Hack of the Day’ is a new weekday series from ‘The Times of India’: The wider industry impact

‘Hack of the Day’ is a new weekday series from ‘The Times of India’ that provides quick, practical solutions to common problems. Each hack aims to help users save time, money, or reduce stress by utilizing accessible tools and features. These solutions range from government websites to everyday applications, offering straightforward fixes for more efficient living.

All they need is your mobile number, a few personal details sourced from a data breach or social media, and a convincing story told to a telecom customer service representative. There is a particular kind of financial crime that requires no hacking skills, no malware, and no access to your phone. The attacker never needs to touch your device. Within hours, your number is transferred to a SIM card they control, and every OTP your bank sends goes straight to them. The moment this happens, call your telecom operator immediately from a different phone, whether a family member’s device, a landline, or a colleague’s phone. Report that you may be a victim of unauthorised porting and ask them to freeze your number. Simultaneously, call your bank’s helpline and ask them to temporarily block OTP-based transactions on your account. Acting within the first hour dramatically increases the chances of preventing financial loss. In India the TRAI regulations need the telecom operators to send a notification before a number is ported out. In case you receive an unsolicited porting messaging or a verification code you never requested, treat it is as an emergency. So, it’s important that you don’t ignore it or assume it is spam. Call your operator immediately and then reject the porting request.