The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed plans to launch a cross-sector platform that will allow financial and security regulators to track recycled phone numbers to prevent fraud linked to SIM card reassignment.
To be known as the telecoms identity risk management system (TIRMS), the portal is expected to be launched by the end of March.
The portal is NCC’s solution to tackling issues related to SIM recycling, such as users receiving text messages meant for previous owners, or being investigated for offences allegedly committed by former users of those numbers.
“It has been in the works for over a year now,” sources at the commission said .
According to the document, the above challenges are said to present issues of security and integrity of phone number ownership, especially as NCC’s churn policy now interacts more with other industries.
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.”
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.
