Warning Issued To Mobile Money Users As New SIM Card Rules Take Effect

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has ramped up regulatory oversight on mobile network operators to combat rising cases of SIM swap fraud and unauthorized access to digital financial accounts.

According to the regulator’s first-quarter Consumer Complaints Report covering July to September 2026, identity theft and fraudulent SIM replacements remain major threats to mobile wallet holders.

Mobile operators are now required to enforce rigorous identity authentication—including automated risk checks and physical verification—before approving any SIM replacement request.

During a recent session before the National Assembly’s Public Petitions Committee, CA Director General David Mugonyi also outlined new safeguards governing the deactivation and recycling of inactive mobile numbers.

Telcos are then required to observe a mandatory three-month notification window using all registered Know Your Customer (KYC) details before a dormant number can be permanently deactivated and reassigned.

For mobile money users, losing a line to deactivation without retrieving linked funds or updating banking alerts creates severe financial exposure.

Security advisories indicate that cybercriminals frequently exploit weak personal security habits to hijack mobile numbers.

Once fraudsters gain control of an active SIM card, they can intercept one-time passwords (OTPs), reset mobile money PINs, and drain linked bank or digital loan accounts.

Consumers have also been warned against falling for social engineering tricks, such as fake messages threatening imminent line suspension unless the user clicks a malicious link.

Additionally, authorities have cautioned citizens against buying pre-registered SIM cards from unauthorized street hawkers, noting that illegal hawking attracts severe legal penalties.

To stay protected under the updated regulatory framework, mobile money users are advised to verify that their KYC registration details with their network provider are complete and accurate.

Finally, users are reminded to activate self-whitelisting locks where available, keep their mobile money PINs strictly confidential, and report any sudden loss of network signal immediately to their service provider.

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