The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Thursday warned Nigerians against sharing their phones, National Identity Number (NIN) and SIM cards with others because of the risks involved.
The Commission maintained that anybody caught in the act would be held liable for any crime committed with such sensitive information.
Its Director of Consumer Affairs Bureau, Mr. Efeosa Edehen, sounded the warnings at Garki International Market, Abuja, during a consumer conversation event organised by the NCC.
The event aimed at sensitising telecom consumers had the theme, “Know your rights and obligations as a telecom consumer”.
Edehen warned that Nigerians must be extremely careful with their devices so they don’t fall into the hands of wrong people who would use them to commit crime and later it 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/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,” Edehen added.
HE said: “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.”