If you have also issued a SIM in your name and given it to a friend, distant relative or an unknown person, or have forgotten to give your ID while purchasing the SIM, then this news is for you only. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a very strict warning. If any wrongdoing is done with the SIM in your name, then the bar of law will be used in such a way that even the good people will lose their sweat.
DoT has made it clear in its advisory issued on September 21 that if someone takes a fake SIM, tampers with the telecom identity or changes the IMEI number of the mobile, then it is okay now. Under the new Telecom Act, in such cases, a heavy fine of up to ₹ 50 lakh and jail up to 3 years can be imposed.
Do not give the SIM in your name to anyone
According to the news of CNBC, the Department of Telecommunication has warned that the SIM taken in your name should not be given to anyone else for use. Because if any cyber crime or illegal work is done with that SIM, then the police will not first search for the person who is using the SIM, rather they will come directly to your door because the SIM is in your name.
Chhattisgarh’s ‘SIM scandal’ became the reason
Actually, this strictness has been done after a big cyber fraud came to light recently. It so happened that a shopkeeper selling SIM in Chhattisgarh played a big game with the customers. People would go to him to get a SIM, he would take their identity card (ID) and without the customers even knowing, he activated 25 more mobile connections on the same ID.
When DoT’s digital intelligence platform detected this fraud, immediate action was taken. That cunning agent was blacklisted along with the telecom companies. All those 25 numbers were investigated and when found to be fake, they were blocked forever.
How to check your SIM card sitting at home
Now the biggest question is that how will you know that no one else is having fun with your ID? The government has made this method very easy:
Use Sanchar Saathi portal: Go to the government’s ‘Sancharsaathi’ portal (sancharsaathi.gov.in). Log in by entering your mobile number there. After this, you will see a list of all those numbers which are running in your name (ID).
Block fake numbers immediately: If you see any number in the list which you have not received or you do not recognize, then without any delay submit a request to block it from there.
Also check the IMEI of the phone: There is also a facility called ‘Check Genuineness of Your Mobile Handset’ on this portal. With this you can check whether your mobile is genuine or not by entering the IMEI number of your phone (this gives information about the brand, model and company).
