{"id":33825,"date":"2026-10-15T08:42:41","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T08:42:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/?p=33825"},"modified":"2026-10-15T08:42:41","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T08:42:41","slug":"sim-swapping-how-they-steal-your-accounts-with-your-number","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/sim-swapping-how-they-steal-your-accounts-with-your-number","title":{"rendered":"SIM swapping: how they steal your accounts with your number"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Alternar tabla de contenidos\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #ffffff;color:#ffffff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #ffffff;color:#ffffff\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/sim-swapping-how-they-steal-your-accounts-with-your-number\/#what_sim_swapping_is\" >What SIM swapping is<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/sim-swapping-how-they-steal-your-accounts-with-your-number\/#how_the_attack_works_step_by_step\" >How the attack works step by step<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/sim-swapping-how-they-steal-your-accounts-with-your-number\/#collection_of_personal_data\" >Collection of personal data<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/sim-swapping-how-they-steal-your-accounts-with-your-number\/#request_for_the_duplicate\" >Request for the duplicate<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/sim-swapping-how-they-steal-your-accounts-with-your-number\/#account_hijacking_through_sms\" >Account hijacking through SMS<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/sim-swapping-how-they-steal-your-accounts-with-your-number\/#why_it_also_affects_your_crypto\" >Why it also affects your crypto<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/sim-swapping-how-they-steal-your-accounts-with-your-number\/#the_vulnerability_in_centralized_exchanges\" >The vulnerability in centralized exchanges<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/sim-swapping-how-they-steal-your-accounts-with-your-number\/#the_key_difference_with_self-custody\" >The key difference with self-custody<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/sim-swapping-how-they-steal-your-accounts-with-your-number\/#signs_that_you_are_being_a_victim\" >Signs that you are being a victim<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/sim-swapping-how-they-steal-your-accounts-with-your-number\/#sudden_loss_of_mobile_coverage\" >Sudden loss of mobile coverage<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/sim-swapping-how-they-steal-your-accounts-with-your-number\/#unrequested_notifications_and_notices_from_the_carrier\" >Unrequested notifications and notices from the carrier<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/sim-swapping-how-they-steal-your-accounts-with-your-number\/#security_alerts_and_inactivity_in_smscalls\" >Security alerts and inactivity in SMS\/calls<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/sim-swapping-how-they-steal-your-accounts-with-your-number\/#how_to_protect_yourself_from_sim_swapping\" >How to protect yourself from SIM swapping<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/sim-swapping-how-they-steal-your-accounts-with-your-number\/#replace_sms_authentication_with_apps_or_passkeys\" >Replace SMS authentication with apps or passkeys<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/sim-swapping-how-they-steal-your-accounts-with-your-number\/#reinforce_security_with_your_carrier\" >Reinforce security with your carrier<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/sim-swapping-how-they-steal-your-accounts-with-your-number\/#maintain_strict_personal_data_hygiene\" >Maintain strict personal data hygiene<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/sim-swapping-how-they-steal-your-accounts-with-your-number\/#offline_safekeeping_of_crypto_keys\" >Offline safekeeping of crypto keys<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/sim-swapping-how-they-steal-your-accounts-with-your-number\/#what_to_do_if_it_has_already_happened_to_you\" >What to do if it has already happened to you<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/sim-swapping-how-they-steal-your-accounts-with-your-number\/#frequently_asked_questions_about_sim_swapping\" >Frequently asked questions about SIM swapping<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Tiempo de lectura:<\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 7<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutos<\/span><\/span><p><strong>Imagine the following situation: you are browsing on your phone when, from one second to the next, coverage disappears completely and the screen shows the message \u00abNo service\u00bb or \u00abEmergency calls only\u00bb<\/strong>. You think it is a temporary network failure, but minutes later, when you connect to a Wi-Fi network, alarming notifications begin arriving in your email: password change requests, logins from unknown devices and verification codes you never requested. Without moving from your spot, they have just hijacked your phone number and, with it, the access key to your digital life.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-33826 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1-11.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"612\" height=\"408\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1-11.jpg 612w, https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1-11-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Indeed, this scene is the starting point of <strong>SIM swapping<\/strong> (or fraudulent SIM duplication), one of the most dangerous and invisible cyberattack techniques today. In this article you will discover exactly what this threat is, how attackers operate step by step to deceive carriers, why your cryptocurrency funds and bank accounts are in the crosshairs, and what concrete measures you should take to shield your line or react in time if it happens to you.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what_sim_swapping_is\"><\/span><strong>What SIM swapping is<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In simple terms, <strong>SIM swapping<\/strong> is a cyberattack technique based on identity theft where a criminal deceives your telephone company into issuing a duplicate of your SIM card in their name.