Mexico phone registration requirement targeted by scammers

In Mexico, a mandatory process requires mobile phone users to link their lines to their official identities. Failure to complete this registration can lead to service suspension, which prevents making calls, sending messages, or using mobile data. While suspension is not the same as permanent cancellation, users are advised to visit their service providers through official channels to complete the identity verification process.

Criminals are exploiting this regulatory requirement by conducting fraudulent phone calls. These scams involve automated recordings claiming that a user's line will be suspended within hours unless they press a specific number to speak with an advisor. The Commission for Telecommunications (Comisión Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones) clarifies that phone companies do not make calls to confirm registration.

When victims interact with these fraudulent advisors, the criminals attempt to steal sensitive information, including names, dates of birth, addresses, banking details, and authentication codes for services like WhatsApp. The goal is often to gather data for identity theft or financial fraud rather than immediate monetary theft.