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'False prepaid SIM card registration can cause serious implications'

, New Straits Times

KUALA LUMPUR: The stern enforcement and action on false prepaid SIM card registration shows that such fraudulent action cannot be taken lightly.

The Communications and Multimedia Consumer Forum of Malaysia (CFM) Executive Director Datuk Mohd Shafie Harun said this sort of unethical practice must stop immediately.

"Both consumers and prepaid registration dealers must understand that false registration for a prepaid SIM card has serious implications.

"Activities such as prepaid numbers being used for criminal activities, identity fraud, scams and identity theft are just the tip of iceberg of repercussions due to such unethical practice," he said in a statement today.

Recently, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had issued fines totalling RM920,000 to Celcom Axiata Berhad, Merchantrade Sdn Bhd, U Mobile Sdn Bhd, Tune Talk Sdn Bhd, Maxis Mobile Services Sdn Bhd and Maxis Broadband Sdn Bhd, for breaching their licence conditions, specifically for failing to ensure proper registration of accurate user information for prepaid accounts.

Applauding the action, Mohd Shafie said CFM would continue to advocate awareness on scams through the misuse of communication services for criminal activities.
Collaborative campaigns with relevant government agencies would be carried out this year to equip consumers with education and awareness to prevent such abuse, he said.

According to him, all relevant parties including consumers should be responsible users of communications services and always exercise their rights in all transactions.

He said CFM would also take this issue up with its members comprising Service Providers and Consumers Associations for discussions on the actions to be taken by the Service Providers to ensure such practices do not prolong.

"Consumers can make a report to CFM's Online Complaint Portal at www.complaint.cfm.org.my or via CFM's toll free number 1-800-18-2222 or write in to [email protected]

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