Some MTN Mobile Money (MoMo) customers, according to a Ghana News Agency report, have expressed dissatisfaction over the telecommunication company’s decision to introduce a valid ID card in its cash-out transaction.
The directive, which will take effect from Friday, April 2, 2021, would require customers to present any of the following ID cards – Ghana Card, Driving License, Passport, Voter’s ID and NHIS before any MoMo cash-out (withdrawal) transaction could be processed to curb MoMo fraud in the country.
But some of the customers are not happy with the directive, saying, carrying the ID cards for MoMo transaction would cause delays.
“This is not necessary. The network needs to only upgrade their systems to ensure that customers’ funds are safe from scammers, rather than asking for a national ID,” the news agency quoted one of the customers as saying in an interview.
Some of the customers also indicated that some of the agents work with fraudsters to perpetuate the acts of MoMo theft, and that giving IDs to these vendors would give fraudsters access to use their cards in registering new SIM cards to perpetuate crime.
The Chronicle believes MTN has genuine reason(s) for introducing this policy – to curb fraud. However, the concern or fear of the customers that information on their ID cards would fall into the hands of fraudsters should not be downplayed by MTN.
According to the Ministry of Communication, Ghana would soon embark on another registration of all mobile phone users. Like the MTN directive, this is also meant to eliminate fraud. Among the requirements for the registration of phone numbers is the Ghana Card and others that have also been listed by MTN, as well for new MoMo transaction.
As indicated by one of the customers, MTN, as a business entity, cannot deny the fact that its business has been infiltrated by criminals, masquerading as MoMo agents, and this is where the danger lies. Upon receipt of the customer’s unique number on his or her ID card, these criminals can easily use them to perpetuate all kinds of crimes, including bank transactions, without the knowledge of the original owner of the card.
They can also use the number on the card to register phones in the name of the holder and use it in all manner of dubious transactions, but should there be any problem, it is the original holder of the card that would be arrested.
The Chronicle is not suggesting that all MoMo agents are criminals – that is far from the truth – but the fact that some of them may have criminal intentions cannot be ruled out. We agree with those who may also argue that “these cards being demanded by MTN MoMo are already being used by the banks, so why the fear.”
Whilst admitting to this fact, we must also not gloss over the fact that the regular banks are well regulated and, therefore, using details on one’s ID Card to commit crime is minimal.
Regrettably, the same cannot be said about thousands of the MoMo agents dotted across the length and breadth of this country. Since every adult Ghanaian has a Voter’s Card, The Chronicle suggests to MTN to discuss with the government, the possibility of using this card for only MoMo transactions.
Government agreeing to this means Voter’s ID card cannot, apart from the MoMo business, be used for any other legitimate business in Ghana. In a nutshell, there will be no incentive for criminals who have infiltrated the MoMo business to use details on one’s Voter ID card to transact any business in the name of the holder.
But this should not be the end of the story – government must also select one of the nationals IDs – in this case Ghana Card, in all her business dealings, including the registration of phone numbers and transaction with the banks.
It is our contention that if our suggestion is accepted and adopted, it will kill the fears of customers that MoMo agents can use their card details to perpetrate crimes in their names. MTN mobile money has no doubt helped in easy transfer of money in the country, and nothing must be done to kill this laudable initiative, because people are afraid of their cards falling into the hands of criminals.
The post Editorial: Fears of MTN MoMo customers are genuine appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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