Police have issued a warning after a complex sim card fraud emerged in Angus.
A local lost a “four-figure sum” of money in the mobile phone scam, the first signs of which are a loss of signal.
The scam is known by several names including a “sim swap”, “sim split or “sim interception attack”.
Tayside Police Division say if the mobile phone owner does not take immediate action following a loss of service, it gives fraudsters “sufficient time to commit the fraud”.
Compromised personal data can be obtained by fraudsters via overseas criminals – with online bank account details and statements among the information which can be obtained.
A parallel business account can then be set up in the victim’s name if the scammers gain telephone access to their bank details and current account. Transfers to the new account are then said to be “less suspicious”.
Police and Action Fraud have issued advice on how to protect yourself from the fraudsters:
- Always make sure you have suitable anti-virus software installed and that your firewall is switched on.
- Always consider what you are downloading – do not open files from unknown sources.
- Be wary of ‘pop-ups’ requesting unsolicited downloads.
- If you discover a virus on your computer, disconnect from the internet immediately and ask a specialist for advice.
- When creating a password, try not to use the same password for more than one account. This will prevent further accounts being taken over if one has been compromised.
- Use complicated passwords: vary the case, use 8 or more characters. Never use personal information such as names or dates of birth.
- Try not to post information on social media such as your birth date, your first pet, or school as these are normally included in security questions to reset your password. Fraudsters may use these answers to access your account via the “Forgot Password” link.
There is more information at www.actionfraud.police.uk.
