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Spotting scams

Sim-swapping scam

What is SIM swap fraud?

A criminal will pretend to be yourself or a mobile operator and try to convince your mobile phone network that you need a replacement SIM for your phone. This lets them take control of your mobile phone number, which means they can potentially hijack your calls and texts, as well as your online banking details/codes.

Tips on how to spot a SIM swapping scam

  • If you lose the ability to make calls or send texts, this could be a sign that you could be a victim of SIM swapping. This could mean fraudsters have deactivated your SIM and are using your phone number.
  • Your phone provider notifies you that your SIM card or phone number has been activated on a different device.
  • Your login credentials suddenly no longer work for things like your banking sites.

Steps to protect yourself

  1. 01

    Don't respond to fake emails, texts or phone calls. These are ways in which fraudsters use to gather personal information about you

  2. 02

    Be careful what you share on social media. Avoid posting things about yourself or family members birth dates, pet names and schools as these are often questions used to reset passwords

  3. 03

    If your phone suddenly stops working then inform both your bank and mobile network

  4. 04

    Use unique passwords that only you will know 

How to report fraud

If you think you may have been victim of sim-swapping fraud then we're here to help. 

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Identity theft is when a fraudster steals your personal information to impersonate you, open accounts, obtain credit or set up businesses.

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