NCC cautions Telecom consumers against sharing cell phone, NIN, SIM

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has cautioned telecom consumers against sharing their cell phones, National Identity Number (NIN), and Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards with others.

The Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau of NCC, Efosa Idehen, disclosed this on Thursday at a consumer discussion occasion coordinated by the commission in Abuja that defaulters would be held responsible for any crime perpetrated with the SIM cards.

The discussion with the subject “Know Your Rights and Obligations as a Telecom Consumer” was planned to enlighten consumers about the perils of sharing such important information.

Idehen cautioned that Nigerians must be very cautious with their devices so they do not fall into the wrong hands that would use it to perpetrate crime and later be traced to the owners of the devices’ NIN or SIM cards.

The director warned Nigerians not to assist any of the consumers to link their SIM cards with their NIN or give telephones to other people to make calls, send texts, or use social media.

He said, “Your phone carries your identity and therefore should be protected and always be with you.

“Note that you will be responsible for whatever wrong/offense someone else committed while using your SIM card(s). So, be very vigilant.

“As a citizen, it is very important and necessary to register for National Identity Number (NIN) and to ensure your NIN is linked to your SIM cards.”

Idehen added that consumers had the right to obtain clear and complete terms and conditions for service agreement and disclosures of price for goods and services.

He, however, stated that they also had the right to appropriately accept all terms and conditions before being charged for services.

“They have the right to be protected against fraudulent, misleading and deceitful information, advertisement or labelling,” he stated.

As indicated by him, the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 (NCA 2003) and Consumer Code of Practice and Regulations 2007 (CCPR 2007) guarantee that Service Providers deal sensibly with the consumers by offering them with information on their service.

Idehen declared that such information should be complete, correct, and up to date in straightforward and clear language.

He said, “The Commission plays a vital role in National Security and works very closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Security Agencies and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“It also works with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and other relevant bodies at ensuring security in the use of the telecom network.”