Don’t share your NIN, SIM cards with anyone, ATCIS warns subscribers

By Rasaq Adebayo

The Association of Telephone, Cable TV and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS) has warned telephone subscribers in Nigeria against sharing their phones, National Identity Number (NIN) and SIM cards to avoid the risks involved which could lead to jail term.

Speaking during a sensitisation rally organised by the executive members of the association including the National Treasurer Alh. Zakariyua Kaka, Financial Sec. Mrs. Felicia Ameachi, Director Subscriber Welfare, Mrs. Abimbola Adekunle accompanied by DSS officials in Lagos on Friday, the association’s National President, Hon. Prince Sina Bilesanmi aka Ojueko, said subscribers would be held liable for any crime committed by those they share their cards with.

According to him, there are dangers in sharing SIM cards which every potential subscriber must avoid.

He said the rate at which subscribers fall victims made the association under the watch of DSS organise the sensitisation programme with the the theme “Know Your Rights and Obligations as a Telecom Subscriber” at Mile12 International Market, Lagos to preach and educate various tribes in the market about the dangers inherent in sharing their SIM cards and phones.

Bilesanmi warned that subscribers must be extremely careful with their devices so that they do not fall into the hands of wrong people who would use them to commit crimes, saying emphasising that such crimes would be traced to the owner of the device through the NIN or SIM card.

He said: “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 or offence someone else commits 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 added.

He further said: “Subscribers 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 labeling.”

He noted that in its sustained effort in protecting the interest and right of telecoms subscribers in Nigeria, ATCIS has spent about N370million since 2014 till date, which has basically been on self-sponsored by members without any support from government agencies such as NCC, NBC, FCCPC and NIMC.

“The association has made over 700 newspaper publications, both local and international as well as online news publication, Radio and National Television Station Interviews with about 120 success landmark achievements so far,” he said.

He therefore solicited financial support from the public to carry out other activities lined up for the libration of subscribers, saying the association could be reach through its mail: atcisnigeria@gmail.com and 07052713300.