Civil Guard Alerts to SIM Swapping Bank Fraud

The Civil Guard is warning about a clever digital scam called "SIM swapping." This trick lets criminals pretend to be you and get into your bank accounts. It uses a weakness in mobile phone networks and is a new, more advanced type of phone fraud. The scam has worried people, particularly in the Canary Islands and across Spain.

Here's how the scam works: It starts with fake calls or text messages where scammers pretend to be official organizations. They trick victims into giving away important personal and bank details. Once they have this information, the criminals ask for a new SIM card for the victim's phone number.

When this new SIM card is activated, the victim's original phone suddenly loses signal, and the criminals take over their phone line. This lets them get the special codes banks send by text message to approve payments. They can then make unauthorized payments and empty bank accounts.

Because these scams are getting more complex, the Civil Guard has shared important advice for everyone. They especially recommend using strong security systems for your banking. They suggest setting up other ways to verify your identity instead of just text messages, like using your fingerprint or an electronic signature. These add an extra layer of security and make it much harder for criminals to get in.

If you fall victim to this scam, acting quickly is vital. The Civil Guard urges victims to immediately check their bank statements and contact their bank right away to block any access and report what happened. It's also important to report the incident to the police. This helps with investigations and raises awareness about these criminal activities.