With registration of SIM cards starting on Tuesday (December 27), the Department of Information and Communication Technology is warning people against phishers or those who will try to convince unsuspecting victims to pre-register.
With the start of registration of SIM cards this December 27, cybercriminals are busy looking for victims. So don’t just give away your personal data to just anyone through emails.
The release of the implementing rules and regulations of the SIM (subscriber identity module) card registration early this month specified the start of registration this December 27.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said the emails of these phishers instruct the unsuspecting victims to participate in a pre-registration process so their e-wallet and mobile payment applications would be “reactivated.”
“[Subscribers] are advised not to provide personal information to the senders nor click on links that may be included in the email messages,” DICT added.
Such emails are a form of phishing, which is a fraudulent activity where users are being tricked into providing sensitive information.
All existing SIM Subscribers must register with their respective Public Telecommunication Entity (PTE) within 180 days of the law’s effectivity.
The IRR of the SIM Registration Act was released on December 12 followed by the law’s effectivity and start of registration on December 27, 2022 and ending on April 26, 2023.
However, the law also allowed DICT to extend the registration for a period not exceeding 120 days.
Filipinos who failed to register within the set period may still apply for registration until July 2023. (
Failure to register your SIM card within the allotted period will result in automatic deactivation.
Starting December 27, 2022, new SIMs will be sold in “deactivated mode.” Additionally, other than regular SIMs, embedded SIMs, broadband modem, and internet-of-things devices must also be registered.
To register, the SIM owner must duly accomplish a control-numbered electronic registration form which requires your full name, date of birth, sex, and address.
The form will also ask for the assigned SIM number with its serial number.
In addition, the form may be found on a platform or website of respective PTEs, where users must declare that the documents presented are true and correct and that they are the same person who accomplished the form.
Below are the SIM Card Registration links for different Telecommunication Companies:
GLOBE – https://new.globe.com.ph/simreg (See guide for Globe SIM registration here.)
SMART – https://smart.com.ph/simreg (See guide for Smart SIM registration here.)
DITO – via DITO APP (See guide for DITO SIM registration here.)
A SIM may be registered for minors, but it shall be under the name of their parents/guardians who gave their consent and are also registered.
Foreign nationals staying as tourists for less than 30 days must register their name, nationality, passport number, and address in the Philippines.
Tourists must present their passport, proof of address in the Philippines, as well as return ticket to their own country or any other ticket, which shows the date and time of their departure from the Philippines.
For foreign nationals with other types of visas and staying for more than 30 days, they are required to present the following: passport; proof of address in the Philippines; Alien Employment Permit issued by the Department of Labor and Employment; Alien Certificate of Registration ID; school registration ID for students; or other pertinent documents. Their registered SIMs are only valid for 30 days and shall be automatically deactivated upon expiration of validity.
Corporations may also register a SIM needed for their day-to-day business by presenting: certificate of registration; a duly-adopted resolution designating their duly-authorized representative; special power of attorney for the registration of SIM of other juridical entities.
Since telcos already have the data they need of postpaid subscribers, users are only required to confirm their information needed in the SIM registration through the telco’s platform or website.
For those in remote areas with limited internet connectivity, the DICT, NTC, DILG, and DepEd, including telcos, will help in SIM Registration.
The law states that those who provide false information or use fraudulent IDs during registration will face imprisonment from six months to two years plus a fine of up to P300,000. The same penalties apply to those who spoof a registered SIM or sell a stolen SIM will face the same punishment.
The sale or transfer of a registered SIM without compliance with the required registration process will also face penalties, including imprisonment and fines.
Tags: #DICT, #SIMcardregistration, #telcos