CFCA History
1985 – Setting the scene for the formation of CFCA
The breakup of the Bell System was mandated on January 8, 1982, that AT&T Corporation would, relinquish control of the Bell Operating Companies that had provided local telephone service in the United States and Canada up until that point. This effectively took the monopoly that was the Bell System and split it into entirely separate companies that would continue to provide telephone services. AT&T would continue to be a provider of long-distance service, while the now-independent Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs), nicknamed the ‘Baby Bells’, would provide local service, and would no longer be directly supplied with equipment from AT&T.
Effective January 1, 1984, the Bell System’s many member companies were variously merged into seven independent “Regional Holding Companies”, also known as Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs), or “Baby Bells”. Suddenly there was serious competition in telecommunications industry, there was a different business dynamic, a new playing field, along with this huge change came the technological advancement of wireless telephony. With competition, growth, diversity came opportunity and innovation, but sadly it also brought opportunity for further opportunities to defraud and undertake criminal activities to illegitimately gain telephony services. Wireless Fraud, Dealer fraud, Remote call forwarding, Bypass fraud to name just a few became common terms amongst telecom businesses.
On May 7, 1985, in San Francisco, California, a group of telecommunications professionals gathered to substantiate and found an association with one objective in mind.
To collaborate in the identification, management and eradication of fraud in the telecoms industry.
53 Representatives from 14 telecom companies and organizations came together that included MCI, Sprint, AT&T, ITT, SBS, Teleconnect, Allnet, NY Telephone, New England Telephone, SW Bell, BellSouth, U.S. Telecom, US Secret Service and NYPD.. The group elected officers and board members were appointed, first President was Everick Bowen, from MCI with Neal Norman, from AT&T the first Vice President, Marty Locker, from ITT, 2nd Vice President, Clo Flemming from Sprint Treasurer and Charlene McGovern, Secretary, SBS. With, Ron Potter, Harry Miller, Arthur Reinhard, Walt Frier and Beverly Wainer forming the board members.
CFCA started activities in anger, an office space loaned by MCI formed CFCA’s first head office in Fairfax, VA. The first CFCA logo designed by an art student at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania become the brand for over 30 years. The first CFCA Annual Conference was held between January 29-31, 1986 at the Miami Grand Bay Hotel. With initiatives including Certification, Information Sharing Forum, Online University, Educational Events and Allied Association Partnerships being founded and developed in the years since.
Over 35 years of Fraud Threats
Since the founding of the CFCA organization, there have been many meetings, many directors and board members, all dedicating some of their time in the joint effort of tackling fraud. What has been consistent during this time is the fraud threat to communication service providers and consumers. The modus operandi may have changed, evolved and adapted based on the environments, services offered and technology platforms launched and utilized during this time. The constant need to keep one step ahead of the fraudsters has never ceased.
Today CFCA is continuing the great work of its founders, collaborating and sharing the challenges to work together to mitigate fraud that impacts their business and their customers.
We do not have a complete picture of our history, so if you have any supporting information, details about early board members, please contact us.
CFCA Board Member History
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