Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has noted with concern that some subscribers using digital financial platforms are falling prey to scammers engaged in mobile money fraud.
“The scammers are running fake promotions and in some cases masquerading as employees of UCC or of a Mobile Network Operator (MNO), and requesting subscribers to enter codes in their phones, or to share their mobile money PIN in fulfillment of a fake requirement of registration,” UCC says in a statement.
It adds: “Such scams have resulted in a loss of considerable sums of money by unsuspecting subscribers, and more so during this COVID-19 lockdown, with subscribers increasingly using digital financial platforms due to limited mobility, and therefore desperate not to lose connectivity.”
To maintain a safe and secure communications services and digital financial environment, UCC says it continues to collaborate with the phone companies and security agencies to curb this vice.
Subscribers are advised to be vigilant and follow these guidelines:
- Don’t share your PIN over the phone or with any third party.
- Verify any SIM registration request with your service provider’s call centre (Call 100) or other channels established for consumer engagement (UCC Toll-Free – 0800 222 777).
- Ignore or report people who are talking of registering or disconnecting your phone number.
- Don’t use codes or approve transactions you do not know.
