SIM card fraud is on the rise and causing significant financial losses for individuals. Cybercriminals are gaining unauthorized access to SIM cards and stealing money from bank accounts.
It’s crucial to understand how these criminals obtain duplicate SIMs to prevent such fraud. Let’s delve into this issue and learn how to stay safe.
SIM Card Swap
Sim swap fraud is a common technique used by hackers to gain control of your phone number and related services. They do this by collecting personal information such as your name, address, date of birth, and Aadhaar number.
Once they have this information, they contact your mobile operator and request a new SIM card. When the SIM card arrives, they insert it into a phone, and all your phone services are transferred to the new SIM card.
Social Engineering
Social engineering is a strategy that cybercriminals use to extract personal information from unsuspecting individuals. They do this by pretending to be government officials or bank employees to gain your trust.
Once they have obtained the required information, they can use it to hack into your SIM card and cause harm. It is important to be cautious about sharing personal information and to verify the identity of anyone requesting such information.
Software Hacking
When hackers use malware or spyware to access your phone and steal data, it’s called software hacking of the SIM card.
Some Tips to Avoid SIM Card Hacking
It is crucial to be careful when sharing your personal information. Only share your details with trustworthy individuals. Keep your mobile service provider updated in case of any changes to your address or date of birth.
It is also important to use a sturdy password on your phone and update it regularly.
What should you do if the SIM card is hacked?
If you suspect that your SIM card has been hacked, it is extremely important that you contact your mobile operator immediately. Let them know what has happened and ask them to block the SIM card and provide you with a new one.
Also, ensure that you change the passwords of all your bank and other accounts to safeguard your personal information.