TECHNOLOGY: Sim swap fraud

‘Sim swap’ fraud gives imposters access to mobile phone accounts. Criminals obtain bank details via organised crime networks or phishing emails, and open a business account under the target’s name at the victim’s bank.

The fraudster then scours social media accounts to work out possible answers to security questions and calls the victim’s mobile phone provider to report the phone stolen.

This results in the old sim being cancelled and a new one activated, meaning from then on the fraudster can commandeer the victim’s mobile phone account, change security settings and initiate bank transfer authorisations.

• Never give out personal or financial information.

• Ensure your computer has the most up-to-date antivirus software.

• Keep information available on social media sites to a minimum.

• Don’t turn your handset off in response to a flurry of nuisance calls, this can be the fraudster attempting to delay you noticing loss of service whilst a sim is swapped.

• If your mobile phone service stops unnecessarily then notify your bank.

• If you have a question for JSPC, email it to [email protected], and if you require further advice, support, or a computer repair, call JSPC Computer Services on 01903 767122, visit www.jspc.co.uk, or visit them at 2 Seadown Parade, Bowness Avenue, Sompting.

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