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Jun 142 min read

Government SMSes to Display 'gov.sg' as Sender ID Starting July 1

Beginning July 1, government SMSes in Singapore will use the sender ID "gov.sg". The switch to the new sender ID will take place gradually beginning June 18. Exceptions apply to text messages about national services and emergencies.

A system is in place to detect scammers who attempt to fake the gov.sg sender.
Credit: LIM YAOHUI

Instead of distinct agency names like "MOH" or "Iras," all government SMSes will use "gov.sg" as the sender ID.


To guarantee openness, each text message will start with the full name of the agency that sent it and end with a statement stating that it is an automated message from the Singapore Government and that receivers should not respond.


The transition to the new sender ID will occur gradually over a two-week period beginning on June 18, with all mails displaying the "gov.sg" ID by July 1. However, SMS messages pertaining to national service concerns and emergency services will have different sender IDs from the Defence and Home Affairs ministries.


The programme was created by Open Government Products (OGP), an independent subsidiary of the Government Technology Agency. OGP focuses on developing technologies for the public good and strives to safeguard people against government official impersonation fraud.


This step follows past efforts to curb SMS scams. To protect against phishing schemes, Singapore banks eliminated clickable links from emails and SMSes sent to retail customers in 2022. Furthermore, in 2023, the Infocomm Media Development Authority ordered that organisations that use alphanumeric sender IDs for SMSes register with the Singapore SMS Sender ID Registry. Currently, the platform has over 4,000 registered businesses, including DBS Bank and Lazada.


The implementation of the consolidated gov.sg SMS sender ID is intended to create confidence and peace of mind in the public while receiving SMS communications from government institutions. Sim Feng-Ji, the Smart Nation Group's deputy secretary, underlined that this programme is part of the government's efforts to prevent malicious phishing attempts and maintain trust in government communication.

 

  • Government SMSes in Singapore will display "gov.sg" as the sender ID starting from July 1.

  • The transition to the new sender ID will occur gradually from June 18.

  • Exceptions apply for text messages related to national service matters and emergency services.


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