Phone numbers are now often considered the “trust anchor” for end-user accounts. In some cases, a user’s valid phone number is their user name. But what happens when the very phone numbers that are used to verify and keep end-users secure are given up, recycled and assigned to a new person?

Phone number recycling is the industry term that refers to the event when that deactivated/disconnected number gets reassigned to someone else. Data of recycled phone numbers are not available but is thought that if users are not diligent in updating their account information and telcos are not aware of numbers being recycled, it can lead to increased risks for the integrity of the account.

In the most basic scenario, the new owner of a phone number is now tied to the account that the former owner linked to that same number—providing access to someone else’s account. Alternatively, this can also lead to the true user being locked out and account notifications, security codes, password resets and other messages and alerts are not reaching the end-user

International Center for Investigative Reporting, (ICIR), recently wrote about confusions that have arisen as a result of SIM recycling.Imagine the frustration of a phone subscriber who is told by another that the line he or she is using is not his or hers?

Only recently, Anthony Okolia was illegally detained for possessing a phone line he purchased years after it was allegedly abandoned by Hanan Buhari, daughter of Nigeria’s President.

It was discovered that the accused had earlier registered the SIM. Fortunately, he was still in possession of the payment receipt.The incident generated some controversy. While some questioned legality of SIM swap, others expressed worry over unlawful detainment of the accused persons. There are several other Nigerians who have had similar SIM swap experience but not made their complaints public.

Last year December, Adeleke Adewolu, executive commissioner on Stakeholder Management (ECSM), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) attributed illegal SIM swaps as being responsible for the highest cyber threats recorded in the telecom sector.

David Ogala, a security consultant ha however urged the Nigerian Communications Commission to take steps to restore trust in mobile phone.He said that subscribers’ personal experience with services providers is the most significant factor in determining the level of trust.

Offpoint:
That's how I bought airtel line last year from their office, registered the line and went home. Two days later, I decided to register whatsapp with the line, that evening that's how I received whatsapp message.

A guy threatening me, telling me I stole his one month old 2 weeks ago and I even have the guts to start using the phone with his sim.

He threatened me with God, Ogun, sango, Poseidon, Hades, Odin, Amadioha, police, army... dude literally threatened me with everything he could.

I tried convincing him it's a new sim I just bought and was even surprised receiving his message cuz I've not given that number out yet.

The guy wasn't listening, after threats he was even begging I returned his phone cuz he saved for over a year to get that phone and he only used it for 2 weeks.

It wasn't until I showed him the sim card with the number on it before he believed me.

I was so pissed I call Airtel Care Deck and served them their own portion of what the guy served me... still not satisfied: I headed straight to their office and served them deserts.

Imagine if I was caught with such line in public, how will I convinced them that I didn't steal the guy's phone?

Re-assigning SIM is really dangerous.

theoneJabulani:
It's very dangerous. I was always receiving alerts from wema on a new Etisalat SIM I bought. Had to go and complain but it still hasn't stopped

PurestBoy:
I keep receiving this when I never lived in Lagos nor own a PHCN meter. What do I do?

edoairways:

Blame that dude for leaving his line inactive for more 90 days.

theoneJabulani:
It's very dangerous. I was always receiving alerts from wema on a new Etisalat SIM I bought. Had to go and complain but it still hasn't stopped

PurestBoy:
I keep receiving this when I never lived in Lagos nor own a PHCN meter. What do I do?

edoairways:

Blame that dude for leaving his line inactive for more 90 days.

Offpoint:
That's how I bought airtel line last year from their office, registered the line and went home. Two days later, I decided to register whatsapp with the line, that evening that's how I received whatsapp message.

A guy threatening me, telling me I stole his one month old 2 weeks ago and I even have the guts to start using the phone with his sim.

He threatened me with God, Ogun, sango, Poseidon, Hades, Odin, Amadioha, police, army... dude literally threatened me with everything he could.

I tried convincing him it's a new sim I just bought and was even surprised receiving his message cuz I've not given that number out yet.

The guy wasn't listening, after threats he was even begging I returned his phone cuz he saved for over a year to get that phone and he only used it for 2 weeks.

It wasn't until I showed him the sim card with the number on it before he believed me.

I was so pissed I call Airtel Care Deck and served them their own portion of what the guy served me... still not satisfied: I headed straight to their office and served them deserts.

Imagine if I was caught with such line in public, how will I convinced them that I didn't steal the guy's phone?

Re-assigning SIM is really dangerous.

godwingenesis472:


https://m.guardian.ng/technology/sim-recycling-rings-danger-for-phone-users/

Sunisonflex39:
this is what I saw in my dreams last night. all correct scores



oh lord are u the one speaking..
no harm in trying o.. let me play it with 200 naira. all correct scores


when I chop, make una no say I no help una o. I Don dey spread the good news


Barcelona 4-0 Granada


Real Madrid 3-1 Seville


Arsenal 3-1 Sheffield


Man city 4-0 crystal palace


Villarreal 2 - 0 espanyol


West Brom 2-0 stoke city


Play with 200 n win

Timileyin1234:
See bogus arrears

Kingosytex:



All these prophets wey dey Naija suppose put heads together give guys like 5 correct scores make guys hammer once and for all.