SIM lock: How to prevent hackers from using USSD to steal your money

Fraudsters are continuously on the prowl to hoodwink and scam Nigerians of their hard-earned money. They creatively look for criminal ways to hack into electronic devices to steal funds from unsuspecting citizens.

Recently, precisely on the March 24, 2023, the Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, took to his verified Twitter handle to admonish Nigerians on ways they could protect their accounts from scammers, who have now devised the use of USSD to steal.

He revealed that the command arrested a syndicate, who specialised in picking phones and using the SIM cards to perpetrate their evil agenda.

“Do you have SIM lock? @LagosPoliceNG recently arrested a syndicate. They pick phones, take out the SIM cards and discard the phones. Using the SIM cards on another phone, they use bank USSD to buy airtime for ‘Self’ as this usually does not require PIN.

“Your bank debit alert follows and then they proceed to empty your account one way or the other. The only SIM cards the syndicate never succeeded with were ones with SIM lock. Activate your SIM lock today!” he warned.

Do you have SIM lock? @LagosPoliceNG recently arrested a syndicate. They pick phones, take out the SIM cards and discard the phones. Using the SIM cards on another phone, they use bank USSD to buy airtime for ‘Self’ as this usually does not require PIN. 1/2

— SP Benjamin Hundeyin (@BenHundeyin) March 24, 2023

What is SIM lock?

A SIM lock is a function built into many mobile telephones that allows phone service providers to lock a phone so it can only be used under certain circumstances. These circumstances are typically involved with retaining phone service, such as only allowing the phone to work in certain countries or on networks provided by a specific company. This locking function is connected to the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) provided with the phone and ensures that the phone can only be used in a way the service provider wishes. A SIM lock can be unlocked by the company that provides the phone service or by using a number of different third-party applications.

When you lock your SIM card, any time your phone is restarted or your SIM card is put into another phone, a PIN is required before the card can access any network services, whether it is voice call, SMS, or Internet data.

How to lock your SIM card

• On your phone, go to Settings
• Tap on Security
• Tap Set up SIM card lock or Lock SIM card
• Enter the default SIM PIN
• Enter your new PIN
• Confirm your new PIN
• Tap Okay

Default pin by networks

• MTN: 00000
• Airtel: 1111
• Glo: 0000
• 9mobile: 0000

Rtn. Victor Ojelabi

Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.