In this case, we are not talking about a password being stolen to access a protected site, but about our SIM card being cloned. The ‘SIM Swapping’. Namely, someone creating a duplicate of our card (or applying for it under false pretenses) and can use it to, for example, listen to our calls, receive messages from our bank or, for example, receive the two-factor authentication code. For practical purposes, a method of identity theft through our mobile.
Protect yourself from SIM Swapping
Until the system does not change, if it changes at any time, SIM card is the most valuable and delicate component of a mobile phone. It is the key to give us access to the network and to be able to make calls or send messages, or surf the Internet, but it is also our ‘DNI’ to receive text messages that are destined for us. And send them, naturally.
Thus, losing the SIM card and leaving it in the hands of a third party can be a huge risk. But this does not have to happen like this, we do not need to lose the SIM card so that they can access our data. They can also clone us and cause us the same problems. This is what is known as ‘SIM Swapping’.
If someone with sufficient knowledge has access to sufficient personal data about us, they can contact the telephone company pretending to be us and requesting a duplicate of our SIM. The moment that second card was activated, ours would automatically be without coverage when deactivated, and the number would be in the hands of a third party. Or, worse, to coexist in the case of activate a multiSIM servicewhich would make detecting identity theft even worse.
Although there is no infallible method to prevent this from happening to us, we can carry out certain procedures to limit risk. For example:
- Never provide personal data to anyone through calls, links that send us through emails or SMS and seem suspicious to us, or in person through forms.
- Restrict our social networks so that only our friends and/or direct contacts can see what we publish and our profiles.
- Do not enter sensitive data in the browser if we browse through public WiFi networks that may be being intercepted.
- And this is important: do not download apps that are not hosted in official stores. In our case, on Google Play.
If despite all this we see that our personal data is used to request a SIM on our behalf, we must file a complaint immediately so that the authorities start blocking the new card (and the trace of who has requested it for us). This also applies if we detect improper charges in our checking account. Everything can be due to access by a third party without us realizing it.