This archive report was first published on 19 May 2020.
On May 19, 2020, leading telecommunications service provider Safaricom introduced a new security service aimed at curbing mobile phone registration fraud.
The service will send users an SMS alert from 707, asking them to verify if they are the ones making the registration. Users will then be required to reply with either 'Yes' or 'No'.
Currently, the law requires telecoms firms to register SIM card owners after noting down their full name, identity card number, date of birth, gender, physical and postal address.
However, the advent of technology has also seen fraudsters come up with different methods, including stolen or forged national identity cards, to register different accounts and use the same to steal funds from other people's mobile accounts.
According to Safaricom, fraudsters use various techniques to try and steal personal identity information, including social engineering, which is aimed at causing the target to inadvertently reveal their private information.
"Fraud texts or calls will usually ask you to do something – like call back a certain number, share your ID number, urgently remind you to send money to a certain number, or send money for an 'emergency'. Often, the request will require you to respond immediately," says Safaricom.
Users are advised to forward such fraudulent messages to the Safaricom fraud reporting number 333 free of charge.
