28th September, 2017
The Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC) on Thursday said it was partnering with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to sensitise customers on mobile money banking fraudsters.
Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC made this known at the Consumer Conversation Forum held in Minna.
The forum was the fifth Consumer Conversation Forum organised by the commission within the North Central geopolitical zone.
Danbatta, who was represented by the Zonal Operations of NCC, Ms Helen Obi said it was important for the bank to talk to other banks to sensitise their customers on the issue.
According to the NCC boss, the sensitization is not to allow customers fall prey to fraudulent banking activities, especially as it regards to the disclosure of their Bank Verification Number (BVN).
“We entered a Memorandum of Understanding with the CBN to try and sort out the challenge customers are having with mobile money banking, especially with BVN.
“The reason for the MOU is to enlighten them to ignore deceitful or fraudulent message if sent to their mobile phones,’’ he said.
Danbatta said that the Consumer Conversation Forum was aimed at protecting, educating and empowering telecom consumers to know their rights as they played a strategic role in ensuring sustainable growth and development in the telecom sector.
He said that the commission was not leaving any stone unturned in ensuring that consumers got satisfaction from the services rendered by their telecom operators.
He debunked insinuations that the telecom masts transmit hazardous radiation as widely believed, saying `it is wrong’’.
“The antenna is positioned far away from human reach, therefore doesn’t pose any risk to human life.
“The commission has put in place guidelines that regulate the installation of telecom masts as well as consideration of environmental factors.
“Empowering the consumer is one of the commission’s driving forces for the year having declared it as the Year of the Telecom Consumer,” he said
He urged consumers to take advantage of sending “STOP” to the 2442 code to stop all unsolicited text messages, or “HELP” to the same code to be availed with options of interest.
He called on consumers to make their complaints to the commission via its toll-free line -622 if they were not satisfied with services from their telecom operators.
One of the participants, Mr Abdulahi Musa, the Desk Officer, Abdulsalami Youth Centre, Minna said that the forum was an opportunity for consumers to discuss the problems they encountered in their networks.
Musa said that the forum was a welcome development, adding that NCC should ensure that it was taken to every zone in the country.
Another participant, Mr Ahmed Bello said that NCC should ensure that all problems discussed in the forum were given adequate attention.