While apprehension continues to build concerning the security
of mobile money banking, telecommunications company MTN, has began a strong
battle against identity theft with special security proof that will secure all
data stored in the SIM of its subscribers.
This initiative, the first of its kind in the industry is
expected to put identity theft at bay even as the mobile money banking system seems
to take its rightful place in the economy.
The battle against identity theft was made known to the media
last week during the media launch of the MTN Special Security Number in Lagos.
While unveiling the new value added service(VAS) from the
stable of MTN to its customers, which comes at no cost, the general manager
customer relations, MTN, Mr. Akinwunmi Braithwaite said that the new VAS
designed to address the anxiety that security of data in SIM card has brought
to bear on its customers.
According to him, the desire for a VAS that would address
this peculiar need of data security of its customers was due to the concept in
MTN that the customer owns the MTN brand.
He disclosed that
about 200 staff of the company had brainstorm on what to do to add value to the
life of its customers saying that the introduction of the Special Security
Number was one of the concepts that came out of that task.
Braithwaite recalled that before the introduction of the
security number, a lot of people have been victims of identity theft stressing
that since the mobile phones have become a special device it now contains about
80 per cent of the entire data that concerns the life of the user.
He stated that since most identity theft are committed by
people who are close to owner of the phone accessing data in the SIM becomes
easy steal whatever data that are in the phone.
While giving details of how a customer on the MTN network can
be begin to enjoy the service of the security number, he said the Security
Number consists of 12 digits
Customer Identification number and four digits Security Key
that is totally unique and personal to each customer and is already being forwarded
to customers via SMS.
He said further that He said customers who have registered their
SIMs but have not received notification of their MTN Security Number, can visit
any MTN Walk-in Centre closest to them or call MTN customer care toll free
line-180, adding that upon verification of ownership of the customer’s SIM, the
security number will be sent to him/her.
The newly introduced MTN Security Number gives customers full
access to MTN’s entire service channels like Walk-incentres, Customer Care Help
line 180, Web Self Service and My IVR-181 as well as empowering customers to
resolve most of their issues using a number of avenues, including telephone and
the Internet.
Describing the new VAS as an open door to a world of
convenience and Do It Yourself (DIY) for MTN customers, Braithwaite, said that
the MTN Security Number affords customers security and protection from mobile fraud
and offers uniform authentication and unique identity on the MTN network.
He stated that the the security number is very important and
customers must protect it, keep it
private and not disclose it to anyone adding it will not be held liable for any
loss or damage resulting from the disclosure of the number to third parties.
While answering questions from journalist, general manager, corporate affairs, Mrs. Funmi
Omogbenigun, said that the first step towards securing data on the SIM was done
when subscribers registered their SIM saying that with the security number, MTN
customers can now do business without someone hacking into the database in
their SIM.
According
to her, it is mandatory for all MTN subscribers to have the security number
adding that if for any reasons the number is compromised the number can be
change,
She
however advised that it is important that the user do repeated change of the
number explaining that while the first 12 digits comes from MTN, the user is
expected to generate the other four digits.
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