Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned telephone subscribers not to share National Identity Number (NIN) and Subscribers Identity Modules (SIM) cards with others because of the risks involved.
The commission’s Director of Consumer Affairs Bureau, Efeosa Edehen, handed down the warning at Garki International market, Abuja, during a consumer conversation event organised by the NCC.
Edehen cautioned telephone users to be extremely wary about the use of their phones, particularly who had access to them as they could fall into wrong hands and be used to commit crimes which could be traced to their innocent owners through the NIN or SIM card and be held liable for what they knew nothing about.
“Do not help other people to link their SIM cards with your NIN. Handle your phone with care, be careful how you give your 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/offence 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.
“Consumers have the right to receive clear and complete terms and conditions for service agreement and disclosures of price for goods and services, and 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 or advertisement or labelling,” he said.