In an attempt to lessen SIM swap fraud in India, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India recently announced changes to its mobile number portability (MNP) regulations. The new regulations prohibit users from porting to a new SIM card within the next seven days if they had to buy a new SIM card due to theft or damage.
According to TRAI, recommendations from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and discussions with different stakeholders led to the creation of the new regulations. Additionally, the telecom regulator notes that the new regulations will take effect on July 1st.
Explaining the idea behind the modifications to the portability rules, TRAI said, “These amendment regulations are aimed at curbing the practice of porting of mobile numbers by way of fraudulent SIM swap or replacement by unscrupulous elements.”
TRAI also adds any additional criteria of security by forbidding the telecom operators from issuing rs from issuing a “unique porting code” (UPC) before the expiration of seven days of SIM swap for replacement. UPC is the first step in the mobile number portability process where users send a message to their current telecom operator and get a 8 digit code.
Numerous reports state that the majority of SIM swapping frauds happen during mobile number portability and new SIM procedures, despite the fact that TRAI did not investigate the specifics of how the fraudsters were manipulating the current system.
If a user is dissatisfied with their current telecom provider, they can use the Mobile Number Portability feature to transfer to a new provider, regardless of where they currently reside. But it appears that con artists were taking advantage of the existing MNP guidelines, which is what led TRAI to make the latest adjustments.
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