NIMC alerts Nigerians to NIN, national e-ID Card frauds

*The National Identity Management Commission urges Nigerians to beware of fake social media accounts, posing as official NIMC or ‘fan’ pages asking them to make payments to them to get their NINs, NIN Slips or e-ID cards

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As the country intensifies sensitisation and consumer awareness programmes ahead of the NIN-SIM integration October 31, 2021 deadline, and registration for the mandatory National Identification Number (NIN) and electronic Identity Card (e-ID Card), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has cautioned consumers that the acquisition of both NIN and e-ID Card in the country is free.

ConsumerConnect reports the Commission in a public notice on its corporate Web site noted that consumers should not pay  money when registering for these national regulatory instruments.

Photo: NIMC

NIMS said: “Do not pay anyone to obtain your NIN or e-ID card, they are FREE.

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“Beware of fake social media accounts (Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, etc.) posing as official NIMC or “fan” pages asking you to make payments to them to get your NIN, NIN Slip or e-ID card for you – you data could be acquired and used for criminal activities.

“Beware of fraudsters posing as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) agents or staff.”

The Commission as well urged Nigerians not to money to anyone offering to help them to speed up the NIN enrolment process or get the National e-ID card for them.

“You have to enrol and collect your card, when it is ready, yourself.

It further warned Nigerians against submitting their NINs or Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) to unauthorised Apps.

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NIMC stated: “Beware of dubious apps collecting your NIN or BVN details. Use only apps from NIMC and clearly identifiable, authorised NIMC partners.

“Beware of Unauthorised Apps Asking for your NIN (e.g. NIN Linker)

“NIMC will never ask you to upload your BVN or NIN on any unauthorised portal!

Nigerian consumers, therefore, are encouraged to “always use the NIMC Web site https://www.nimc.gov.ng for valid information on registration.

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“Beware of messages from people using dubious email addresses designed to resemble NIMC e-mails asking you to click on links to FAKE websites and upload your BVNs or NINs.”

The national identity regulatory Commission added that it is far safer for Nigerians to do online pre-enrolment themselves, using Personal Computers (PCs), Internet-enabled telephones and other devices, before heading for a NIMC enrolment centre near them.

For authentic NIN enrollment centres nationwide, NIMC directs Nigerians to visit: https://nimc.gov.ng/nimc-enrolment-centres/.

ConsumerConnect reports the National Identity Management Commission was established by the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, and the regulator has the mandate to establish, own, operate, maintain and manage the National Identity Database in Nigeria.