SIM swap frauds rising in India, how to protect your SIM by changing it to eSIM

When Apple launched its iPhone 14 series in the fall event 2022, it announced that all the iPhone 14 models retailing in the US will not have physical SIM slots. This means, iPhone 14 will only support eSIM. While the presence of eSIM is not new, it became the talk of the town after iPhone 14 launch. Especially in India where many people wait for their relatives to bring them iPhones from the US as it is relatively cheaper, they were left with only two options: either to switch to eSIM or buy an iPhone from India itself. While the concept of eSIM is not widely embraced, it is significantly more secure and beneficial compared to physical SIM. And when we cite benefits it's not just the convenience but safety from cyber attacks like SIM swap frauds.

There has been a significant rise in SIM swap fraud cases in the past few years. Hackers are targeting people and taking advantage of two two-factor authentication and verification used during the activation of a new SIM card with the same number.

What is SIM swap fraud

To initiate SIM swap, fraudsters first buy a new SIM and then contact the phone's carrier operator to activate it with the same number of other people on the pretext of losing the older SIM card. Later, they trick the person to give OTP and once the activation is complete the scammers get control over the targeted person's phone number. From that moment, all the calls and texts will be forwarded to the scammer's smartphone, which they later use to clean bank accounts.

So how to prevent SIM swap fraud? While there are many ways through which you can be aware of any scammer, one of the safest ways is to switch to eSIM. It's the digital version of a traditional SIM card that can be embedded directly into a device. Unlike traditional SIM cards where we see a dedicated slot to put the SIM in.

It also holds several benefits including:

• eSIMs can be easily activated and deactivated remotely, allowing for multiple phone numbers and plans to be stored on a single device.
• eSIM eliminates the need for a physical SIM card to be inserted or removed thus no fear of losing, damage, or getting it stolen.
• The digital SIM also allows for multiple phone numbers and plans to be stored on a single device, making it easier to switch between different carriers or plans.
• eSIMs can be activated remotely without having to visit a store or wait for a physical SIM card to be delivered.

How eSIM can prevent SIM swaps

To activate eSIM you have to register yourself with your details and Personal Identifiable Information (PII). You can also set biometric authentication like face ID or fingerprints to enable multiple layers of security to secure your eSIM account.

Additionally, there is no physical SIM card in an eSIM system, so no scammer can claim that their SIM card got lost or damaged as all the identity details will reside in your phone. Thus preventing cybercriminals from acquiring another SIM card or re-registering the number in their name.

How to change your SIM to eSIM

To convert your eSIM first check if your smartphone supports eSIM and if your telecom operator provides eSIM facility. As for Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone-Idea, the telecom operator offers e-SIM at no additional cost.

How to convert Jio SIM to e-SIM

• Type "GETE-SIM " and send SMS to 199.
• To get IMEI number type *#06# and send.
• To get the EID number go to Settings> About phone > and find "EID."
• You will receive a 19-digit virtual eSIM number via SMS and registered email ID.

Notably, if you have not registered your email ID with your existing telecom operator, you will be asked first to update the email and then reinitiate the eSIM process.

• Now, after getting the eSIM number, send another SMS "SIMCHG " to 199.
• Jio will send you an update on eSIM procession within 1-2 hours. It will take around 1-2 hours.
• Next, type "1" and send an SMS to 183 to request an automated call from +91 2235072222. On the call, dial '1' to confirm.
• Once the process is completed, you can go to the eSIM setting on the smartphone and tap on install 'Data plan' to activate your eSIM.
• Make sure your phone is connected to mobile data/Wi-Fi during the process.
• On iPhone, go to Settings > Mobile Data > Add Data Plan > Scan QR code > e-SIM.

How to convert Airtel SIM to e-SIM

• Send an SMS - "e-SIMregistered email id" to 121.
• Confirm the initiation process by replying back with "1".
• After confirmation, Airtel will send you an SMS asking you to provide consent over a call. Authenticate your ID over the call.
• After the authentication, you will receive a QR code on your registered email ID.
• Scan that QR code to enable e-SIM services.
• Your eSIM will be activated in around 2 hours.

How to convert Vodafone-idea SIM to e-SIM

• SMS e-SIMregistered email ID to 199.
• Confirm your request by replying "E-SIMY".
• Give your consent over a call.
• Next, you will receive SMS with the QR Code for e-SIM activation on your registered email ID.