learning about the difference our donation has made to the families with Down syndrome in Guernsey deeply touched us. It reflects our commitment to supporting every community sector, no matter how small. These are the groups that, although often overlooked, need our support the most. We’re genuinely committed to being an integral part of the community’s support network, where we can, addressing diverse needs ranging from the youth and elderly to sports clubs and educational projects.”

Helen added, ‘’I want to say a massive thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Usually, we have to start thinking about the different ways we can bring in more money, but this donation has meant we don’t have to worry.’’

Applications for this year’s JT Community Giving Scheme are now open, with reviews taking place every three months. It’s an open call to not-for-profit organisations, schools, and community groups across the Channel Islands to join JT’s journey of community enhancement and support.

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Two New Defibrillators Enhance Emergency Response in St Helier

A further two emergency heart starting devices have been added to the network of defibrillators in St Helier. The public access defibrillators are outside JT’s headquarters at the Forum in Grenville Street and at the former JT shop in Minden Place.

Working with the Jersey Heart Support Group, the two Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) join a network of more than 80 distinctive yellow and green cabinets in prominent places around the island, that includes parish halls, Jersey Zoo, the Liberation Station and opposite the public entrance to the States building.

Derren Le Breton Glover, Property and Health and Safety Manager, from JT, said: “Having a large network of Public Access Defibrillators provides reassurance that life-saving emergency equipment is readily available if needed. Knowing the location of a defibrillator can be the difference between life and death and with more of them in prominent known locations, members of the public can get to them or be informed by the emergency services where the nearest portable machine can be found. We are delighted to help expand and improve the network so that these vital devices can be accessed quickly and easily.”

The Jersey Heart Support Group started installing AEDs in public areas a decade ago and has relied on donations and sponsorship to expand the network to over 80 today. They join those already available in workplaces that are also known to the emergency services, but more of those could be made accessible to the public.

Mandi Corley Harris, Chair of the Jersey Heart Support Group, added: “It is vitally important that the emergency services know where every defibrillator is but not all will be accessible and that’s why we are so pleased when companies like JT sponsor two that anyone can use in an emergency. Training is also giving to members of staff so that they can use them quickly and confidently. A few years ago, we started a campaign to ‘Liberate Defibrillators’ so that more AEDs could be made available on the outside of buildings in external cabinets. We rely on support from companies and individuals who are community minded and want to help us save lives.”