Optus Mobile Pty Limited, operating under Coles Mobile, has been fined $826,320 for multiple breaches of Australia’s stringent anti-scam telecommunications regulations, leading to significant consumer losses. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) uncovered that Optus violated these rules on 44 instances during September and October 2024, which directly resulted in financial damages and identity theft for several consumers. The ACMA’s investigation revealed that scammers exploited a flaw in a third-party identity verification system used by Optus. This breach allowed the scammers to circumvent parts of the verification process, subsequently gaining control over the mobile services of at least four individuals and accessing their banking information. The total reported financial loss from these incidents amounted to $39,000. Samantha Yorke, an ACMA Authority Member, emphasized the severe impact of such scams on Australians, highlighting the financial and emotional distress victims endure in reclaiming their digital identities. “This significant penalty reflects the gravity of Optus’s failures and the potential harm caused to consumers,” she stated. ACMA continues to prioritize the crackdown on mobile number fraud, with more than $1.9 million collected in fines over the past year for breaches of related standards. Consumers are urged to report any suspected phone scams to their telecommunications provider and financial institutions immediately. Support for those affected by identity theft is available through IDCARE and emotional support can be sought via Lifeline and Beyond Blue. Post navigation Tragic Night in Margate