
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has advised telecom consumers in the country not to share their cell phones, National Identity Number (NIN), and Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards with others.
Mr Efeosa Edehen, Director Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC, said on Thursday at a consumer conversation event organised by the commission in Abuja that defaulters would be held liable for any crime committed with the SIM cards.
The conversation with the theme “Know Your Rights and Obligations as a Telecom Consumer” was aimed at enlightening consumers on the dangers of shearing such vital information.
He warned that Nigerians must be extremely careful with their devices so they do not fall into the hands of wrong people who would use them to commit crime and later be traced to the owners of the devices, NIN or SIM cards.
Edehen cautioned Nigerians not to help any of the consumers to link their SIM cards with their NIN or give phones to other people to make calls, send texts, or use social media.
“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,” he said.
Speaking further he said Consumers had the right to receive clear and complete terms and conditions for service agreement and disclosures of price for goods and services.
He added that the also had the right to affirmatively 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.”