<\/p>\n<p>As a consequence of this process, by transferring your number to a chip under their control, your phone loses the line completely, while the attacker begins receiving all your calls and text messages. This allows them to intercept verification SMS (2FA codes) and invade most of your digital accounts, banks and social networks.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-33827 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/2-11.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"612\" height=\"408\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/2-11.jpg 612w, https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/2-11-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In fact, the National Cybersecurity Institute (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.incibe.es\/index.php\/ciudadania\/tematicas\">INCIBE<\/a>) and its citizen assistance channel classify <strong>SIM swapping<\/strong> as a critical form of impersonation. The attack does not exploit a software flaw in your phone, but rather a breach in the verification controls of the carriers, combined with the use of prior <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/que-es-phishing-un-ataque-habitual-en-el-mundo-crypto#pll_switcher\">phishing<\/a> or social engineering to obtain the victim&#8217;s personal data.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how_the_attack_works_step_by_step\"><\/span><strong>How the attack works step by step<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Unlike other frauds, <strong>SIM swapping<\/strong> does not require exploiting your phone&#8217;s operating system or decrypting complex algorithms. Its effectiveness lies in social engineering and in taking advantage of the gaps in the identity verification processes of telephone companies. The attack follows a coordinated sequence in three main phases:<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"collection_of_personal_data\"><\/span><strong>Collection of personal data<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>First, before contacting the carrier, the cybercriminal gathers the information necessary to impersonate you. To obtain this data, they resort to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Phishing and smishing:<\/strong> Fraudulent emails or SMS that pretend to be from your bank or carrier so that you enter your credentials.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dark web leaks:<\/strong> Databases stolen from compromised platforms or e-commerce sites.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Social engineering and social networks:<\/strong> Public profiles where personal data is exposed, or impersonation calls to request the remaining data.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"request_for_the_duplicate\"><\/span><strong>Request for the duplicate<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Later, with your data in hand, the attacker contacts the telephone company to request the transfer of the line to a new chip under their control:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Telephone or web support:<\/strong> They impersonate the account holder, answer security questions with the stolen information and request the activation of an eSIM or the sending of a new chip.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Physical stores:<\/strong> They go to a physical point of sale presenting a falsified identity document.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Internal complicity:<\/strong> In more elaborate cases, they resort to the collaboration of employees of the company itself who process the procedure omitting the verification protocols.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"account_hijacking_through_sms\"><\/span><strong>Account hijacking through SMS<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Finally, once the line is active on their device, the attacker executes the decisive phase of the fraud:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Password resets:<\/strong> They start the \u00abForgot my password\u00bb process on your email accounts, social networks and financial platforms.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Interception of 2FA codes:<\/strong> They directly receive the one-time verification SMS sent by the services to validate the changes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Access to funds and services:<\/strong> They log in, change access credentials, authorize bank transfers or request quick loans before you can react.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"why_it_also_affects_your_crypto\"><\/span><strong>Why it also affects your crypto<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Likewise, the cryptoasset ecosystem has become one of the priority targets of cybercriminals who carry out <strong>SIM swapping<\/strong>. Unlike traditional bank transfers, transactions on the blockchain are irreversible by nature.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"the_vulnerability_in_centralized_exchanges\"><\/span><strong>The vulnerability in centralized exchanges<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>On the one hand, centralized exchanges (CEX) habitually depend on the email address and two-step verification by SMS to confirm logins, password changes and fund withdrawals.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, when an attacker takes control of your phone number:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>They request access reset on the platform via SMS or email.<\/li>\n<li>They intercept the verification codes sent to your hijacked line.<\/li>\n<li>They log in, change the security credentials and liquidate or transfer your cryptocurrencies to external wallets within minutes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-33828 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/4-11.