Anti-fraud tools struggle against scammers exploiting cheap internet calling and AI

Scammers Outpace Anti-Fraud Measures

Industry experts at a Broadband Breakfast Live Online panel on July 29, 2026, indicated that tools designed to combat phishing, robocalls, and spam are not keeping up with the rapid adaptation of criminals. Despite a decade of development in anti-fraud technologies, scammers are quickly finding new ways to exploit vulnerabilities, particularly through cheap internet-based calling and artificial intelligence.

The Impact of Internet Calling

Josh Bercu, executive director of the Industry Traceback Group at USTelecom, explained that the rise of internet calling has made it inexpensive and easy for anyone, including malicious actors, to make calls globally. This shift has eliminated the inherent trust of older wired networks, where physical connections verified identities. Now, callers can easily misrepresent themselves, claiming to be legitimate entities like banks without verification.

Limitations of STIR/SHAKEN

The STIR/SHAKEN call authentication protocol, while helpful, was never intended to be a complete solution, according to Joel Bernstein, vice president at Somos. Both experts agreed that the protocol has been oversold and only provides a basic level of understanding when combined with other measures. Bercu noted that some bad actors now acquire legitimate numbers, allowing them to bypass STIR/SHAKEN authentication and still make fraudulent calls.

Need for New Authentication Approaches

Bernstein suggested a move towards a "right-to-use" system, where individual callers would have cryptographic tokens verifying their identity. This system would allow entities like banks to recognize both the caller and themselves as legitimate. The ongoing challenge stems from a fundamental change in how carriers operate, requiring a reevaluation of authentication strategies to address the evolving tactics of scammers.