No Network on Your Phone? It Could Be a SIM Swap Scam - How to Prevent It
Across the country, a new wave of digital fraud is catching people off guardS IM swap scams. These attacks are growing rapidly, turning mobile numbers into easy gateways for bank account theft and identity takeovers. With cases rising sharply through 2024–25, regulators and cyber experts are urging people to stay alert.
A SIM swap scam begins when fraudsters convince a telecom operator to port your number to a new SIM card they control. Once they succeed, your phone suddenly loses network and they receive every OTP meant for you. From there, criminals can reset bank passwords, unlock email accounts, access digital wallets, and drain funds within minutes.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) have issued strong advisories, instructing banks and telecom operators to boost verification checks and reduce dependence on SMS-based authentication. CERT-IN and state cybercrime units now classify SIM porting fraud as a major financial threat affecting thousands of users.
If Your Network Suddenly Drops
A sudden “No Service” alert should never be ignored. Treat it like an emergency. Immediately call your telecom operator and bank from another phone to block the SIM and freeze all accounts. Next, change passwords for your email and financial apps from a secure device, since email access is often the key to recovery.
Reporting the Fraud
Victims must file a complaint on the national cybercrime portal and keep all correspondence from their telecom provider and bank. In cases where operational lapses are found, agencies may offer relief or help recover losses.
Staying vigilant and acting fast remains your strongest defence against SIM swap fraud.
A SIM swap scam begins when fraudsters convince a telecom operator to port your number to a new SIM card they control. Once they succeed, your phone suddenly loses network and they receive every OTP meant for you. From there, criminals can reset bank passwords, unlock email accounts, access digital wallets, and drain funds within minutes.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) have issued strong advisories, instructing banks and telecom operators to boost verification checks and reduce dependence on SMS-based authentication. CERT-IN and state cybercrime units now classify SIM porting fraud as a major financial threat affecting thousands of users.
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How to Stay Protected
Experts recommend a few smart steps to shield your accounts:
- Use app-based authenticators or hardware security keys instead of SMS OTPs.
- Enable a SIM PIN to prevent unauthorized access.
- Request a port-out lock or number lock from your telecom operator.
- Use your mobile number sparingly ideally only for essential recovery functions in banking and key services.
If Your Network Suddenly Drops
A sudden “No Service” alert should never be ignored. Treat it like an emergency. Immediately call your telecom operator and bank from another phone to block the SIM and freeze all accounts. Next, change passwords for your email and financial apps from a secure device, since email access is often the key to recovery.Reporting the Fraud
Victims must file a complaint on the national cybercrime portal and keep all correspondence from their telecom provider and bank. In cases where operational lapses are found, agencies may offer relief or help recover losses. Staying vigilant and acting fast remains your strongest defence against SIM swap fraud.
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