Mexico warns unregistered phone lines could block digital banking

Mexico's telecommunications regulator, the Comisión Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones (CRT), is enforcing a mandatory registration of mobile phone numbers to link them with users' identities. The process, phased by the last digit of the number, runs until December 2026. After the deadline, operators may suspend voice, SMS and data services for unregistered lines after 72 hours, which can prevent users from accessing banking apps, receiving authentication codes, recovering passwords or authorising transactions.

The CRT reports that 65.3 million lines have been linked so far, leaving roughly 79 million still unregistered, many of which are prepaid or potentially unused. Banks warn that while some services may work over Wi‑Fi, initial app installation, device changes, password recovery and any operation requiring two‑factor authentication will fail without an active line. BBVA Mexico notes that account balances and transfers remain viewable on previously registered devices, but new setups will be blocked.

The measure aims to curb fraud, extortion and identity theft. The banking sector estimates that a large‑scale disconnection could jeopardise the collection of between 8.5 billion and 28.6 billion pesos annually, as most debt recovery relies on calls, SMS or WhatsApp. The CRT emphasizes that the registration will help protect users' financial assets and personal data.