So here is the story, I have used my number since 2008 and lost it recently when I moved to the UK. According to MTN the number was removed from the network on 19 January because of non-use. Then about a week ago I received an email from Facebook that someone using my MTN number tried to reset my Facebook using the number and Facebook wanted confirmation. Knowing my number was no longer active, I got curious, asked someone in SA to check and indeed the number was active again. The number activated WhatsApp and the people who did not know I had changed my WhatsApp number (in the beginning of March when I realised I no longer had access to the number) continued chatting with the guy and he pretended to be me. He got bolder, asking for small loans from male contacts and nudes from females. While I have contacted Facebook and WhatsApp I contacted MTN and eventually the official communication was that despite the fact that the guy is misrepresenting using my old number, its a social media issue which I should take up with the respective social media platforms and with SAPS for the identity theft but on their own end there is nothing they can do. What does the law say on this?
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Identity Theft Through Recycled MTN Number
- Thread starter TFTC
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Heisenborg
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If you ever experienced identity theft, you would know that your experience is not that.
You can let people know to remove that number, its not rocket science. The onus is on you, mtn followed icasa regulations, simple as that
You can let people know to remove that number, its not rocket science. The onus is on you, mtn followed icasa regulations, simple as that
When a number is recycled it doesn't go with the contacts of the previous owner. How did the new user of the number get your contacts?
You should have notified all institutions of your new number (tedious, and too late). Isn't the two-way identification avoiding that? I wish one could use a mail address to receive OTPs.
Am I wrong in saying that MTN should have "parked" your number at least 6 months? This is a big issue.
A friend converted her number from contract to pre-paid and moved to UK. Missed using the SA number and suddenly couldn't bank anymore in SA because the OTPs were sent to that lost number (even though there was airtime on that number when it was cancelled)... And now try to tell your bank in SA that you have a new mobile number!
What does the law say? Good luck...
The new owner of the number chatted back on wapp to the old contacts. The address book wasn't compromised, I gather.
Am I wrong in saying that MTN should have "parked" your number at least 6 months? This is a big issue.
A friend converted her number from contract to pre-paid and moved to UK. Missed using the SA number and suddenly couldn't bank anymore in SA because the OTPs were sent to that lost number (even though there was airtime on that number when it was cancelled)... And now try to tell your bank in SA that you have a new mobile number!
What does the law say? Good luck...
The new owner of the number chatted back on wapp to the old contacts. The address book wasn't compromised, I gather.
PaulB_
Senior Member
I can confirm that is the case. A family member of mine had SA number, although lives overseas now, that number he had suddenly had an african guy as his profile picture, and status was something in what looked like Xhosa, my only view, is that the number got recycled, WhatsApp reactivated it on another phone, if you have that number previously as a whatsapp contact, and didn't delete it, it's not going to delete itself. It will be up to you to inform contacts that you no longer use that number, and they should delete it from their phones.
TEXTILE GUY
Honorary Master
I think the issue of the old number linked to an account is a whatsapp issue .... and yeah .... its up to you to sort it out.
I got a second US sim from Spectrum. Tried to add whatsapp, and I was kindly informed that the number was banned.
When we finally got hold of support via Spectrum, it turned out the number had been banned previously for kiddy porn
Recycled numbers.
They gave me a second sim - also banned, not sure for what, and we didn't bother to ask. Murica, anything is possible ......
Finally they gave me a new number.
Sorted ....................
I got a second US sim from Spectrum. Tried to add whatsapp, and I was kindly informed that the number was banned.
When we finally got hold of support via Spectrum, it turned out the number had been banned previously for kiddy porn
Recycled numbers.They gave me a second sim - also banned, not sure for what, and we didn't bother to ask. Murica, anything is possible ......
Finally they gave me a new number.
Sorted ....................
Azbubu
Honorary Master
Were they successful in acquiring said loans and more importantly, nudes?
sensus communis
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Got a Pre Paid sim for the kid from MTN , everyday the debt collectors keep calling looking for some guy. They don't listen , just keeps calling
PaulB_
Senior Member
Also lost count of the threatening SMS messages I had been receiving from debt collectors looking for a "Mr. M. Magic" Actually ended up contacting the number one of the messages, and told then "I am not the person they are looking for, and what they are doing constitutes harassment" I haven't heard from them again since..
I had that problem. Everytime they called, I placed the phone next to a hifi speaker (with radio station playing) without saying anything.
Took a few times and they stopped calling.
I have a week old MTN prepaid SIM card. I know the name of the previous owner because the debt collectors have been calling. However I cannot tell any other detail of this owner from those calls. I cannot see his (it’s a male from the names) contacts on WhatsApp. His contacts can see me I agree but they would immediately know that they are dealing with a different person if they knew the previous owner well.
Genial. I have been telling them politely that I am not ....and that this is a recycled number. I think that’s why they call again. Next time I will do as you did.
Just say: Yes, speaking, and hear what they want. I did, and the caller went on about the money I owe (them), bla, bla.. And I confirmed: Yes, and? They get really annoyed if you tell them: So? Then find me. It's actually hilarious.
I really like to know what they do if they get the real Mr. Magic on the line. Funny is also when the get that my accent is not Xkosa. And then ask if I know Mr. Magic... Sometimes I think they call also a few numbers up and down, thinking they end up in the same office as the villain.
Sorry for off-topic.
I prefer to have my mail address for OTPs instead of mobile number ...
charlieharper
Expert Member
Agreed. I avoid mobile numbers as OTP / 2FA where possible.
Another way to avoid identity theft, is not to use the same email address for multiple services...
A few weeks ago, I spent some time changing emails from my gmail to a custom domain, with catch-all.
So now when I register for something online it's [servicename]@example.com and then it automatically filters in my mailbox when it arrives.