How to protect yourself from the crooks of the SIM card

The Kenya Communications Authority has warned mobile phone users against potential fraudsters.

Here are some tips given by the mobile phone regulator and Safaricom on how to protect yourself from fraudsters.

• Never share personal information: Do not respond to calls or emails requesting personally identifiable information such as mobile money, national identification number, bank account PIN and date of birth unless you are sure of the person with whom you correspond.

• Do not give your PIN (M-Pesa, SIM): Your PIN is your secret Never disclose your PIN to anyone.

• Slow down: The crooks want you to act fast and think later. If requests express a sense of urgency or use high pressure tactics, be skeptical

• Remove requests for financial information or pbadwords.

• Beware of unsolicited messages: If requests seem to come from a company use, do your own research.

• Protect pbadwords, birthdates, and national identification numbers.

• Be aware of the official customer support number (Safaricom 0722 000 000, Airtel 0733 100100) supplier, police or the National Cybercrime Management Office on, 0730172700 or [email protected]