Mobile networks must not be complacent with SIM swap fraud and must prioritize customer protection. This is according to his Gur Geva, founder and CEO of iiDENTIFii.
“While SABRIC notes in its latest report that there has been a slight decline in reports of SIM swap fraud, mobile service providers are still stepping up data security to prevent fraudsters using false identities and SIM swap fraud. “We need to protect them from the virus,” Geva said.
This is especially important as the telecommunications and banking industries are becoming increasingly intertwined. Currently, FICA and RICA regulatory requirements are aligned, as banks provide mobile services and mobile network operators provide financial services. This change increases the risk of identity theft and requires mobile phone operators to adopt strict identity verification practices inspired by financial industry standards.
Telecom operators must define practical and robust security solutions that comply with and exceed current telecommunications laws. Geva said: “To combat SIM swapping and identity fraud, networks must focus on providing simple, scalable and secure digital identities. It also has far-reaching implications for consumers' ability to access mobile, financial, and government services through their phones.”
Current status of SIM exchange fraud
SABRIC's 2022 Crime Report states that mobile banking fraud decreased by 9% in reported cases in 2022, and SIM swap incidents decreased from 87% in 2021 to 76% (7,657 cases) in 2022. I am. Although this reduction is positive, the damage continues. Thousands of SIM swap fraud cases are reported every year.
“As cybercrime continues to evolve, networks must prepare for increasingly sophisticated SIM swap attacks. Their strongest line of defense is protecting the identity of individuals to each SIM,” Geva said. says Mr.
The effectiveness of this approach has been demonstrated in countries such as Kenya, Namibia, Pakistan, and Russia, all of which have implemented varying levels of biometric SIM enrollment to thwart fraudsters.
Strengthening laws to prevent attacks
The nature of these SIM-related crimes extends beyond financial crimes and SIM swap fraud.
“By simply purchasing a few unregistered R5 SIM cards from a roadside vendor, murder plots can no longer be tracked by police through RICA and are effectively risk-free,” said the DA's Director of Communications and Digital Technology. says Natasha Mazzone, Minister of State. Articles about the RICA Act.
In 2022, ICASA published draft regulations requiring mobile network operators to collect biometric data of their subscribers. ICASA said these regulations will reduce instances of mobile number hijacking through fraudulent SIM swaps and number porting. However, this has been met with hesitation from consumers and organizations such as the Communication Risk Information Center (COMRiC). Consumers were concerned that the collection of biometric data would compromise their privacy, but COMRiC believes that biometrics as a single solution is limited in scope and cannot be implemented at scale. I found it difficult to do so.
What you can do with the network
Mobile networks (as owners of SIMs and the technology behind them) must consider implementing clear strategies and cutting-edge technology to mitigate SIM swap fraud and protect their customers. SIM replacement is one problem, but identity fraud is an even bigger problem.
“We believe facial biometrics provides the most secure solution when it comes to protecting a person’s identity,” Geva adds.
In South Africa, facial biometrics can verify that the person registering a SIM is alive and doing so, as well as linking the SIM card to the applicant's identity and facial image. We can verify the barcoded ID you present, your RICA or FICA details, and the facial image sent back to the Home Office. This prevents identity fraud and proves that individuals applying for services online are “live” people and not deepfakes. SIM swap is controversial because all her SIM cards are data bound to a legitimate individual with her exact RICA requirements.
Monitoring issues
Biometrics are deeply personal, but opt-in biometrics do not expose consumers to surveillance.
“Biometric technology has only recently become mainstream, so consumers are still unsure about what it means and how it is used. This is not surprising. However, it does lead to some misconceptions and fears. In fact, opt-in biometrics are the most secure way to identify individuals and protect their information and identity from misuse. It’s very different from certification,” Geva says.
Remote biometric onboarding links biometric data, such as a face or fingerprint, to an account so that only that person can securely access it. This protects you from fraud.
implementation issues
Successfully deploying mobile phone biometric IDs in Africa to protect consumers and businesses from SIM-related crimes will need to meet two key criteria: scalability and accessibility.
“We urge African network providers to invest in enterprise-grade identity platforms that are robust, scalable, and built to handle growing subscriber and fraud prevention demands,” Geva said. . “For example, most of South Africa's leading banks rely on iiDENTIFI's unique enterprise-grade platform to deploy fast and effective mobile banking verification initiatives at scale. We have proven that consumers are willing to go through an additional layer of digital protection if they use a tool that does not.”
“SIM swapping remains a huge problem and networks have a long way to go to protect consumers. Protecting the identity of every SIM at the time of registration could go a long way in protecting against SIM-related crimes. Masu.”