A step-by-step guide to｠SIM card registration
Have you ever received a random text message saying you won a huge amount of money and the only way to claim it is to give the unknown texter your personal information? It is highly likely that message came from a scammer who will use your information against you or steal the money you worked so hard for.
Even today, a lot of people still fall for this kind of scam. Considered a cyber crime not only in the Philippines but around the world as well, text/online scamming is rampant as ever, specially now as we enter the digital era of e-wallets, online banking, and other virtual financial systems.
With this in mind, the government has instituted measures to protect Filipinos against this criminal activity through the Republic Act No. 11934, also known as the SIM Card Registration Act.
Signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last October 2022, the SIM Card Registration Act aims to provide accountability for people who use SIM cards and help law enforcers track down perpetrators of crimes committed through the use of cell phones.
The government views this law as a way of boosting its initiatives against scams done through text and online messaging.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) have informed the public that deadline for SIM registration is on April 26, 2023 and cannot be rescheduled, in accordance with the signed law.
Failure to register a SIM card will result in its automatic deactivation and can only be reactivated by telecommunication companies after complete, proper registration requiring users to present a valid governmentissued ID or similar documents with a photograph to verify their identity.
Moreover, minors can also register their SIM as long as there is a parent or guardian consenting to their registration.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to register your SIM card, in accordance with the Sim Card Registration Act.
1. Access the SIM Registration website (for Globe and SMART), or application (for DITO
The SIM Card Registration Act aims to provide accountability for people who use SIM cards and help law enforcers track down perpetrators of crimes committed through the use of cell phones.
Telecommunity). Here are their respective links:
• SMART: smart.com.ph/simreg
• Globe: new.globe.com.ph/simreg
• DITO Telecommunity: dito.ph/RegisterDITO
2. Enter your 10-digit mobile number and click the “Register” or “Send OTP” button.
3. If eligible to register, you will receive an OTP text message on your mobile phone.
4. Enter the 6-digit OTP on the registration website. Take note that the OTP expires in five minutes.
5. After your OTP is validated, proceed to the registration.
6. Enter all required information, specifically your name, birthday, gender, address, and nationality.
7. Take/prepare a picture of yourself and your government-issued ID.
8. Select the type of government-issued ID to be uploaded. Click the “Upload/Take a Photo” button to upload a copy of your valid government-issued ID and your photo.
9. Tick the checkbox to agree with the Privacy Notice, Attestation of Completeness and Accuracy, Marketing and Promotional Permissioning, and Data Sharing.
10. Click the “Submit” or “Next” button to finish the registration process.
11. A reference number will then appear on your screen to signify that the registration is complete. Please keep the registration as your proof of registration.
Not sure if your government-issued ID can be used for registration? Here is the list of valid IDs that can be used:
• Passport
• National ID
• Social Security Service ID
• Government Service Insurance System e-Card
• Driver’s License
• National Bureau of Investigation clearance
• Police Clearance
• Firearms’ License to Own and Possess ID
• Professional Regulation Commission ID
• Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration ID
• Bureau of Internal Revenue ID
• Voter’s ID
• Senior Citizen’s Card
• Unified Multi-Purpose Identification Card
• Person with Disabilities Card
• Other government-issued ID with photo
Violations of the SIM Card Registration Act, including failure to register the SIM Card, violation of confidentiality, and reselling a stolen SIM Card, among others, will result in a penalty ranging from P100,000 to P1,000,000.
Moreover, telecommunications companies, their agents, and employees will be fined P500,000 to P4,000,000 when a breach of confidentiality (directly or indirectly revealing their subscribers’ data) is committed.