Vodacom SIM swap airtime theft

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sii

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During the last two weeks both my parents had fraudulent SIM swaps done on their prepaid Vodacom numbers.

In both cases we got the numbers back ASAP, but all the airtime had been stolen.

Clearly criminals are now settling for easier targets (airtime) instead of online banking OTPs etc.

Has anyone else experienced this?
 
sii said:
During the last two weeks both my parents had fraudulent SIM swaps done on their prepaid Vodacom numbers.

In both cases we got the numbers back ASAP, but all the airtime had been stolen.

Clearly criminals are now settling for easier targets (airtime) instead of online banking OTPs etc.

Has anyone else experienced this?
Click to expand...

Sim swop security questions are a joke. I helped my mom get a new replacement sim card when her phone got stolen and they asked her one question, is your phone you used on with the sim card an android device or an iphone? I mean, if you were someone doing a dodgy sim swap you would literally have an 83% chance of guessing the right answer.
 
sii said:
During the last two weeks both my parents had fraudulent SIM swaps done on their prepaid Vodacom numbers.

In both cases we got the numbers back ASAP, but all the airtime had been stolen.

Clearly criminals are now settling for easier targets (airtime) instead of online banking OTPs etc.

Has anyone else experienced this?
Click to expand...

How much airtime do they generally have loaded that it's even worth the effort? I have to top-up with R100 like once a year, and that is mostly spent phoning SANRAL to report highway issues.
 
I keep R0 airtime and only use data. Calls are made using WhatsApp or a VOIP service. 200mb a month keeps me going
 
@sii @deweyzeph - Often wonder why customers do not activate the "Sim Swop Block" service which does not support telephone or online SIM swops.

Sim swops will only be processed at a authorised Vodacom dealer in person after proper ID etc.
 
VC-1 said:
@sii @deweyzeph - Often wonder why customers do not activate the "Sim Swop Block" service which does not support telephone or online SIM swops.

Sim swops will only be processed at a authorised Vodacom dealer in person after proper ID etc.
Click to expand...
How does one do that?
 
VC-1 said:
@sii @deweyzeph - Often wonder why customers do not activate the "Sim Swop Block" service which does not support telephone or online SIM swops.

Sim swops will only be processed at a authorised Vodacom dealer in person after proper ID etc.
Click to expand...

How is this done?
Does it apply to all networks?
 
VC-1 said:
@sii @deweyzeph - Often wonder why customers do not activate the "Sim Swop Block" service which does not support telephone or online SIM swops.

Sim swops will only be processed at a authorised Vodacom dealer in person after proper ID etc.
Click to expand...

It's impossible for a Vodacom or MTN shop to verify an in-person SIM swap with just your ID. There is no link between the sim card and your ID number outside of the RICA database, and normal shop employees are not able to lookup data in the RICA database, they can only add data to it. Only law enforcement officials have access to the RICA database.
 
This applies to Vodacom as far as it known.
The how to:
1) Apply for in authorised store.
2) Request customercare to amend the profile of the Sim.
3) There might be a USSD for this or your VodaPay might offer this.

We had our SIM changed by email to the ceo.

NB: Contract SIM's are blocked by default. Prepaid need to be applied for.
 
Last edited:
deweyzeph said:
It's impossible for a Vodacom or MTN shop to verify an in-person SIM swap with just your ID. There is no link between the sim card and your ID number outside of the RICA database, and normal shop employees are not able to lookup data in the RICA database, they can only add data to it. Only law enforcement officials have access to the RICA database.
Click to expand...
Absolutely not true in the case of Vodacom. They are able to verify that, I have had them even print me a printout with my details, including the ID number.
 
deweyzeph said:
It's impossible for a Vodacom or MTN shop to verify an in-person SIM swap with just your ID. There is no link between the sim card and your ID number outside of the RICA database, and normal shop employees are not able to lookup data in the RICA database, they can only add data to it. Only law enforcement officials have access to the RICA database.
Click to expand...

But one can put your prepaid on your Vodacom online profile and under Profile > My Details enter you ID number and such.
 
deweyzeph said:
Sim swop security questions are a joke. I helped my mom get a new replacement sim card when her phone got stolen and they asked her one question, is your phone you used on with the sim card an android device or an iphone? I mean, if you were someone doing a dodgy sim swap you would literally have an 83% chance of guessing the right answer.
Click to expand...
Of true that is a serious breach. Because we cannot see your ID number or name and surname on prepaid numbers, the procedure is to ask a variety of numbers.

1. Phone Make and model when lost/stolen.

2. Original PUK and PIN that was on the sim (keep the card you get with starter pack if you can.

3. Last 5 numbers dialed (Whatsapp and similar calls don't count. Must be normal calls

4. Last recharge date and the amount recharged with.
 
Really hope someone smart can help with SIM swap problem - sim card lost overboard at sea so properly gone.

Problem is shop asking for 5 numbers dialed - it only ever called whatsapp. Customer care cant help as it shows some error on the system and wont let them proceed. I also dont have the PUK and Pin (sim is years old).

Now as I am the person who rica'd the number this is crazy as Vodacom telling me they cant help me so I stand to loose all my backed up WhatsApp messages and pics. Been to the Vodacom shop twice and spent ages on the call center - no joy.

Thinking of writing a letter to CEO or something - anyone have an address or suggestions. I get that it should be hard to get your number swapped - but never impossible for a legit customer .... Anyway let this be a warning to all Gen Z users who never make calls - keep a copy of your PUK and original PIN of SIM else you stand to loose it all.
 
Maybe @Ockie can give some insight


tigertim said:
Really hope someone smart can help with SIM swap problem - sim card lost overboard at sea so properly gone.

Problem is shop asking for 5 numbers dialed - it only ever called whatsapp. Customer care cant help as it shows some error on the system and wont let them proceed. I also dont have the PUK and Pin (sim is years old).

Now as I am the person who rica'd the number this is crazy as Vodacom telling me they cant help me so I stand to loose all my backed up WhatsApp messages and pics. Been to the Vodacom shop twice and spent ages on the call center - no joy.

Thinking of writing a letter to CEO or something - anyone have an address or suggestions. I get that it should be hard to get your number swapped - but never impossible for a legit customer .... Anyway let this be a warning to all Gen Z users who never make calls - keep a copy of your PUK and original PIN of SIM else you stand to loose it all.
Click to expand...
 
can't imagine why it is so difficult.....
Surely sims get lost or destroyed every day (fire, stolen etc)
 
Bundu said:
can't imagine why it is so difficult.....
Surely sims get lost or destroyed every day (fire, stolen etc)
Click to expand...

Prepaid sim card holders are at a disadvantage because the RICA database cannot be used to verify ownership of a SIM card by non-law enforcement officials. Vodacom cannot verify that you are the owner of a prepaid SIM card just from your ID number.
 
All good that it cant be easy - but I can provide a host of other info like date last few top up amounts, numbers that called this sim and the dates, but shop cant use this, they want 5 numbers called from the sim card - there were none - must be a way to escalate this somehow, I just dont know where to go
 
tigertim said:
All good that it cant be easy - but I can provide a host of other info like date last few top up amounts, numbers that called this sim and the dates, but shop cant use this, they want 5 numbers called from the sim card - there were none - must be a way to escalate this somehow, I just dont know where to go
Click to expand...
Just port the number to MTN.
 
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