The Cozumel Sun News August 22, 2026

The Cozumel Sun News August 22: Mexico Begins Suspending Unregistered Cell Phone Lines, Beware of Latest Scam in Cozumel, The Cozumel Store Services, and The Cozumel Sun Book Exchange Update: Please Respect Our Rules.

Mexico Begins Suspending Unregistered Cell Phone Lines

The first enforced deadline for compliance with mandatory cell phone registration came and went on Aug. 15 and approximately 2.6 million phone lines were suspended, prompting chaos and confusion for users whose now-unregistered phone numbers end in “0.”

Mexico’s Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (CRT) announced on Thursday that nearly 9.7 million users whose number ends in “0” successfully registered their cell phones before the deadline.

The CRT also said that just over 2.3 million users whose lines had been suspended managed to reactivate their phone service by Aug. 19. Another 2.6 million mobile phones are expected to be reactivated in the coming days, while the CRT expects 2.5 million “unused” lines to be decommissioned.

Those who failed to register before the deadline faced plenty of online misinformation, but those whose service was suspended can still recover their service because their phone number was not canceled.

How To Reactivate:

To reactivate the service, users must complete the registration process via their phone company. Prepaid lines must also be registered to remain active. 

You can register through the phone company’s registration portal and by verifying your identity. Links to all providers’ platforms can be found on the CRT website here.

You can also complete the process in person at one of your company’s customer service centers, where staff is on hand to assist with the registration.

Mexican mobile phone owners must provide a CURP (Unique Population Registry Code) and a valid official ID, such as the INE-issued voter ID. 

Foreigners:

Foreigners must also register their phone lines (if it is a Mexican provider) by using the corresponding identity or immigration document, such as a resident visa or a passport. 

Procedures vary slightly depending on the phone company, but the process is free. 

It is important to note that suspended lines can still make calls to emergency numbers, citizen services and their phone company. They will also continue to receive earthquake alerts and they can be used to complete the registration process.

The government mandated cell phone registration procedures in an effort to eliminate anonymous mobile lines, stop criminal extortion and curb the use of untraceable “burner” prepaid SIM cards.

The CRT had originally established a June 30 deadline for all cell phones to be registered, but when it became apparent that a significant number of users would see their lines suspended, the deadline was extended. 

The official schedule to register cell phones now depends on the final digit of your phone number. If your phone number ends in “1,” you must register by Aug. 31. If it ends in “2,” your deadline is Sept. 15, and so on through the end of the year as shown in the graphic above. 

In its Aug. 20 report, the CRT said a total of 73.2 million lines — or 60.5% of the total lines expected to be connected in the country — were registered. By the end of the registration process, it expects a purge of around 25 million lines.

Beware of Latest Scam in Cozumel

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Dear neighbors:

There is a group of people going door to door pretending to be employees of the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses.

They have documents and letterhead from the Ministry of the Interior and claim they need to verify that everyone has valid identification for the upcoming census. They are thieves.The imposters are everywhere and appear well-dressed and professional.

How They Work

Someone may come to your home and say: “I want to take your photo/fingerprint as part of a program.”

They have a laptop, a biometric device, and a list of names. They show a menu and ask for all of this information.

Please be aware that there is no such government initiative. This is false. Do not give them any personal information.

Everyone should stay alert and be aware. Please share this information with your community groups and inform your family and friends.

(Shared in several groups.) Be careful—this is reportedly a new scam.

Bottom banner:
Share this information with your family and friends’ groups—this is a new network of thieves.

The Cozumel Sun Services

In addition to our large Book Exchange and store that features school and office supplies, gifts, Avon and Natura health and beauty products, we offer professional printing services, and much more.

Drive Up Printing Service!

Introducing Our New Printing Service! NEW! No need to get out of your car! Drive up and we will bring your documents to you! Contact us for your copies and printing needs via WhatsApp, Messenger, or email!

It is fast and easy! Send us the documents that you need printed. Let us know if it is in Black & White or color and the number of copies that you wish.

We will confirm your order and let you know the cost. Contact us when you are outside, and we will bring your documents to you at no extra charge! The Cozumel Sun Online Store provides PRINTING, COPIES, LAMINATING, and BOOK BINDING.

Copies and Printing

Printing: Our prices are as follows $2.00 per copy black and white, $5.00 per copy color. Discounts available for schools and projects of 100 pages or more! For larger orders!

