If your cell phone starts doing this, check your bank account immediately.

If your cell phone starts behaving strangely or unusually, such as not allowing you to connect to the internet or make calls , you could be the victim of a cyber scam. In this case, it's advisable to check your bank account immediately , as cybercriminals are likely trying to steal your money.

According to sources from the National Police Force , " SIM swapping fraud is one of the most current forms of cyber fraud."

The National Police notes that cybercriminals obtain personal information using various techniques, such as phishing , malware attacks, and social media surveillance. These methods allow them to duplicate SIM cards and install them in another device.

Once digital fraudsters gain access and control of a mobile phone number, they can extract all confidential information, such as passwords and access to online banking services. With this control, they can make transfers to the criminal organization's accounts or even apply for loans instantly, the National Police warns.

How to know if I am a victim of SIM swapping

The National Police provides several recommendations to identify if we are victims of a SIM-swapping attack , which could put our bank account at serious risk of being drained.

The first important sign that you may be a victim of this type of scam is that, during the SIM swap, you won't be able to make phone calls or send text messages . This happens when the scammers have deactivated your SIM and are using your phone number.

-You'll know you're a victim if your phone provider notifies you that your SIM card or phone has been activated on another device —that is, they notify you of activity elsewhere.

-If your login credentials no longer work for your bank and credit card accounts, and you are therefore unable to access them, you should contact your bank immediately to verify that you have not been a victim of a scam.

What to do if you suffer from SIM swapping

The Organization of Consumers and Users ( OCU ) points out that when someone activates a duplicate SIM card, the SIM card you have is automatically deactivated, leaving you without a signal, meaning you can't make calls or access the internet. This is the first sign that should make you suspect you could be the victim of a SIM swapping attack.

"If this happens to you, contact your operator immediately to confirm whether someone has duplicated your SIM card without your permission, and quickly inform your bank of what happened," advises the OCU.

The Consumer Organization points out that current regulations in these cases stipulate that, if an unauthorized payment is made , the issuing institution must immediately refund the transaction amount. However, the bank may refuse if it can prove deliberate fraud or negligence.

How to avoid being a victim of SIM swapping

To avoid falling victim to this fraud, the Internet Security Office (OSI) recommends the following guidelines:

1) If you notice that your phone suddenly has no coverage for no logical reason , the OSI advises you to contact the telephone company immediately to report the incident and identify what may have happened.

2) Install two-step authentication: this is a An additional measure to your password, you can use to make it harder for cybercriminals, or anyone trying to spy on you or gossip without authorization, to access your personal accounts. To do this, they recommend using apps like Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator.

3) Update your account recovery options in case cybercriminals have managed to access your personal data.

4) Be careful with data shared on social media. The OSI advises that if too much personal information is shared on social media such as Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, Correctly configure your privacy and security settings. Therefore, it's best to ensure that only your contacts can see the information you post on social media.

5) Do not open suspicious internet hyperlinks or attachments received via email or SMS. Cybercriminals sometimes impersonate recipients.

6) Update your passwords regularly and make sure they are strong, not simple.

7) It is not recommended to enter sensitive data, such as passwords or bank account information, if your mobile phone is connected to a public Wi-Fi network.

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