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SIM Swaps

MTN sim swap overview

What is SIM Swap?

MTN SIM Swap is a new immediate and cost effective service that will allow MTN Pay as you Go Customers to keep their preferred MTN number.

Who is it for?

The new SIM Swap process is available to MTN Pay as you go Customers only, regardless of their price plan.

The SIM Swap process shall apply where a Customer’s SIM card is:

  • lost, damaged or their phone has been stolen
  • deactivated due to the failure of Access4Life rules or is blocked, as long as the number is still available on the MTN Network and not recycled and in use by another Customer
  • or the Customer requests for a SIM upgrade

How does it work?

An MTN Pay as you Go Customer

  • Buys a MTN Pay as you Go starter pack
  • Inserts the SIM Card into their cellphone
  • Calls 173 for assistance with the SIM Swap in order to keep an old / preferred MTN Number

What information is the Customer required to have ready when calling the 173 Call Centre to proceed with the SIM Swap?

The customer will need to have the following information ready:

  • The old MTN Number that they want to keep
  • Their ID Number
  • 3 most frequently/commonly called numbers
  • Their last recharge amount and date

The Customer Service agent will ask the following verification questions of which 3 must be answered correctly to verify the customer as the rightful owner of the MTN cellphone number:

  • The date the Customer last used their phone number.
  • The Customer’s 3 commonly called voice / SMS numbers.
  • The Customer’s last airtime recharge amount and date.
  • The Customer’s price plan.
  • What services the customer is currently subscribed to e.g. Data, SMS bundles.
  • The customer’s handset details that were used with the old MSISDN.

The customer must answer at least 3 of the above questions correctly in order to pass the verification step of the SIM Swap process. If the customer is not able to answer 3 of the questions correctly then the SIM Swap cannot be performed by the Customer Service agent.

The Customer Service agent will also ask for the following additional information:

  • First Name
  • Surname
  • ID Number / Passport Number (Mandatory)
  • MTN Prepaid starter pack purchase location
  • MTN Prepaid starter pack purchase reseller
  • Home address
  • Work address
  • Email address
  • Alternate contact number
    • In the event that the ID number/Passport Number is not provided by the customer, the SIM Swap process cannot be allowed to continue any further.
    • If the customer cannot verify the data on his cellphone number and still wants to proceed with the SIM Swap, then an Affidavit must be completed by the customer at a police station. A certified copy of the Affidavit and I.D must be faxed to the 173 Customer Service centre.
  • If the SIM Swap is successful, the Customer Service agent will inform the Customer and the Customer will receive an SMS from MTN notifying him/her that the SIM Swap has been successful.
  • If the SIM Swap is unsuccessful, the Customer Service agent will inform the Customer on reasons why the SIM Swap was unsuccessful and will follow the process to either reactivate the number if it is still available OR if an Affidavit is received; alternatively the Customer will have to activate the new number.

How do I get SIM Swap?

Purchase a MTN Pay as you Go starter pack at any existing store that sells MTN Pay as you Go starter packs.

All starter packs will now be packaged with 2 options:

  • To activate as a new MTN customer
  • To activate as a SIM Swap to keep an existing MTN number

The MTN Pay as you Go starter pack will include the following information to assist the Customer to perform the SIM Swap:

  • How to activate as a new MTN Pay as you Go Customer
    Or
  • How to perform a SIM Swap including a detailed process

How much do I pay for it?

A SIM Swap will cost the same price as a MTN Pay as you Go starterpack that is currently in the market. This starter pack can then be activated as a new MTN Pay as you Go activation or a SIM Swap.

The new SIM Swap process is:

  • Affordable – The SIM swap will be sold at the same price as that of a normal MTN Pay as you Go Starter Pack.
  • Convenient – The customer will be able to perform a SIM Swap themselves, without relying on any store for assistance.
  • Accessible – The customer will be able to buy a SIM Swap anywhere as it will be easily available via all MTN distribution channels as they currently sell MTN Pay as you Go starter packs.