Criminals have ways to take over your cellphone number through the SIM Swop process. Once the criminal has successfully taken over your cellphone number, you will lose network connectivity, leaving you blind to anything that comes through the same cellphone number while giving the criminals the opportunity to reset your banking details to have access to your account as well as your contact details.
There are two ways criminals will normally take advantage of the SIM Swop in order to use the Send Money option:
- Once they are in your account, they often make use of the Send Money option to multiple phone numbers, they use this because it is hard to trace who is behind the cellphone that received funds, especially if SIM cards where purchased and activated in the black market.
- The criminal can also access some of your contacts and send an emergency message requesting money. Your contacts will think it is you, have empathy and transfer money making use of bank or the retail sectors transaction facilities.
To prevent becoming a victim of a SIM swop or the victim of the scam, please follow the tips below:
Victim of the SIM Swop:
- Check for signal loss on your cell phone as this could indicate that you have been the victim of a SIM swop.
- Should you lose signal, contact your mobile network operator ASAP.
- Activate international cell phone roaming when travelling.
- Always inform your bank when travelling abroad.
- Never share your geolocation on social media platforms.
- Don’t click on unsolicited links.
- Ensure that you install the latest security updates on all your devices.
Victim of the Scam:
- Never act on text messages requesting that funds be transferred to someone purporting to be one of your contacts, due to an “emergency.”
- If you are requested to transfer money via a bank or retail sector facilities, make direct contact with your friend, family member or acquaintance to verify that the request came from them.
- In addition, contact the family member who is allegedly having a crisis, and confirm if they have requested assistance.
- If telephonic contact is made, pay attention to any changes in the voice or communication style to assist you to identify if the person is an imposter, and not your contact.