You may lose your SIM card, either independently or with your device, and it might land you in big trouble. A SIM card is not just a simple microchip that allows you to access mobile data, make calls, and send texts. It has your phone number, hence you should be more concerned after losing it. Remember that a registered mobile number receives OTP (one-time password) for various accounts you have, be it social media, online bank, or online courses. Therefore, your SIM card in the wrong hands results in losing your access to those accounts. Even worse, the offender could employ them instead. The crime they commit by exploiting your missing SIM card is called identity theft.
Ways lost SIM cards can be misused
As already mentioned, the culprit can abuse access to your SIM card in a variety of ways. Optimists among us will guess the chances of misuse aren’t high. After all, an honest person who finds your lost SIM may call you to return it, but this doesn’t happen every time. Your lost SIM card may fall into the hands of an immoral person. They may use it to make calls and send SMS, resulting in an increased phone bill. Moreover, the calls and texts they make could be malicious and trouble you socially and legally.
The offender may get access to your various accounts like WhatsApp, Facebook, or online banking, too. As pointed out, they use two-factor authentication and send an OTP to verify. Remember to take immediate action to stop this all—even a few minutes are enough to make the damage. Don’t wait long to find or block the SIM.
What to do when your SIM card is gone
The first thing you should do when your SIM card is missing, possibly stolen, is to call the customer service representative of your mobile network carrier and report the issue. That person will likely ask about your full name, address, and civil ID details for identity verification. After you provide enough proof, ask them to deactivate the SIM card immediately. This way you can stop the misuse of your SIM card as early as possible.
The customer service hotline works 24×7 in most cases, so don’t waste time waiting. You can call in the wee hours of the night. If you don’t remember the number, go to the official website of your carrier and get it there. Ask a friend or relative using the same carrier as yours to make the call if you don’t have an extra SIM belonging to the same carrier.
After your SIM card is blocked, go to the nearest outlet of your carrier along with your civil ID. Bring a copy of your lost SIM card’s FIR (First Information Report) if you have lodged a police complaint and related documents. Request a new SIM card afterward. At a nominal fee, you will get a new SIM card with the same phone number and payment plan, i.e., identical to those you’ve had on your previous SIM.
However, you will lose your data like contacts and SMS messages saved on your old SIM card. The new SIM will take a few hours to activate. If your SIM card is lost along with the phone, it is recommended to file a police complaint. This will save you from any legal trouble if the offender misuses your phone and SIM.
What not to do if your SIM card is poached or missing
Here are pointers on things you shouldn’t do when you lose or have your SIM swiped:
- Don’t panic, i.e., remain calm. In haste, you may make some wrong decisions and lose the chances of getting your SIM card back.
- Don’t spend too much time looking for your missing SIM, as it may give the perpetrator time to do something nefarious.
- In case you have dropped your phone somewhere, don’t dial the number inside as it might ring. A previously unnoticed phone may be spotted by someone who doesn’t intend on returning it. It is better if you visit the suspected as soon as possible and try to find it yourself first.
- A person wants that wants to give your lost phone or SIM card back will try to contact you somehow. If nobody does, chances are it is stolen. Consequently, it’s better if you don’t call your number repeatedly. The person who took it might turn the device off or take the SIM out. This way, the police cannot trace your SIM card’s location as easily.
The steps, precautions, and consequences mentioned in the article about your missing SIM card are universal. In other words, they apply regardless of the country you’re in, with minor discrepancies. Remember to read (or remind yourself) about how secure a SIM card is to avoid the efforts we described above. Your SIM card is the key to all of your online accounts. Don’t let it fall into the hands of a sinful person.