How to Block a Lost SIM Card Under the Philippine SIM Registration Act (RA 11934)
Snapshot: Republic Act No. 11934 (“SIM Registration Act”) requires every SIM—physical or embedded—to be registered to a real-world subscriber. Losing a registered SIM therefore exposes your identity and creates potential criminal liability. The law and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) lay down a two-track duty:
- Report the loss immediately, and
- Have the Public Telecommunications Entity (PTE) block the SIM within 24 hours. Failure to do so does not carry an express fine, but any crime committed with an un-blocked lost SIM will be traceable to the registered owner, exposing them to investigation and possible complicity charges.
1. Legal Foundations
| Instrument | Key Provisions on Lost/ Stolen SIMs |
|---|---|
| RA 11934 (Oct 10 2022) | §6(b) – Subscriber must report loss/theft to the PTE and the Philippine National Police (PNP); PTE must permanently deactivate within 24 hours. §11 – PTEs must maintain an audit trail of deactivations. |
| Joint DICT-NTC-NTC IRR (Dec 12 2022) | Rule 8, §3 – Lists the blocking workflow, required documents, and data-retention period. |
| NTC Memorandum Circular No. 001-05-2023 | Mandates 24/7 hotlines and online portals for reporting lost SIMs. |
| Data Privacy Act (RA 10173) | Personal data submitted for blocking is covered by data-privacy principles of proportionality, purpose, and storage limitation. |
2. What Counts as a “Lost” SIM?
| Scenario | Classification | Blocking Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Misplaced phone/SIM, location unknown | Lost | Yes |
| Device grabbed or pick-pocketed | Stolen | Yes |
| SIM damaged by accident | Defective (not lost) | Blocking optional; replacement applies |
| SIM swapped via fraud (e.g., SIM-swap scam) | Compromised | Yes, plus criminal complaint |
3. Subscriber’s Obligations (Step-by-Step)
Secure an Affidavit of Loss
- Execute before a notary or at the nearest police station (sworn statement is acceptable under the IRR).
- Include: full name, address, valid ID number used for the original SIM registration, lost SIM number, date/time/place of loss.
Report to the Telco’s 24/7 Channel
- Smart/PLDT: 136 (mobile) / +632 8888-1111 (landline) / official web form.
- Globe: 211 (mobile) / +632 7730-1000 / web form.
- DITO: 185 / DITO app help-center. Give the affidavit details; the telco will verify against the SIM-registry.
Report to PNP (or NBI if part of a larger cybercrime)
- File an Incident Report. Keep the receiving-copy for telco and insurance purposes.
Receive Confirmation
- Under IRR Rule 8 §3(b), PTE must send written or SMS notice that the SIM is blocked within 24 hours. Keep the reference number.
4. Telco (PTE) Duties and Timelines
| Task | Statutory Deadline |
|---|---|
| Verify identity vs. SIM registry | Immediately upon report |
| Deactivate (“hot-list”) SIM | ≤ 24 hours |
| Enter deactivation in audit log | Concurrent with blocking |
| Retain deactivation record | 10 years (RA 11934 §11) |
| Provide free replacement SIM (same MSISDN) | “As soon as practicable” after blocking and upon presentation of ID + affidavit |
Note: Deactivation is permanent—the same physical SIM cannot be reactivated even if later found.
5. Reactivation & Replacement
Request a Replacement SIM
- Present original ID and blocking reference number.
- Telco issues a new SIM or eSIM mapped to the same mobile number.
Re-register
- The replacement counts as a new registration; you must again consent to data privacy terms.
Fees
- The IRR forbids telcos from charging a blocking fee. Replacement SIM itself may be charged at cost (PHP 50–100), but most PTEs currently waive this.
6. Data-Privacy & Security Considerations
| Phase | Minimum Data Collected | Retention | Access Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blocking request | Affidavit, ID details, SIM number | 10 years (logs) | PTE compliance officers & law-enforcement upon court order |
| Replacement SIM registration | All data fields under §4 RA 11934 (name, DOB, address, biometrics if any) | Active + 10 years after deactivation | Same as above |
Right to Erasure: After the 10-year retention, the subscriber may request deletion, unless the record is subject to a lawful hold order.
7. Liability and Penalties
| Actor | Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Subscriber | Failure to register a replacement SIM after blocking | Up to ₱100,000 fine (RA 11934 §13) |
| PTE | Failure to block within 24 h | Graduated fines: ₱100k–₱1 million per offense; revocation for repeat violations |
| Any person | Using a lost SIM to commit a crime | Penalties under the Revised Penal Code + one degree higher if facilitated by failure to block |
8. Special Situations
- Corporate-Owned SIMs – The Authorized Company Representative files the loss report; board resolution may be required for replacement.
- Minors’ SIMs – The parent/guardian who co-signed the registration must file the report.
- eSIMs – Treated identically. Blocking the eSIM profile also blocks any device pairing.
- Overseas Filipinos – May e-mail the notarized affidavit (apostilled) and do a video KYC session with the telco.
9. Practical Tips & Best Practices
- Enable device-level locks (PIN/Biometrics) so thieves cannot immediately exploit the SIM.
- Keep digital copies of your affidavit and confirmation SMS; they are often required for banking-profile updates.
- Update two-factor authentication settings (banking apps, e-wallets) as soon as the SIM is blocked to avoid lock-outs.
- If you later recover the device, never re-insert the blocked SIM—it can trigger telco fraud flags.
- Consider using an eSIM with remote-wipe capability for faster self-service blocking.
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I simply call customer service without an affidavit? | Telcos may accept a verbal report to start a temporary suspension, but the permanent block requires the written affidavit within 48 hours. |
| Will I lose my prepaid load? | Yes, the balance on the blocked SIM is forfeited. Some telcos allow balance transfer if reported within 7 days. |
| What if the SIM was used in a crime before I noticed the loss? | File a PNP blotter immediately and furnish the telco reference number; this mitigates potential liability. |
| Is the 24-hour blocking rule counted in business hours? | No. The timer runs on a continuous 24-hour clock from the moment of verified report, including weekends and holidays. |
| Can I authorize someone else to block my SIM? | Yes, via a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) plus copies of both parties’ IDs. |
11. Conclusion
Blocking a lost or stolen SIM under the SIM Registration Act is time-critical. The law places equal responsibility on subscribers and telcos: you must report promptly, and they must block immediately. Doing so not only protects your personal data and finances, but also prevents your registered identity from being used in unlawful activities.
Disclaimer: This article provides general legal information as of June 11 2025 and is not a substitute for tailored legal advice. For specific queries, consult a qualified Philippine lawyer or your telco’s legal compliance unit.