Recently, many mobile phone users have reported that their personal information is being used to register multiple unfamiliar phone numbers. This has caused confusion and uncertainty about how to handle the situation, as mobile network operators have yet to provide specific instructions.

Sharing on this issue at the April press conference of the Ministry of Information and Communications , Deputy Director of the Telecommunications Department (Ministry of Information and Communications) Nguyen Phong Nha said that to address the problem of junk SIM cards, spam messages, and spam calls, the Ministry of Information and Communications has developed a tool that helps users check how many SIM cards they own.

Recently, the leaders of the Ministry of Information and Communications directed the Telecommunications Department to coordinate with network operators to change the SMS syntax for checking subscriber information via the 1414 number. Accordingly, with the new syntax, to look up information about the number of SIM cards they own, subscribers will have to provide their citizen identification number. This aims to protect the security of subscriber information for users.

W-nguyen-phong-nha-1.jpeg
Deputy Director of the Telecommunications Department Nguyen Phong Nha. Photo: Chi Hieu

Statistics show that mobile network operators have received 6 million text messages to the 1414 hotline, along with identification numbers to verify subscriber information. To date, mobile users have gradually become familiar with the new lookup syntax.

Between March 1st and March 31st, 2024, the Telecommunications Department recorded approximately 1.62 million documents, corresponding to 7.9 million SIM cards belonging to subscriber groups with 4 to 9 SIM cards.

To date, approximately 1,200 subscribers have contacted telecommunications companies, questioning the existence of unfamiliar SIM cards. As a result, network operators have removed these numbers from the list of customer complaints and implemented one-way and two-way blocking procedures for subscribers whose names and identification documents do not match.

" As a result, about 200 subscriber numbers have been blocked, which shows that network operators have actively participated in the process of standardizing subscriber information ," Deputy Director Nguyen Phong Nha commented.

Mobile network operators have now established strict and clear procedures to help users access information. Mobile users can also request the removal of their information from incorrect subscriptions. This helps ensure their rights and prevents the accidental blocking of legitimate subscriptions that users are using.

Disposal SIM cards with prefixes 093, 094, and 097 are being used to make fraudulent calls impersonating provincial leaders. After making these calls, the perpetrators also provide fake numbers impersonating government agencies, demanding that citizens and businesses transfer money.