On this rip-off, cyber criminals first accumulate your private data like identify, handle, date of beginning, or Aadhaar. They get this information from phishing emails, faux web sites or leaked databases. Then they contact your cellular community operator posing as you and demand a brand new SIM card. When the corporate prompts a brand new SIM, your outdated SIM will get robotically switched off. That is it, that is the place the thugs pay money for your cellular quantity.

Now they’ll simply intercept messages, OTPs and financial institution alerts coming in your cellphone. Since OTP is a very powerful layer of safety for on-line accounts, as soon as they pay money for the quantity, fraudsters can change passwords, hack emails and drain your checking account.

If immediately the community sign disappears in your cellphone, calls or messages cease coming, or a notification of password reset comes although you didn’t do something, then it’s an alarm bell. Many instances you get a message that your SIM has been activated on another system, it is a clear indication that your quantity is in another person’s possession.

For safety, set a PIN or password in your cellular account, in order that nobody can swap your SIM casually. For 2-factor authentication, use an app like Google Authenticator as a substitute of SMS in order that the OTP stays protected solely with you. Don’t share your private data on social media or unknown hyperlinks.

At all times control the exercise of financial institution and e-mail accounts and if the community immediately disappears, instantly inform your cellular community supplier. Solely well timed motion can turn into your greatest safety from this cyber fraud.
Printed at : 08 Nov 2025 09:30 AM (IST)