 

Laminating

Laminate your credentials with two sizes available ($15 & $25). We can laminate anything up to letter size($40)!

Book Binding

Yes, we can make a book for you! Whether a manual, your documents, a cookbook, anything that you wish. The cost is the copies plus $50 pesos per book that includes your choice of covers.

Scan to an USB:

Need your documents or photographs scanned onto a USB? We can do that for you! Drop off your USB or purchase our 16gb for $100 pesos. We charge $5 pesos per scan.

Investigations/CURP, RFC, & More:

Our services include finding and printing already existing CURP and RFC documents. We can only locate birth certificates for Quintana Roo! You will receive an original in color and a B&W copy for $15 pesos. This price also applies for investigations for student homework.

Delivery Service Available

There are several delivery services available in Cozumel that can pick up and deliver your purchases.

If our vehicle is available, we can also deliver your purchases for a $50 peso delivery fee.

Please contact us to check availability and arrange your delivery.

35 Ave Entre Calles 17 & 15 Bis #1081 Colonia Independencia, Cozumel 77664

The Cozumel Sun Book Exchange Update: Please Respect Our Rules

The Cozumel Sun Book Exchange and Community Store is a community service, but it is also much more than that.

The store is operated by my adopted local grandchildren. It provides an opportunity for the eldest to become self-sufficient while allowing both him and his younger sister to earn money toward their education. I supervise them and teach them practical business skills, including customer service, advertising, organization, responsibility, and money management.

We are extremely grateful that most of our customers have been wonderful. Many encourage the kids, compliment their work, and even leave them tips. Your kindness and support mean a great deal to us.

Unfortunately, we have also had several problems with people taking advantage of their youth and inexperience. Because of this, I need to clarify our Book Exchange rules.

How the Book Exchange Works

There is a $10-peso maintenance fee for each book exchanged.

If you bring in one eligible book, you may exchange it for one book for $10 pesos.

If you want an additional book without providing another eligible book in exchange, the additional book requires a $50-peso donation.

For example:

Bring 1 eligible book + take 1 book = $10 pesos

Bring 1 eligible book + take 2 books = $60 pesos total
($10 for the exchanged book + $50 for the additional book)

Recently, a customer brought in one book and took two. When my 15-year-old granddaughter correctly requested payment for the additional book, the customer refused and treated her as though she were trying to overcharge her.

She was not. My granddaughter was simply following the Book Exchange rules.

Please do not argue with the kids about the prices or rules. If you have a question or disagreement, please ask to speak with me.

Maximum of Two Books Per Visit

We have also had people bring in boxes of books and leave with as many as 15 books at one time.

The maximum is TWO books per person, per visit.

This rule exists for a reason. The Book Exchange belongs to the entire community. Limiting exchanges to two books helps keep a good selection available for everyone and prevents large numbers of books from being removed for extended periods.

Bringing in a box of books does not mean you may take an equal number of books at one time.

Not Every Book Qualifies for Exchange

We greatly appreciate book donations, but not every donated book qualifies as an exchange.

Our Book Exchange primarily needs novels and other general-interest reading material that can be circulated among our members.

We generally cannot use:

• Outdated travel and tour guides
• Dictionaries
• Instructional or “how-to” books with little current demand
• Severely damaged, moldy, or unusable books

Please understand that bringing unwanted or ineligible books does not create exchange credit.

Please Help Us Teach, Not Discourage

This little store is helping two young people learn how to work, deal with customers, manage money, follow rules, and take responsibility.

They are learning—and I am very proud of the work they are doing.

I ask our customers to please support that learning experience. Do not pressure the kids to ignore the rules, argue with them over a few pesos, or take advantage of their age or inexperience.

The rules apply to everyone, and the children working in the store have my full authority to enforce them.

Thank you to the overwhelming majority of our customers and Book Exchange members who have treated them with kindness, patience, encouragement, and respect.

Your support helps keep The Cozumel Sun Book Exchange available to the community while helping these young people build skills and work toward a better future.

Donations are accepted at the store and via Zelle, Xoom, or PayPal to atreasuryoftrade@msn.com.

Garage Sale items and donations of any amount will be greatly appreciated!

Follow the Book Exchange and Community Store on Facebook:

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