NCC unveils feature to assist banks, telcos combat fraud

In a bid to tackle fraud linked to mobile numbers and strengthen digital security across sectors, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a new feature labelled the Telecoms Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS).

The development was announced by Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the commission, during a stakeholders’ consultative forum in Abuja on Thursday.

He disclosed that the platform will provide a unified framework for managing risks associated with mobile numbers.

Maida said mobile phone numbers, also known as MSISDNs, have become critical identifiers for financial transactions, digital authentication, and access to essential services.

However, he said vulnerabilities linked to recycled, swapped, and fraudulently used SIM cards have emerged as a major channel for financial crimes and identity theft.

“The fraudulent use of churned, recycled, swapped, and barred MSISDNs has become a significant vector for financial fraud and identity theft,” Maida said.

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“To address this, the commission has initiated the TIRMS platform to provide a secure, regulatory-backed, cross-sectoral system for managing risks relating to the integrity and utilisation of mobile numbers.”

The EVC said the platform will enable service providers, including banks and telecom operators, to verify mobile numbers flagged for suspicious or fraudulent activities before granting access to services.

He added that the system will also enhance accountability and improve trust in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

The NCC boss said the commission has proposed amendments to existing regulations to support the platform, including new rules requiring telecom operators to notify subscribers at least 14 days before deactivating their lines.

He said operators will also be mandated to submit details of churned numbers to the TIRMS platform within seven days, while a new framework will be introduced for blocking fraudulently registered SIM cards.

Maida added that the initiative reflects the commission’s push for cross-sector collaboration involving security agencies, financial regulators, telecom operators, and consumer groups.

By: Babajide Okeowo

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