The SIM card cloning It is a major security problem that can get an intruder into your accounts. For example, you could get to read SMS messages and enter the bank account or use your social networks. It could also impersonate your identity and get to shop on your behalf. In this article we are going to talk about how to detect if your mobile card has been cloned and what to do to avoid it.

How to know if they have cloned the SIM card
To solve a problem, the first thing of all is knowing that we really have that problem. Therefore, detecting that they have cloned a SIM card is essential to find a way to solve it. This type of attack is also known as SIM Swapping and when it happens it is usually quite visible.

Calls don't work
The first sign that something is wrong is when you don't receive calls. You try calling yourself from another phone and you see that it sounds correctly, that it gives tone, but really your phone is not ringing. Logically that will indicate that there is something strange and you will begin to suspect that your SIM card has been stolen.

We can say that it is one of the most common problems. When a person suffers from a SIM Swapping attack, they usually notice when they see that they do not receive a call, although someone else says they are in tune.

Messages do not arrive
Something similar occurs with text messages. You see that you do not receive SMS and you are sure that you should receive one, for example for the mobile access key. Precisely hackers aim to take control of these messages. In this way they will be able to control other accounts, such as social networks or the bank.

SMS today, while they may seem to be in disuse, are more important than ever. Think of a payment you make online and the code that reaches your mobile to verify it. The same when making a transfer, entering a social network from another team, etc. It is what is known as two-step authentication and basically it is a code that you receive by SMS. Hackers may aim to clone a SIM precisely to access those codes.

Internet connection is gone
One more sign that there is something strange with your SIM card is if you lose connection. You try connecting many times, you know you are in a covered area but it doesn't work. Basically it is as if you did not have the card inserted in the mobile. You do not receive a signal and you could not call, send messages or navigate either.

However, losing your Internet connection can occur for many reasons. If this happens to you, it is better to confirm it with sending SMS or receiving calls. The connection may have gone simply due to a specific problem with the line or a mobile failure for any reason that you do not control.

You have a different location
You may try to look at the phone location and it appears as if you were somewhere else. It is as if your mobile line was in another city or country. This may mean that your SIM card has been cloned without you knowing it and it is certainly an alert signal and something that will make you take steps to fix it.

It is common for someone who has cloned your SIM card to be somewhere else. A SIM Swapping attack supplants your identity and someone else receives the card anywhere else like it's really you. It would be highly unlikely that that person's location was the same as you have.

Rare messages come to you
Another reason for alert is when you start receiving strange messages. You may see SMS even from the attacker, where it tells you what to do to solve a certain problem. That step is what could allow you to finally clone your mobile card and take control. However, if you receive SMS it means that the cloning has not been completely done yet.

If you could receive emails once your mobile card has been attacked. You could start receiving strange emails from the attacker or also from any other Internet service you are using.

Tips to prevent them from cloning the mobile card
After explaining what signs will indicate that they have cloned a SIM card, we will explain what you should do to prevent this from happening. The objective in this case is to be prepared not to suffer cyber attacks of this type and to be able to protect your mobile line from possible intruders.

Contact the company as soon as possible
If you find yourself in any of the situations we have described above, the first thing you should do is contact as soon as possible with the company. You must indicate that you do not receive calls, SMS or that you notice that there is something strange with your line. They will help you see what could have happened and take action quickly.

In these cases the most important thing is to cut the problem as soon as possible. If an attacker has managed to duplicate the SIM card, they will be able to take control of your accounts and put you in a bind. Solventing the problem is essential.

Avoid filtering your data on the Internet
These attacks usually occur because someone has obtained your personal data. With these data they have contacted the operator and have requested a duplicate SIM card. But how could they obtain the data? They could have done it if you have left your personal information on the Internet on a page, you have registered on an insecure platform or through some virus that have strained you into the system.

With all this they could obtain data that they can use against you, to impersonate your identity. Avoid making your personal information public, for example in open forums, comments on websites, etc. This also includes your phone number, which is what they will mainly use.

Install security programs
To avoid the entry of malware, something essential is to have a good antivirus. Security programs can help detect threats and allow you to clean up the system so there are no Trojans, keyloggers, or any malicious software that may be stealing personal information.

There are many options available. Some that work very well are for example Windows Defender or Avast. It does not matter what operating system you are using, as there can always be security problems and they should be avoided.

Common sense
But without a doubt the most important thing of all is common sense. Avoid making mistakes is what will help you not to be a victim of SIM Swapping. For example, one strategy they use is to phone to request personal data or tell you that you have to do something to solve an alleged problem.

Avoiding mistakes of this kind is essential. Whenever you have doubts, it is best to contact the operator directly. Never put data through a rare link that reaches you by mail, or install applications that may be a fraud and compromise your privacy. We are not only talking about the problem of duplicating a mobile card, but many other threats.

In short, as you can see you can take into account some recommendations to detect when your SIM card has been cloned. But it is important to always take precautions and not fall into traps that affect your privacy.