SIM Swapping, una nueva modalidad de fraude que debes conocer (2024)

FAQs

What can SIM swapped fraudsters get access to? ›

Using this method, identity thieves can impersonate victims to gain access to sensitive personal, business, and financial data, such as bank accounts and social media accounts. SIM swap attacks can affect any phone that has a SIM card.

SIM swapping happens when scammers contact your mobile phone's carrier and trick them into activating a SIM card that the fraudsters have. Once this occurs, the scammers have control over your phone number. Anyone calling or texting this number will contact the scammers' device, not your smartphone.

SIM swapping refers to the process of transferring an existing phone number to a new SIM card. There are plenty of reasons to SIM swap. Say you've lost your phone or bought a new one, but your old SIM card doesn't fit. Or maybe your SIM card got damaged, or you got a better deal with a new.

With so much money and personal information accessible by phones, SIM card swaps are an illegal gold mine for fraudsters.

Set up two-factor authentication using authentication apps.

Two-factor authentication is always a great idea; however, in the case of SIM swapping, the most secure way to access authentication codes is through authentication apps, versus emailed or texted codes.

An individual's privacy can be jeopardized if their SIM card is compromised. Once hackers access your SIM card, they can monitor and intercept all incoming calls and text messages and access sensitive information, such as passwords and private communications. They can then use that information to scam or blackmail you.

Use GPS tracking to monitor your location

These devices need to send GPS data over the wireless network, which requires a SIM card. If a hacker gains access to your SIM card, they could use it to track your location in real-time by using your cellular data connection.

Simply purchase a new SIM card, RICA it, and insert it into your phone. Dial *136# from the number, choose the option to use your old number, and follow the prompts to complete the SIM swap. The process may take anywhere from two to 24 hours before your new SIM card is activated.

Every cellular connected device has an IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number, which is used to identify the hardware that is being connected to the network. This is very useful when it comes to mapping SIMs to specific devices and detecting when a SIM is being used in a new device.

The SIM swap will be processed immediately but it may take up to 24 hours for the new SIM to be activated.

Can you go to jail for a SIM swap? ›

Individuals caught participating in SIM swap scams can face severe legal consequences, including imprisonment. The penalties for SIM swapping vary depending on the jurisdiction and the extent of the crime.

Yes. Before suing, A letter from you or a local lawyer can be effective in several ways. It can avoid costly litigation and help bring about a settlement.

Reversing a Phone Cloning

Contact your mobile carrier to report your phone being cloned. Ask them to disconnect your current phone number and SIM card and do a factory reset of your phone. Change all of your passwords and check your phone bill and bank account for any unauthorized charges.

Hack email and social media accounts

If a hacker has access to your SIM card, they can gain access to any of your linked social media accounts. They can bypass 2FA and MFA authentication by intercepting SMS-based authentication codes to get into your email and social media accounts.

Gain access to your phone number and impersonate you

Scammers can use your SIM card to make calls, send SMS messages, and post to social media accounts on your behalf.

Your phone can be hacked via text messages. Attackers can send you malicious links or attachments in a text that, once clicked or downloaded, can install malware on your phone. This can result in unauthorized access to your device or data theft.

If you get a new SIM for the same phone number once service has transferred to the new SIM the old SIM is no longer active. It may have contacts, call history and/or SMS messages on it (especially if it was used in a “dumb” phone) so you may want to destroy it for privacy reasons.