Holidaymakers have been warned that criminals have been using SIM card registration to steal passport details from travellers.
In many popular tourist destinations, a passport or national ID card is needed to buy and register a new SIM card.
Many tourists opt to buy local SIM cards from unreliable or unauthorised sellers, often because they might be cheaper.
However, this leaves them exposed to scams or privacy and financial threats.
Vykintas Maknickas, CEO of Saily, a travel eSIM company, said: ‘Registering a SIM card serves a good cause. It helps combat criminal activity, ensure national security, and prevent the misuse of mobile communications for illegal purposes.
‘Nevertheless, criminals use this obligation to collect information from travellers’ passports and to make a profit at their expense. So, never blindly trust the first SIM card seller you see outside an airport or train station.’
Registration of new SIM cards is compulsory in places such as Thailand, France, Spain, Italy, Kenya, Morocco and Australia.
Individuals travelling here should be aware that buying a physical SIM card from an unreliable seller and providing an ID document could be a risk.
Many tourists opt to buy local SIM cards from unreliable or unauthorised sellers, often because they might be cheaper
Passports and other ID documents contain highly sensitive personal information, such as your date of birth, passport, and personal identification number.
Fraudsters may use this information to get into their victim’s bank accounts, apply for credit, commit crimes under the passport owner’s name, or simply sell personal data to third parties.
This data could also be used for identity theft, phishing, or other types of scams.
Vykintas added: ‘There are sellers who offer pre-registered SIM cards. This might sound like a good and privacy-friendly option.
‘Unfortunately, sometimes these SIM cards are already tied to someone else’s identity, which is illegal, so you might be held responsible for identity theft.’
There are lots of ways you can keep yourself safe, though. You can use eSIM-based mobile internet service provider, digital versions of a SIM card.
Also, always purchase SIM cards from mobile provider stores at airports, official outlets, carriers or authorised sellers.
Ensure the SIM card is registered in your name with proper identification, and ensure you receive confirmation from the mobile provider that the registration is complete and legitimate.
Passports and other ID documents contain highly sensitive personal information, such as full name, date of birth, nationality, passport, and personal identification number
It’s also worth monitoring your bank account and phone bills after buying, to check for any strange activity.
Reports of unauthorised SIM swaps – where criminals hijack a victim’s mobile number – have been on the increase lately.
Cifas, a fraud prevention service, saw cases surge by 1,055 per cent in 2024.
Phone and passport safety are recurring issues, with travellers warned to be careful sharing personal details online.
Earlier this year, five of the sneakiest scam texts that fraudsters are plaguing phones with were revealed.
This is Money shared the most pernicious scam text fraudsters are using to reel in their victims and how you can protect yourself.
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