SIM Swap Fraud: How to Spot It, Stop It and Get Your Money Back
Signs Your SIM Has Been Swapped
If you suspect your SIM has been swapped, these could be the signs to confirm whether it has:
Sudden loss of signal
If your device suddenly loses signal and you can’t make calls or texts, this could be a sign of SIM swap fraud.
An unrequested SIM change notification
If you receive a notification that you have requested to change your SIM, this is a major red flag of SIM swap fraud.
Password reset emails
Notifications of password resets for banking and social media that were not you, is a common warning sign of SIM swap fraud.
Alerts you did not trigger
You receive alerts that an unknown device has accessed your account.
Login requests from social media & banking apps
You receive login requests for social media and banking apps that were not from you.
What To Do Right Now If You Suspect Your SIM Has Been Swapped
If you suspect your SIM has been swapped then do not panic, follow these steps immediately to secure your SIM and your accounts:
Contact your mobile phone provider
Secure your banking from a trusted device
Secure your email
Report it to your banks
Report it to Report Fraud (Previously Action Fraud) and get a crime reference number
Preserve and gather all evidence, which can be used for a claim if necessary
What Is SIM Swap Fraud?
SIM swap fraud, also known as SIM swapping, SIM hijacking, and port-out fraud, happens when a fraudster switches your phone number to a SIM card controlled by them. The fraudster then gains control of your texts and phone calls so they can change your passwords by accessing 2FA (two-factor authentication).
How SIM Swapping Works
Data Gathering
Fraudsters steal your details through phishing, data leaks, or if you have inserted your details on a fraudulent website by mistake.
Impersonation of you to the mobile phone provider
Once the fraudster has your phone number, they will attempt to impersonate you to your mobile phone provider.
The transfer
The fraudster will claim that the phone is broken or lost and will ask to switch the number to a new SIM card.
Account takeover
Once the fraudster has your number on their SIM, they will use SMS verification to lock you out of accounts and access your banking and social media apps.
The fraudsters require your number in order to access your accounts through a one-time passcode SMS verification, and that is why SIM swap fraud is growing in record numbers, with CIFAS reporting a record increase of 402% in SIM swap fraud in the first half of 2026.
SIM Swap vs SIM Cloning
Whilst both are conducted by fraudsters, SIM swapping and SIM cloning are different in how they operate. SIM swapping uses social engineering tactics to trick your mobile phone provider into switching your number to their SIM, whereas SIM cloning is where fraudsters physically or digitally copy a SIM card's unique cryptographic data onto a new card.
Can Someone SIM Swap You Without You Knowing?
Yes, and this is why SIM swapping has become a popular scam tactic carried out by criminals. They do not need to speak or engage with you to swap your SIM; they can obtain your details without your knowledge, contact the mobile phone provider, and transfer the secure information all without you knowing.
Will Your Bank Refund SIM Swap Fraud?
If you have been the victim of SIM swap fraud and lost money through your bank, then you have a strong chance of recovering your funds through UK banking regulations, and specifically unauthorised fraud reimbursement rules.
If the fraudster has managed to gain access to your account and move money without your knowledge, then this classifies as unauthorised fraud. This is different from Authorised Push Payment Fraud (APP), where you are tricked into authorising the payment; unauthorised fraud occurs without your knowledge or approval.
Whilst it is damaging to see money taken without your knowledge, unauthorised fraud has strong protections, and your bank would usually need to refund you within the end of the next business day, unless they can show that the customer has been grossly negligent, is acting fraudulently, or authorised the payments.
The burden of proof is on the bank and not the customer to do this, but you need to cooperate fully with the bank's investigation.
Gross negligence is a high bar for the bank to prove, and it has to be really negligent, such as writing your PIN on a piece of paper and leaving it in your wallet next to your bank card.
Refundee have generally seen banks incorrectly using gross negligence as an excuse to deny refunds to victims of unauthorised fraud, and they would usually contest the loss.
If your bank rejects your claim, then this is not the end of the road. You can challenge this, and we have written an article on what to do if your bank refuses to refund stolen money.
Is Your Mobile Provider Responsible?
Yes, your mobile phone provider may be held responsible for SIM swap fraud if they have shown negligence in allowing a criminal to impersonate you and trick them into swapping the SIM.
How To Protect Yourself From SIM Swap Fraud
Never share personal information - protect yourself by never sharing bank account details or passwords
Set up a password protected pin - You can set up a unique pin identifier with your mobile phone provider so only you can access your SIM
Avoid sharing details online - Do not share your phone number, or personal details online and avoid putting details in websites you are unsure are legitimate
Set up biometrics on your banking and phone accounts - most banks offer biometric verification when you try and access your account - this adds an extra layer of security
Monitor your accounts and emails regularly - check for anything suspicious on your accounts and report it straight away if you notice anything
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
How do you know if you're a victim of SIM swapping?
The warning signs of SIM swap fraud can include; Sudden loss of signal, an unrequested SIM change notification, password reset emails and alerts you did not trigger.
Can you protect yourself from SIM swapping?
Yes, there are steps you can take to protect yourself such as; Never sharing personal information, setting up a password protected pin, avoiding sharing details online, setting up biometrics on your banking and phone accounts & monitoring your accounts and emails regularly.
Can someone do a SIM swap without you knowing?
Yes, the fraudster does not need to speak or engage with you to swap your SIM, they can obtain your details without your knowledge, speak to the mobile phone provider, and transfer the secure details all without you knowing.
Can you tell if your SIM card has been cloned?
Yes, you can tell if a SIM card has been cloned by looking for warning signs of phone behaviour, such as, sudden loss of signal, an unrequested SIM change notification, password reset emails or alerts you did not trigger.
Getting Help With a SIM Swap Fraud Claim
If you have lost money to a SIM swap fraud, then Refundee may be able to help you recover your money on a no win, no fee basis.
We have recovered over £140 million for our clients so far and we are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
You can read more about our clients’ experiences on our verified TrustPilot page.
Even if your bank has said no, we may still be able to help. Lots of our clients come to us when their bank has refused to refund them.
Check out our fair and simple fees page for more information about how we charge.
Remember, do not blame yourself. You have options to recover from this.
See if you’re eligible to recover your funds by starting your free eligibility check.
More about Refundee
Here are the technical bits:
Refundee Ltd is a claims management company authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in respect of regulated claims management activity FRN: 937096.
Registered with the Information Commissioner's Office; registration number: A8986071.
Registered office address: Refundee, 3rd Floor, 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE.
Registered as a company in England & Wales; number: 12855931.
Written by Stuart McFadden, Co-Founder at Refundee.
Stuart specialises in banking regulations and unauthorised fraud recovery, helping victims navigate claims against UK banks that have failed in their duty to protect customers. He has featured regularly in the media discussing fraud and victim rights, including the BBC and ITV.
