Protect yourself from cellphone SIM scams

If a fraudster has a false copy of your ID, they can use it to do a SIM swap with your network provider and they will have full control and access to information that is meant for you. They will also receive banking notifications and approval SMSs that your bank sends to you when doing a transaction.

All it takes for someone to do a SIM swap with your network provider, is a false copy of your ID. This will give them full control and access to any messages, confidential notifications and approval SMSs sent to your phone.

Once a hacker has this clear view of your banking activity, it becomes much easier for them to gain access to transfer money from your account without you knowing.

To help keep your money safe, if Absa suspects a potential SIM swap scam, a temporary hold will be placed on your account until you authenticate yourself. 

If you get an SMS from your network provider confirming that you’re transferring to a new provider, pay attention!

If you didn’t action this transfer yourself, it’s likely that you’re experiencing identity theft. If porting is completed, you’ll no longer receive messages and notifications meant for you, meaning that a fraudster can intercept your calls and use any banking information sent to you. 

This latest scam is when a criminal is able to duplicate your number to another SIM card. Pay special attention to all messages received from your network service provider regarding Twin SIM functionality – if you ignore a notification, your SIM card duplication will go ahead, giving the fraudster full access to any sensitive banking information sent to you. 

If you ever receive a logon notification when you haven’t logged on to Absa Online Banking yourself, do not switch your phone off. Contact the Fraud Hotline immediately at 0860 557 557.