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Sim Swap Scamming Prevention Check

By: othalian | 01-12-2018 14:40

Our phones are an integral part of us these days and on so many levels. And it is being used more-and-more in the two factor authentication process by various organisation which include banks and Amazon to name two. However, scammer too are realising this which is why "Sim Swap" scams are on the rise.

If you don't know what "Sim Swap" scams are it's when someone contacts a phone provider and requests a replacement sim card because it was lost, damaged, eaten by the dog, you name it. And oh by the way could you transfer all "my" stuff over to the new sim, please. You the owner might not notice it has happened for a few days and by then the scammer has accessed your bank account, etc.

My suggestion is for us all as a community to come up with a system of quick checks which can be carried out prior to a replacement sim being issued.

Idea 1. You are allocated a PassCode calculated on elements of your profile. No-one would know which elements are used to create this PassCode so it would be hard to recreate if not impossible.

Once issued with this PassCode you would be required to print it off and keep it safe. The page would have just enough information on it to remind YOU what the PassCode is for and not anyone else.

Idea 2. You nominate someone as a "Sim Friend", for want of a better name, within your profile. If a sim is requested then your "Sim Friend" would receive an sms which would ask them to contact you and confirm they did indeed request a replacement sim. Your "Sim Friend" would then press either a "Yes" or "No" link within the message to confirm or decline the request on your behalf. However, this option only works if Giffgaff retains secure servers of course.

Those are my suggestions but if someone can provide better, simpler solution then let's hear it. But we as a community can't just ignore it and hope it won't happen to us. Let's act now and protect us all from these sorts of scams. Also, it might be a great selling point for new members too.


by: helen_leigh
on: 13-01-2019 12:57

I haven't had this happen to me yet but that's not to say it won't. Anything that improves security in use I'm valuable. I'm no techy so have no idea of the best way to do it but would welcome this.

by: starkey93
on: 13-01-2019 12:51

An idea like this wouldn't hurt anything to stop scammers I like it and I will be supporting you too xx

by: yerdua
on: 13-01-2019 07:40

I am 76 years old and am always aware of scammers and would appreciate any further security measures as long as I can understand how to operate them as well. I did receive a strange e mail from Giff Gaff on my new iPhone yesterday which I thought might be a scam as it queried where I had been when I had used my phone recently and oh by the way I also got a new phone recently but switched my sim? I don't know whether to change my password or order a new sim. Anyone got any ideas?

by: fabiyes
on: 12-01-2019 15:11

Wonderful idea

by: karenyates
on: 12-01-2019 10:34

Anything that boosts security is a plus.????

by: pinkunykorn
on: 11-01-2019 19:20


by: claire1uk
on: 11-01-2019 17:00

Supported. Good luck ????

by: pwincess2k13
on: 11-01-2019 01:58


by: ray2
on: 10-01-2019 08:27

I have read that anyone doing a sim swap will now recieve a txt to let them know,so if a member did not request it,this can be stopped a lot quicker than finding out in a few days when your phone stops working.

This message is from giffgaff staff ben around this subject

To better protect against SIM swaps that our members are unaware of, we’ve built upon the confirmation email we already send to advise that the SIM swap is in progress - you’ll now receive a SIM swap confirmation text message to your phone where you have the possibility to immediately raise a case with the agents if you were not the one that requested the SIM swap.

Also the link to the whole thread

Security update

by: ungourin
on: 10-01-2019 00:24

very clevet