In order to reduce SIM swap frauds for availing the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) facility in India, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recently announced changes in the mobile number portability rules. Under the new rules, if your SIM gets stolen or damaged and you get a new SIM, you cannot transfer its number to another company for the next 7 days.
The rules will come into effect from July 1
These new rules have come after consultation with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and discussions with various companies. Let us tell you that the new rules will come into effect from July 1.
Unique Porting Code not received
Giving the reason for changing the mobile number porting rules, TRAI said that the changed rule is to prevent attempts to port mobile numbers linked to SIM replacement by fraudulent SIM swaps or fraudsters. TRAI said that another rule has been made for security. Now telecom companies will not be able to announce the Unique Porting Code before the expiry of the 7-day deadline for changing the SIM or getting a new SIM. The first step in porting a UPC mobile number is where the customer sends a message to the existing telecom operator and receives an 8-digit code.
While TRAI did not explain how people took advantage of the old rules to commit fraud, several reports said most SIM swap frauds involved shifting mobile numbers to other companies and getting new SIMs.
Why did the rules change?
You get this facility that if you are not happy with your mobile company, then you can transfer your mobile number to another company. This is called mobile number portability. It seems that fraudsters were taking advantage of the old rules of MNP. Due to this, TRAI has recently changed the rules.