New Rules to Stop SIM Swap Fraud Starting July 1, Says TRAI

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) announced that new rules to prevent SIM swap and replacement fraud will start on July 1, 2024. These changes are part of the Telecommunication Mobile Number Portability (Ninth Amendment) Regulations, 2024.

According to TRAI, a SIM swap or replacement happens when a new SIM card is issued to replace a lost or non-working one. The Mobile Number Portability (MNP) facility allows users to keep their mobile number when switching service providers.

TRAI has amended the MNP regulations eight times since 2009 to improve the process. The latest amendment introduces a new rule that the Unique Porting Code (UPC) should not be given if the request is made within seven days of a SIM swap or replacement, reduced from the previous ten days.

TRAI explained that while some people thought a ten-day wait was fine, others felt a shorter wait of two to four days would be better. The new seven-day rule aims to balance convenience and security, making it harder for fraudsters to misuse the porting process.

These changes are designed to make the MNP process safer and more efficient, protecting users from fraudulent SIM swaps and replacements.