Globe Telecom is tightening its Change SIM (CSIM) security process when requesting a new or replacement SIM. This is after worrying reports of fraud and identity theft where the perpetrators gained access to their victims’ bank accounts through replacement SIM cards, including one lady who lost P41,000.

With more and more Filipinos using the Internet and mobile phones for banking and shopping, the number of fraud, identity theft and cybercrime incidents have increased. Fraudsters have taken advantage of the lax security measures in requesting a replacement SIM, since many Filipinos connect their online banking accounts to their mobile phone numbers.

Alarmed by this development, Globe has taken measures to review and tighten its Change SIM process. With the new security measures in place, it will now be harder for identity thieves and other cybercriminals to conduct fraudulent transactions using their victims’ personal data.

“Globe assures its customers that their personal data is protected. This is why we have instituted tighter security measures when it comes to Change SIM requests. The process now has a more rigorous verification process to ensure that the request is legitimate and that the new SIM is really owned by the customer who requested for it,” Globe General Counsel Atty. Froilan Castelo said.

When a customer requests a replacement for a lost or damaged SIM card, Globe will offer the customer a new SIM card with a new number. If the customer wants to retain his old number, he will need to prove ownership of the said number. This can be done by providing the old SIM (if available), the SIM card bed, and the Globe G-Cash card (if registered).

Once the customer has met the requirements, Globe will release the new SIM card after 24 hours. Previously, replacement SIM cards are released within a few minutes after the request.

Aside from proving ownership of the mobile number, the customer will also have to fill out CSIM Request Forms and mandatory CRM notes to comply with the requirements of the National Data Privacy Commission. The customer will then have to undergo post-checking through Q and A for compliance. Guidelines for Verification Questions will be enforced along with a limit to the allowable incorrect answers.

The new SIM cards will have LTE capabilities. Globe customers are encouraged to swap their old SIM cards for the newer LTE-enabled SIM cards to take advantage of the network’s expanded mobile coverage.

Source: Manila Bulletin