The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) continues its efforts to ensure consumers can safely enjoy using their telecoms services with peace of mind. The latest measure taken by the TRA began on the 12th of July, 2017 with the introduction of a regulation which requires operators to introduce a secure way to verify identities of SIM card holders.
“It’s been determined in the past that a high number of individuals have been taken advantage of because of a security gap when consumers take on SIM enabled services, mainly due to the verification process not being sufficient.” Says TRA Consumer Affairs Manager, Ms. Mariam Al Mannai, “It was brought to our attention that consumers have had multiple SIM cards in their name without their knowledge, and they discovered they had to pay for services they never asked for. This, of course, was unacceptable and TRA had to take action.”
In light of this development, operators worked together with TRA to stop criminals from assuming people’s identities. Operators cooperated fully and recommended biometric scans as the best way to impede this kind of activity and safeguard consumers from being victims of fraud. Consumers are asked to complete registration of the verification process by approaching their respective service providers at any of their retail branches. Consumers with postpaid lines have until the 2nd of June 2018 to verify their registrations before their lines are suspended and will have until the 2nd of September 2018 to lift the suspension. Likewise, consumers with prepaid lines have until the 2nd of March 2019 before lines are suspended, and will be given until the 2nd of June 2019 to lift the suspension.