In SIM swap fraud, criminals gain access to a victim’s phone through fake emails (phishing), fraudulent phone calls (phishing), fake text messages (phishing), and more.
Updated: Sat 17 Dec 22 at 02:04pm
Representative images.
Hyderabad: After a Delhi man was duped by some unidentified crooks and robbed over Rs 5 lakh through a series of missed calls without even sharing any one-time password (OTP) or personal details with the accused, Hyderabad City Police remind citizens Be cautious about SIM swapping techniques.
In SIM swap fraud, criminals gain access to victims’ mobile phones through fake emails (phishing), fraudulent phone calls (phishing), fake text messages (SMS phishing), and more. They then use the personal information to create false identities, pose as victims, and mislead telecom service providers into issuing duplicate SIM cards. Once the duplicate SIM starts functioning, the original SIM is blocked.
With the help of a duplicate SIM card, fraudsters can obtain OTP and other alerts needed to complete financial transactions through the victim’s bank account.
City Police are asking people to contact their service provider immediately if they think their SIM card has been replaced.
Some early warning signs of a SIM swapping attack:
When you are attacked by SIM swapping, your device will start to have problems. You cannot send or receive text messages and calls. You are abruptly logged out of all applications and various other accounts, with no way to log back in. Your social media accounts or emails could be hacked.
If you have the correct settings enabled, you may receive notifications or email alerts from your service provider and other accounts that profile information has changed, or that logins are from unrecognized locations or devices.
In some cases, you will receive a notification from your provider that your phone number or SIM card has been activated elsewhere. Your financial institution will send a fraud alert or suspicious activity.
How to prevent SIM swapping?
Two-factor authentication must be set up using an authentication app. Never click on links in suspicious emails. Your internet browser will often ask you if you want the websites you visit to remember your passwords, or even your debit or credit card information. Even better if you always decline and don’t set autofill as a shortcut.
