As complaints over SIM swap fraud and mobile money scams continue to rise, Econet Wireless has intensified its SIM registration compliance exercise, urging subscribers to update their registration details through official channels.
The mobile network operator recently advised customers who receive registration update messages to use the MyEconet application or designated WhatsApp platforms, warning them to use only official Econet and EcoCash channels and never share their PINs, passwords or one-time passwords (OTPs).
The move follows reports from subscribers who said fraudsters had fraudulently replaced their SIM cards, taken control of their phone numbers and accessed their EcoCash and banking accounts.
Stanley Dube urged Econet to do more than encourage line registration.
"Econet has the power and the right to follow up on these scammers using your name to steal people's hard-earned money. If you are honest enough, take action," he said.
Others said subscribers also have a responsibility to protect their personal information by avoiding the sharing of OTPs and buying unregistered SIM cards from street vendors.
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The exercise has also renewed concerns over the sale of unregistered SIM cards by informal vendors, a practice that has long been linked to telecommunications violations and fraudulent activities.
The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) says compulsory SIM registration is intended to combat criminal activity and abuse of telecommunications services. It warned that subscribers must provide accurate information when registering SIM cards, as non-compliant lines risk being disconnected.
Several subscribers welcomed the exercise, saying tighter registration requirements could help reduce scams and fraudulent transactions.
Lionel Zvomuya said:
"We appreciate whoever pushed Econet and other mobile service providers to do this. It was long overdue. This move may help reduce scams, fake registrations and fraudulent transactions."
The renewed compliance exercise comes after several reported SIM swap fraud cases, including that of Avondale resident Itai Chitimbe, whose mobile number was allegedly taken over by fraudsters before his brother was deceived into losing US$8,000.
SIM swap fraud involves criminals using stolen personal information to obtain replacement SIM cards, intercept verification codes and gain access to victims' mobile money and banking accounts.
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