Mobile phone usage is wide spread at this moment in time in Uganda. Most adults and millennials alike, have one in their pockets. And almost everyone has their sim card registered on mobile money services from the different telecoms. However, even the most avid mobile phone users often fail to appreciate how valuable their mobile phone and the data it conceals is, and how easily someone can access their mobile money accounts. Here’s some advise on how to protect your mobile money account.
Lets start with the DOs about your mobile money account
Choose a good pin
A pin is the first line of defense in protecting unauthorized access to your finances or any information about your mobile money account. Telcos have the length of the pin fixed at either 4 or 5 digits. The number of unique combinations available may be smaller compared to if the pin was longer. You can still come up with a good pin that is both hard to guess but easy to remember.
Change your pin once in a while
You may have been careful when choosing your pin that it is strong and hard to predict, but you never know whose plying eyes took notice when u were entering it to complete a transaction. Your account is not safe once your pin is known by someone else. Changing the pin, say every 2 or 3 months is a good move. In case someone secretly got to know your pin and is waiting to seize the perfect moment and access your account, they will get a shock of their lives when the pin they knew no longer works. And your account will see another day safe from unauthorized access.
Use different pins for different simcards
With the market awashed by dual sim phones, most people use two or more sim cards from different telecoms and in most cases, they are all registered for mobile money services. While it’s certainly easier to use the same pin on multiple simcards, remember that doing so can increase your vulnerability. Just in case your mobile money account is compromised on one sim card, the other account should still be secure because it uses a different pin. Don’t replicate pins between either simcards.
Use a secure password on your phone
Use a strong password on your phone’s lock screen to discourage any attempt to access any information on your phone. Also remember to add a stronger pin code to your sim card just in case someone tries to remove it and access your mobile money on another phone that helshe can unlock.
What about the DON’Ts?
Don’t use predictable number patterns
As astonishing as it is, people still use predictable pins like “12345”, “1111” which are ranked the weakest type of pins. Most people use these because they are easy to grasp. They are easily guessed though. You don’t want to put your finances on the bad guys radar just because you are lazy to pick a stronger pin. When you are creating a pin, just keep away from such predictable number patterns.
Don’t use numbers related to your personal info
In most cases, the person that tries to access your mobile money will be someone that knows you. Using birth years or last numbers of your mobile phone as pins isn’t a thing you may want to try. This person knows this information and they will obviously use this on their first attempt.
Don’t write your pin down
This is the digital equivalent of leaving a key in your front door. The burglar walks right in. Writing your pin on walls, papers stuffed in phone casings or wallets is personal suicide. You never know who reads such information and if they have an agenda to make you broke soon. Resist the temptation and don’t write your pin down.
Don’t share your pin with anyone
Sometimes we are tempted to share our pins with people. Maybe because we are lazy to let go of the remote and stand up from the couch to a mobile money agent. We may end up sending someone, freely giving them our pins and complete access to our accounts. Also, some people don’t know how to initiate transactions. They end up innocently handing their pins to agents or complete strangers to help them out. Don’t let a lion raise your goats! You never know what that person will use your account for.
Final words
Many people use mobile money services for their ease and urgency, but they aren’t as careful with them as they should be. If you actively use your mobile money account, it’s important to recognize its true value and think about how you would guard it jealously from any unauthorized attempt. Take steps to safeguard it.
Be wary of getting your pin in the wrong hands. By following the above advise, you are assured of never complaining about unauthorized access that you would easily stop with a few simple precautions.
