A lot of us right now manages all transactions and accounts online since it is more convenient especially at this time. But have you heard about the fraud modus called “SIM swap scam”?
What is a SIM swap scam?
A SIM swap is the last procedure of the scammers to acquire all your accounts including banking, trading, and credit cards. The tricky part of this scam is that the victim is already targeted long before the SIM swap.
The scammer took the time to collect bank account numbers, email addresses, internet credentials, personal information, and identity, as well as the cellphone number registered with the bank for providing a one-time password (OTP).
Moreover, it may appear to be safe to post your home address, birthdate, school or company ID, passport data, energy bill, dog’s name, favorite movie, or credit card photo on social media, such information might make the difference between safety and danger. With those, a scammer may obtain your password or Personal Identification Number (PIN), particularly on your birthday or anniversary.
Furthermore, there are also Phishing emails or SMS messages that may sometimes appear to have come from a company you know and trust. They will ask you to open a link or enter personal information such as your password, PIN, government ID number, and account number. Following these steps will put your data at risk.
Scammers may also contact you claiming to be telecom or bank personnel, requesting personal and banking information in return for incentives or advantages.
Besides, bank statements, utility bills, delivery packages, and other papers containing your personal information discarded in an unsafe manner can potentially be a source of identity theft.
If you believe you have been a victim of SIM swap, follow these steps:
- Change your bank and digital account passwords/PINs right away.
- Immediately inform the bank about the situation.
- Make your passwords unique and hard to guess.
Don’t worry because Globe is also taking more strict efforts to prevent illegal SIMswaps. To seek a temporary line disconnection, Globe Postpaid subscribers can utilize the GlobeOne app’s “Account Requests” feature or call 211. Customers, both postpaid and prepaid, may go to their local Globe Store to reclaim their mobile number and obtain a SIM replacement right away.
For lost SIM replacement, this provides 24-hour SIM reactivation to allow for greater client verification. A notarized declaration of loss is also required, similar to how banks need the same paperwork when replacing lost cards and other financial documents.
To know more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.
