*The National Identity Management Commission cautions against careless disclosure of personal data to unauthorised persons or entities, exposing Nigerian consumers to identity theft, cyberfrauds, and other criminal activities in the West African country’s identity management ecosystem

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

Against the rising wave of breaches of personal information details to unauthorised third parties, the National Identity Management Commission has warned Nigerians against a fraud involving the illegal sale of consumer data.

绿帽献妻 reports the data regulatory Commission said it would not take responsibility for any untold consequences citizens face through carefree sharing of their National Identification Numbers (NINs) with unauthorised parties in the data ecosystem.

NIMC’s caution followed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission鈥檚 (EFCC) recent disclosure that over 2,000 Nigerians have fallen victim to scammers who offer between N1,500 and N2,000 in exchange for their personal data.

The Commission also alleged such data is usually resold to Financial Technology (FinTech) companies for as much as N5,000.

Referencing a recent Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) statement, NIMC said: 鈥淭his fraud scheme is largely driven by an army of young Nigerians offering a paltry payment of between N1,500 and N2,000 to their victims to make them surrender a copy of their personal information details to them and sell the same information to some FinTech Institutions for about N5,000.鈥�

Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, in a statement also described the trend as 鈥渁 serious security concern鈥� with 鈥済rave consequences for the NIN holders鈥� in Nigeria.

Adegoke stated: 鈥淭he NIMC wishes to state clearly that it will not be held responsible for any personal information shared by an individual directly or by proxy for the purpose of financial gain or inducement.”

According to NIMC careless disclosure of personal data to unauthorised parties exposes Nigerian consumers to identity theft, fraud and other criminal activities.

The statement also reminded the general public that 鈥淣igerians have been informed repeatedly in the past by the NIMC not to disclose their NIN to any unauthorised individual or organisation.鈥�

The Commission as well cautioned the service providers to verify all NINs presented before granting access to any services.

The data regulator asserted that such verification is crucial for protecting users鈥� identities within the ecosystem.

The Commission further noted: 鈥淭o enjoy seamless benefits, including protection and control of their personal information, Nigerians are advised to download the NINAuth App on Apple iOS or Google Play Store.”

Digital identity security remains a shared responsibility, stated Adegoke.

NIMC, therefore, urged Nigerians to treat their NINs with the same level of confidentiality as their PINs or passwords for Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).

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