Gatchalian warns Pinoys about new GCash scam ahead of SIM registration

by Ellson Quismorio

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has cautioned Filipinos on a recently discovered GCash scam ahead of the start of SIM card registration on Dec. 27. 

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian (Facebook)

Gatchalian cited a fraudulent email apparently coming from GCash Promotions advising recipients that their transactions have been restricted and to reinstate the said feature, recipients have to pre-register by simply clicking a link, a process that could potentially compromise their online security. This has been confirmed by the GCash Team as a scam.

SIM stands for subscriber identity module. It is used on mobile devices such as phones and tablets. 

“Ipinaglaban natin ang pagsasabatas ng SIM registration sa nakalipas na maraming taon dahil gusto nating protektahan ang mga gumagamit ng SIM laban sa panloloko ng cyber criminals (We fought for SIM registration enactment in past years because we want SIM users to be protected from cyber criminals),” Gatchalian said.

“Kailangan nating abisuhan ang ating mga kababayan na mag-ingat nang husto laban sa mga sari-saring pambibiktima ng mga kawatan (We need to warn our countrymen to be careful against these fraudsters’ various schemes),” he added.

GCash is a popular e-wallet maintained by one of the country’s major telecommunications companies. 

Starting Dec. 27 this year, SIM users need to register their SIMs within 180 days or six months, or else have their SIM cards deactivated from their respective service providers.

A co-author of Republic Act (RA) 11934, or the SIM Registration Act, Gatchalian also urged SIM users to register their respective SIMs as soon as possible, emphasizing that doing so would enable authorities to track criminal-minded individuals who take advantage of unsuspecting customers.

Gatchalian also said the law includes provisions that would ensure the protection of customers’ personal information.

“Identity theft is precisely one of the online schemes that we want to prevent relative to the enactment of the SIM registration law. The process for the disclosure of personal information is a rigid one that necessitates a court order,” he emphasized.

Gatchalian said SIM users need to make sure that they register only through a secure platform or website provided by their respective service providers. The process of registration requires the following information including full name, date of birth, gender, address, and valid government ID or similar documents with a photo, while business users must provide their business name, business address, and the full name of an authorized signatory.

NTC releases rules and regulations of SIM Registration Law

by Charie Mae F. Abarca

The implementing rules and regulations of the Republic Act No. 11934, otherwise known as the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act was released by the National Telecommunications Commission on Monday, Dec. 12.

RA 11934 aims to make end users accountable for their usage of mobile communications by mandating SIM registration. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed the controversial measure into law on Oct. 10, 2022.

Now that the IRR was released by the NTC, the measure will take full effect 15 days after its publication or on Dec. 27, 2022. 

SIM Cards (Pixabay)

Guidelines

Under the published IRR, all end users will be required to register their SIMs with their respective public telecommunication entities.

“All existing SIM subscribers shall register within 180 days from the effectivity of the Act. The registration may be extended for a period not exceeding 120 days,” the IRR read. 

Failure to comply with the said registration will result in the deactivation of a user’s SIM. A SIM may only be reactivated after registration, provided that it will be made not later than five days of “such automatic deactivation.”

Registration

The registration process, as previously mentioned by the NTC and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will be accomplished virtually through platforms that will be provided by respective SIM providers.

Individual registrants will be required to submit their full name, date or birth, sex, present or official address, type of identification card, and identification card number presented.

Government-issued identification cards that will be accepted include passport, Philippine Identification Card, Social Security Service ID, Government Service Insurance System e-Card, Driver’s License, National Bureau of Investigation Clearance, Police Clearance, Firearms’ License to Own and Possess ID, Professional Regulation Commission ID, Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration ID, Bureau of Internal Revenue ID, Voter’s ID, Senior Citizens card, Unified Multi-purpose Identification Card, Persons with Disabilities Card, and other valid government-issued IDs with photo.

Minor SIM users must provide any of the IDs previously mentioned along with consent of the minor’s parent or guardian to register the SIM. 

Juridical entity end-users, on the other hand, will be asked to submit their business name, business address, as well as full name and authorized signatory.

Unlike individual users, juridical entity subscribers must submit a certificate of registration. In the case of corporations, they must submit a duly adopted resolution designating the authorized representative, while in the case of juridical entities, a special power of attorney.

Meanwhile, foreign national end-users will be tasked to submit the following data: full name, nationality, date of birth, passport, address in the Philippines, ID number.

Penalties

Along with the guidelines, penalties were likewise highlighted under the published IRR.

Provision of false information or usage of fake identity to register a SIM may result in imprisonment ranging from six months to two years or a fine not less than P300,000 or both.

RA 11934’s IRR also prohibits the sale of a registered SIM. It has a penalty of imprisonment ranging from six months to six years, or a fine of P100,000 to P300,000 or both.

“Any public telecommunication entity, its agents, resellers, or entity that shall engage in the sale of stolen SIMs shall be criminally liable under the Act,” the IRR read. This will result in a penalty of imprisonment ranging from six months to two years, or a fine not less than P100,000 but not more than P300,000.

A fine of not less than P500,000 but not more than P4,000,000 will likewise be imposed upon public telecommunication entities, its agents, or employees if a breach of confidentiality occurs.