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SIM replacement: Why conditions now tough –NCC

Clement Daniel
Clement Daniel
NIMC, NCC collaborate to enhance NIN-SIM linkage processes
SIM cards

The need to protect telecommunication consumers against Subscriber Identity Module, SIM, swap fraud informed the tough conditions for the process of replacing lost, stolen or damaged cards.

This was made known by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, on Sunday.

In a statement issued by the NCC Director, Zonal Operations, Amina Shehu, the conditions for the replacement of  a SIM card included identification through court affidavit, national identification card (or other valid IDs), SIM pack, among other requirements.

She said it had been realised that some people had been defrauded and the tough conditions were to guard against it.

Her words:  “There have been cases of fraudulent activities done on people’s bank accounts, as a result of SIM swap and the victims often complain to the commission, expecting that NCC will compensate them.

“To stop this SIM swap fraud, the commission in 2017 developed guidelines on SIM replacement, which sets water-tight rules for telecoms consumers to replace their SIM card when there is a need for it.”

She said that much as the subscribers might be feeling uncomfortable, they should realise that the conditions were to ascertain the true owner of the card.

“What telecoms consumers should know is that they must appreciate the fact that information being required from them is to establish that anybody coming for SIM swap proves that the number requested to be swapped belongs to him/her.

“Consumers should immediately report to their respective banks to block their accounts, once they lose SIMs linked with their bank accounts,” she said.

She said there were other steps designed to protect the subscribers which included the activation of the Do-Not-Disturb (DND) 2442 Short Code to curb unsolicited text messages.

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