Reports of criminals hijacking phone numbers via sim cards to steal bank security codes have doubled since 2023. Criminals are doing this by posing as the victim over the phone to convince their phone provider to switch the number to a new sim card that the criminal is in possession of. Once the number is linked to their own Sim, the criminal can attempt to access the victim's online banking, email and social media accounts as the one-time passwords (OTP) would now go the number on their Sim card.

Action Fraud state that reports of Sim-card fraud have reached over 2000 at the end of November 2024, having doubled from 2023. There are many reasons for this, such as an aging population and technological advancements. Action Fraud believe that the surge in fraud reports is likely due to an increase in public awareness of Sim swapping.

5 steps to prevent Sim-swap fraud:

- Secure your mobile account: Ask your network provider about any additional security.

- Turn on Multi-Factor Authorisation: Most email, social media and online bank accounts can be secured with multi or two-factor authentication. Avoid SMS-based checks if you can (although they're still better than no MFA at all).

- Clean up your online profile: Restrict who can see your social media profiles and avoid sharing details such as your date of birth and phone number.

- Recognise the signs and act: Call your network immediately if you receive an unexpected message about your Sim being ported or a PAC request.

- Tell your banks: Warn any financial organisations so that they can freeze your accounts, and keep a close eye on your bank statements, email and social media accounts for unusual activity. Change your passwords and disable SMS as an authentication method.