DESPITE losing more than R100 000 in a SIM swap scam, a Zululander has been persistently ignored by his bank and cellphone service provider in his quest to find answers.
The scam is the latest in technological fraud, occurring when a person’s SIM card is illegally swapped by a fraudster, who then gains access to the victim’s bank details.
The fraudster can then log in to the bank account, set up him or herself as a beneficiary and illegally transfer funds.
A Zululand communications company recently stated that, in order for the scam to work, there must be corrupt employees in both the victim’s bank and cellphone company.
In the case of John Thomas, MTN reportedly verbally indicated that the SIM swap occurred at a MTN branch in Alberton and that he was not notified by SMS of the SIM swap.
However, MTN would not confirm this in writing and has not completed the necessary police case forms.
Thomas said MTN can identify the telephone on which the swap occurred, but has chosen not to disclose this information.
He is currently awaiting a ruling from the Banking Ombudsman and Consumer Protection Ombudsman.
Neither Nedbank nor MTN responded to the Zululand Observer’s questions.
Meanwhile, Miriam Janse van Vuuren, who lost R21 000 after a fraudulent SIM swap, has been advised by the First National Bank (FNB) fraud department to expect a reimbursement, the amount of which has not been disclosed.
Janse van Vuuren plans to continue fighting for improved security measures by banks and service providers to give consumers peace of mind.
‘People need to know exactly how these companies plan to put a stop to this scam, otherwise they will never feel comfortable with their money in a bank’.
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