By Joy Baba-Yesufu
Authorities of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned that individuals are prone to losing their life savings if their phones are stolen or misplaced.
The authorities said a lot of people are highly ignorant that fraudsters, after stealing phones can gain access to their bank accounts, steal their identities, names, address, bank information, defraud people and in some extreme cases, apply for loans with same information.
Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the commission, Professor Umar Danbatta, gave the warning during a telecom consumer sensitization programme with the theme “Shine Your Eyes, No Fall Mugu” held in Keffi, Nassarwa state.
The EVC, who was represented by Head, consumer protection and advocacy, Mr. Clement Omife said attackers are now targeting telecoms networks with the intent to disrupt service delivery and infiltrate their data bank, SIM swaps and Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, (USSD)
He further said USSD e-payment frauds are currently some of the serious cyber threats in the telecom industry adding that fraudsters conduct SIM swaps of individuals and then, conduct USSD-based transactions which cost victims huge losses.
He said “a lot of people are highly ignorant to how losing their phones to fraudsters can lead to a complete clean-up of their bank accounts. These fraudsters do this by stealing victims’ identities; name, address, bank information of other people which they use in gaining access to their bank accounts: They also use the stolen identity to defraud other people and even apply for loans, leaving the victim with debts.
“It is in view of this and in line with the Commissions Consumer Centric posture that the Commission, in collaboration with relevant advocacy groups embarked on the sensitization programme tagged “Shine Your Eyes – No Fall Mugu” in locations across the country.
“This programme is a deliberate and intentional advocacy initiative on consumer protection through sensitization and awareness on how to avoid falling prey to fraudsters. Furthermore, the Commission also collaborates with critical stakeholders such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and other relevant agencies in the fight against e-banking fraudsters”.
He urged consumers to be careful about opening unfamiliar emails or responding to unfamiliar inquiries and report suspicious E-fraud to their banks and telecom service provider.
