KEY BARRIER TO ONLINE FRAUD CAN BE BYPASSED FOR PENNIES

Summary from the TLDR InfoSec newsletter

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have determined that SMS numbers, which are commonly used by services to verify account activation and combat fraud, can be readily purchased, typically for less than 30 cents each. Costs varied by country, with the UK and Russia selling for 10 cents at the lower end, and Australia and Japan selling for $3-$5 at the higher end. The cost could also vary by service, with throwaway numbers for WhatsApp costing more than those for X.