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"612\" height=\"408\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/4-11.jpg 612w, https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/4-11-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Because of this excessive dependence on SMS as a recovery method, both high-profile investors and private users have lost millions of euros in lightning attacks.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"the_key_difference_with_self-custody\"><\/span><strong>The key difference with self-custody<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>However, it is essential to distinguish between keeping funds on a centralized platform and safeguarding them through a <strong>non-custodial wallet (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/self-custody-in-the-crypto-world-importance-and-benefits\">self-custody<\/a>)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>On centralized platforms:<\/strong> Access to your funds is linked to web credentials, emails and SMS verifications. If the attacker breaches your mobile line, they breach your account.<\/li>\n<li><strong>In self-custody wallets:<\/strong> Control of the assets resides exclusively in your private keys and in your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/what-is-the-seed-phrase-and-why-is-it-so-important\">seed phrase<\/a>. It does not depend on the telephone network, nor on the mobile number, nor on any central server.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For this reason, even if a criminal duplicates your SIM card, they will not be able to access the cryptocurrencies stored in a <strong>self-custody wallet<\/strong>, unless you have made the mistake of saving a digital copy of your recovery phrase in an email, cloud note or screenshot inside the exposed device.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"signs_that_you_are_being_a_victim\"><\/span><strong>Signs that you are being a victim<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In these situations, reaction speed is the determining factor in lessening the consequences of <strong>SIM swapping<\/strong>. Identifying the initial anomalies before attackers consolidate control over your platforms will allow you to act in time:<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"sudden_loss_of_mobile_coverage\"><\/span><strong>Sudden loss of mobile coverage<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Without a doubt, it is the first technical symptom and the most obvious. If your phone screen abruptly shows messages such as \u00abNo service\u00bb, \u00abEmergency calls only\u00bb or the total absence of network in a place where you normally have good signal, do not assume it is a general outage. If the people around you maintain coverage with the same company as you, it is very likely that your SIM has been deactivated by the issuance of a duplicate.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-33829 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/5-11.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"612\" height=\"459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/5-11.jpg 612w, https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/5-11-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"unrequested_notifications_and_notices_from_the_carrier\"><\/span><strong>Unrequested notifications and notices from the carrier<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Often, the telephone company sends an automatic confirmation SMS or an email when processing a request (\u00abWe have received your SIM duplicate request\u00bb or \u00abYour eSIM has been activated on a new device\u00bb). If you receive a message of this type without having carried out any procedure, the impersonation is underway.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"security_alerts_and_inactivity_in_smscalls\"><\/span><strong>Security alerts and inactivity in SMS\/calls<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>On the other hand, even if you remain connected to the Internet through a Wi-Fi network, you will stop receiving conventional phone calls and SMS. A few minutes later, you will begin receiving security notifications in your email:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unrequested password reset notices.<\/li>\n<li>Login alerts from unknown locations or devices.<\/li>\n<li>Automatic logouts and inability to access your email, banking applications or cryptocurrency exchange platforms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how_to_protect_yourself_from_sim_swapping\"><\/span><strong>How to protect yourself from SIM swapping<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Although telecommunications companies continue to reinforce their protocols, combined prevention between your digital habits and your line settings is decisive. Organizations such as the Internet User Security Office (INCIBE Ciudadan\u00eda) advise applying the following containment measures:<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"replace_sms_authentication_with_apps_or_passkeys\"><\/span><strong>Replace SMS authentication with apps or passkeys<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Since SMS is the weakest link in the two-factor authentication because it depends on the telephone network. Migrate your banking, email and exchange access to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Authentication apps (TOTP):<\/strong> Google Authenticator, Authy or Microsoft Authenticator generate local codes on your physical device that do not travel over the telephone network.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Physical keys or Passkeys:<\/strong> Tools based on hardware or local biometrics that prevent access even if the attacker controls your phone number.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"reinforce_security_with_your_carrier\"><\/span><strong>Reinforce security with your carrier<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Likewise, it is advisable to contact your mobile provider to raise the administrative restrictions on your line through:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Activated SIM PIN:<\/strong> Prevents use of the chip in case of physical theft of the phone.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Verbal password or security PIN:<\/strong> Ask the company to require a unique non-transferable password or mandatory in-person verification to authorize any card duplicate or migration to eSIM.