Here at Biaas we continually identify and notify our customers of new IRSF Test numbers from many sources around the world. These Test numbers are used as part of an internal control strategy to mitigate the many of the risks associated with voice fraud. Much has been written about these, but they are numbers that fraudsters will often dial as part of an IRSF attack, and so it can be useful if telecommunications companies know about these and can monitor calls to these destinations.

Biaas regularly observes test numbers going live to new destinations, and this can happen speedily, often within a few days of a destination being marked down as ‘higher cost’ by even just one international operator. This speed is quite impressive. We have seen this just recently on new test call numbers to destinations in Poland and Belarus. Some were used in actual frauds. Fraudsters like moving quickly and with speed. It allows them to get ahead of the pack and to stay well ahead of internal controls designed to stop their activities.

This is why we can make new IRSF test numbers available every day. This is also why Telecommunications operators should ensure they have in place system controls to quickly take advantage of this data, for example by implementing new IRSF test numbers into their Fraud Monitoring System, and so ensuring they stay ahead of the fraudsters.

Speed is important, both for fraudsters and for ensuring strong internal controls are maintained.