SIM cloning: Cops, banks plan awareness drive in Kolkata

KOLKATA: After five cases since February and 16 arrests made in connection with SIM cloning incidents in the city, the bank fraud section of the detective department will approach banks to hold awareness sessions on the perils of SIM cloning and subsequent fraud, officers said. In a SIM cloning attack, fraudsters gain access to the victim's physical SIM card and use a smart card copying software to duplicate the original SIM.

Cops said losses worth Rs 2 crore have taken place due to SIM cloning in the city. "We are in talks with banks to hold campaigns across various platforms explaining the steps that need to be adopted to not fall prey to such kinds of crimes", cops said.

"Don't forward or respond to bulk messages from a server number, even if they've been sent through call centres. They are automated SMSs and a response is treated as confirmation. It may lead to loss in data and money, or both," an officer said.

"Three things must alert you - one, if you're locked out of your phone's online accounts. Two, your phone loses service, or you can't receive calls or texts. Three, you receive notifications for actions you didn't take," a cop said. Cops also warned against sharing personal information such as birthdays, pet names and favourite food on social media.