Telecoms warn customers on fake messages

COMMUNICATION

KAMPALA - As the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) deadline for telecom operators to stop selling scratch airtime cards draws closer, false messages have started circulating social media, directing the public on how to reload their airtime.

On Wednesday, a statement was allegedly issued jointly by MTN, Airtel and Africell on Twitter, Whatsapp and Facebook, urging people to reload airtime using fake SSD codes.

However, all three telecom companies have since denied any connection to it, urging their customers to be more careful.

"As MTN we have not issued any joint statement with any telecom operator and as such have nothing to do with the circulating message," said Val Oketcho, MTN's head of corporate communication.

In March 2018, the commission directed all telecom operators to stop the sale of scratch card airtime by July 01, 2018 and ensure that no further importation and sale of scratch cards is done after the deadline.

The commission also requested each operator to submit details of their current stock of Airtime scratch cards, including the stock already purchased and en-route to Uganda.

The message, now deemed fake, was also asking MTN, Airtel and Africell customers to pay their daily sh200 social media tax, introduced recently by finance minister, Matia Kasaija using the fake SSD codes.

"MTN, Airtel and Africell hereby inform the general public on the introduction of new taxes by the government of Uganda on Over the Top (OTT) services Introduction of excise duty of sh200 per day of access of the OTT services payment of the tax will be made by the customer using mobile money and Airtel money upon which access will be granted the customer," it read in part.

"Airtel has no attachment to the circulating message. And although I can't comment further now, we would like our customers to know that the message on social media is false," said Faith Bugonzi Airtel Uganda's Public Relations Officer.

Efforts to reach UCC for comment were unfruitful by press time as their known numbers went unanswered.