NCC TO CURB SIM RECYCLING FRAUD WITH NEW PORTAL, CBN, SEC TO HAVE DATA ACCESS
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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is going to start a new platform that will let financial and security officials follow recycled phone numbers. This is to stop fraud that happens when SIM cards are reassigned.
Known as the telecoms identity risk management system (TIRMS), the portal is expected to be launched by the end of March.
The portal, as the media understands, is NCC’s way of dealing with problems caused by SIM card recycling. These problems include people getting text messages meant for old users or being looked into for crimes that were supposedly committed by previous owners of those numbers.
A source told the media that this has been in the planning stages for more than a year.
The document says these issues are causing problems with the security and authenticity of phone number ownership, especially since NCC’s churn policy is now connecting with other industries more closely.
The agency said the portal will collect and share data on churned (recycled) mobile numbers and numbers flagged for fraudulent activities across sectors.
“The NCC has addressed this challenge by developing a cross-sector platform called the Telecom Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) Portal that collects and shares data on churned (recycled) phone numbers as well as numbers that have been flagged as having been used for fraudulent activities, as reported by other sector regulators,” the document reads.
“The goal is to prevent the misuse of numbers when they change hands. The information on this platform will be made available to relevant stakeholders across various sectors.
“It is worth noting that this requires significant dialogue as KYC needs of different sectors vary and need to interact properly.”
‘CBN, SEC TO ACCESS RECYCLED SIM DATA’
The document said the platform, which has been built and tested with telecoms operators, will be hosted by the commission but made accessible to key stakeholders, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), pension regulators, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and security agencies.
It said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the CBN is being finalised to operationalise the system upon launch, adding that the platform, whose development began in March 2024, will go live after the conclusion of consultations with relevant stakeholders.
It is understood that the NCC has commenced amendments to the quality of service (QoS) regulations of 2024 and the registration of communications subscribers regulations of 2022 to support the deployment of TIRMS.
“A consultation on the proposed amendments to the Business Rules of the Quality of Service Regulations 2024 and the Registration of Communications Subscribers Regulations 2022 is currently underway and is expected to be concluded before the end of March 2026,” the NCC document said.
“Upon completion of the review, the revised rules will provide for the notification of line owners whose numbers are about to be churned, using alternative contact channels within a specified timeframe prior to the disconnection.”
“The amendments will also establish the regulatory framework for warehousing churned numbers within TIRMS, enable controlled access for relevant sectors, and create clear procedures for blocking numbers that have been implicated in fraudulent activities.”
It added that subscribers who wish to retain unused numbers can utilise the “line parking” provision under the QoS business rules, which allows a line to be preserved for one year at a minimal cost to prevent it from being classified as inactive.
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