By 
By Emmanuel Yinka Fagbenle
Nigeria’s telecom regulatory agency has warned Nigerians against falling preys to online fraudsters seeking for their bank details. No financial or telecom organisation would ask citizens for their bank details via email or SMS, the regulator said at an awareness talks during the recent NCC Special Day at the 2019 Lagos International Trade Fair.
Cybercrimes and e-fraud are challenges facing financial and telecom operators as well as their customers. While there is no permanent fix for these problems, the regulator, in line with its mandate on consumer education, has warned citizens to be wary of prowlers seeking for easy preys.
Fraudulent individual use SMS and email to collect vital information of their victims as it concerns their bank details, said Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta. He was represented by the commission’s Head of Information and Reference Unit, Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC, Ismail Adedigba.
Danbatta said all telecoms consumers need to be careful when opening suspicious emails that are not familiar to them. Emails asking for personal and bank information should be reported immediately to the authority. Also emails purportedly seeking to inform consumers of errors that have been found in their bank information and requiring that they complete certain forms online with their bank or personal details should also be reported to the authorities Never give out your passwords or PIN codes on any online platforms including social media, added the NCC’s boss.
Danbatta assured that stated that as the NCC will continue to intensify efforts to deepen broadband access in Nigeria to make the internet more pervasive and affordable in spite of the negative activities of fraudsters working against the best use of the internet.
The NCC Day serves as a point of direct interaction between the regulator and telecoms consumers. The NCC used the platform to educate consumers on their rights, privileges as well as obligations as critical stakeholders in the telecom industry.