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"maintain_strict_personal_data_hygiene\"><\/span><strong>Maintain strict personal data hygiene<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In this sense, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.policia.es\/_en\/index.php\">National Police<\/a> warns that information publicly exposed facilitates impersonation before call centers:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Limit exposure on networks:<\/strong> Hide sensitive data such as date of birth, ID number, address or telephone number.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Distrust phishing:<\/strong> Do not enter credentials in links received by SMS, nor provide codes through unverified calls.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"offline_safekeeping_of_crypto_keys\"><\/span><strong>Offline safekeeping of crypto keys<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In the field of cryptocurrencies, remember that your seed phrase must never be stored on the phone, photos or cloud notes. If you keep your assets in self-custody solutions and your private keys remain stored on physical media, a fraudulent SIM duplicate will not be able to compromise your funds.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what_to_do_if_it_has_already_happened_to_you\"><\/span><strong>What to do if it has already happened to you<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If your phone loses signal suddenly and you suspect an unauthorized duplicate, the first minutes are critical. The official urgent action protocol recommended by INCIBE and the Security Forces and Corps consists of four essential steps:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Immediate contact with the carrier:<\/strong> Call your telephone company from another terminal, report the fraud to the security department and request the urgent preventive blocking of the SIM card and the cancellation of any active duplicate.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Notice to financial entities and exchanges:<\/strong> Immediately notify your banks and exchanges to freeze operations, revoke open sessions and block outgoing transfers.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Password change from a secure device:<\/strong> Access your main email accounts and linked services to change access passwords and log out on all connected devices.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Formal report and technical assistance:<\/strong> File a report with the National Police or the <a href=\"https:\/\/web.guardiacivil.es\/en\/index.html\">Civil Guard<\/a> providing the bank statements and the proof of the duplicate issued by the carrier. To receive free and confidential support during the process, you can contact the INCIBE Cybersecurity Help Line <a href=\"https:\/\/www.incibe.es\/menores\/educadores\/estamos-contigo-cuenta-con-el-017\">017<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-33830 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/7-6-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/7-6-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/7-6-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/7-6-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/7-6-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/7-6-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/7-6-scaled.jpg 1707w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"frequently_asked_questions_about_sim_swapping\"><\/span><strong>Frequently asked questions about SIM swapping<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Can they make a SIM duplicate without my ID?<\/strong> Although the law requires ID, attackers use stolen data, fake photocopies or deceive operators by phone and in physical stores.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Does an eSIM protect me?<\/strong> The administrative procedure is the same; if they impersonate your identity, the criminal can request the QR code and install your line on their mobile.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Is SMS 2FA secure?<\/strong> It is the most vulnerable two-factor method. If they duplicate your SIM, they intercept all your codes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>What do I do if I suddenly lose coverage?<\/strong> Check if others have signal. If only yours fails, immediately call your carrier from another phone to verify if there is a duplicate in progress and block the line.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Staying alert to sudden failures in your line and acting quickly will make the difference in neutralizing the impact of this scam.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Tiempo de lectura:<\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 7<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutos<\/span><\/span>Imagine the following situation: you are browsing on your phone when, from one second to the next, coverage disappears completely and the screen shows the message \u00abNo service\u00bb or \u00abEmergency calls only\u00bb. You think it is a temporary network failure, but minutes later, when you connect to a Wi-Fi network, alarming notifications begin arriving in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":43,"featured_media":33818,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[185],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33825","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blockchain-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33825","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/43"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33825"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33825\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33831,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33825\/revisions\/33831"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33818"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33825"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33825"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33825"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}