Founding Prospectus
Elite Telecom Operator Certification Body (ETOC)
Prospectus
The total damage caused by special frauds, including the so-called "It's me" fraud, reached a record high of approximately 56.6 billion yen in 2014. Since then, the number of cases has temporarily decreased due to measures such as strengthened police crackdowns, preventive activities in cooperation with the public and private sectors, and restrictions on the use of telephones used in crimes, but it has recently been on the rise again, and the situation remains severe, with the number of reported special fraud cases in 2023 reaching approximately 19,000 cases and total damage of approximately 45.3 billion yen.
Based on the "It's My Ore Fraud Countermeasure Plan" decided at the Crime Prevention Ministerial Meeting (chaired by the Prime Minister) in June 2019, the public and private sectors are working together to suspend telephone numbers used in special fraud crimes. Although various measures have been implemented since then, malicious businesses or businesses selling telephone services to malicious groups continue to exist, and this has not been a sufficient deterrent. With the promotion of digitalization throughout society and the increase in teleworking, the need for telephone use has rapidly increased, and advanced technological innovation and dissemination are progressing, but these advanced technologies are being misused in crimes such as special fraud. It has been pointed out that the reason for the lack of sufficient deterrence is that it is difficult for not only general users (companies and consumers) who use telephone services, but also businesses to easily and reliably identify some malicious businesses.
In response to this situation, in FY2023, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications conducted a study based on the opinions of experts on how to objectively judge the quality of businesses, etc. Specifically, it was concluded that having an external organization evaluate the eligibility of businesses, etc. and using this to confirm credit when conducting transactions between businesses would be an effective measure to prevent transactions of telephone numbers and telephone lines with inappropriate businesses. In addition, in FY2024, the council will also be studying measures to prevent the criminal use of telecommunications numbers, and the compiled report states that it is necessary to strengthen cooperation with voluntary efforts in the industry.
In light of these recent circumstances, we five telecommunications industry associations are today establishing the Telephone Carrier Certification Organization to promote the visibility of bona fide telecommunications operators by evaluating and certifying operators who trade Japanese telephone numbers, and to aim for the healthy development of Japan's telecommunications market through activities such as raising awareness among operators and users.
October 1, 2024
Elite Telecom Operator Certification Body (ETOC)
Founder
Telecom Services Association (TELESA)
Telecommunications Carriers Association (TCA)
Japan Internet Providers Association (JAIPA)
Japan Cable and Telecommunications Association (JCTA)
Japan Unified Telecommunications Carriers Association (JUSA)