Phone Cloning: How Hackers Copy Your Phone and How You Can Protect Yourself

Cell phone cloning was first recorded in the 1990s when analog phone networks were common. During this period, malicious actors exploited vulnerabilities in the analog system to clone phones and access services while avoiding any charges. However, with technological advancements, phone cloning techniques have also adapted and become more sinister. Fraudsters now exploit vulnerabilities in mobile device software and security systems, enabling them to clone a phone remotely without needing physical access.

The consequences of phone cloning now extend beyond privacy invasion. Scammers now use cloned phones to perpetrate illegal activities, such as sending scam messages or making fraudulent calls to trick people into parting with their funds or sensitive information.

Given our increasing reliance on smartphones, a substantial amount of personal and private information is stored on these devices. This includes not only pictures and messages but also important banking and financial information. If these data are stolen or used inappropriately, victims of phone cloning may lose lifetime savings or end up facing the penalties of the actions of fraudsters who steal their identities. Therefore, it is essential to keep our devices safe and secure to protect our sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands.

What Is Phone Cloning?

Phone cloning refers to a technique often used by malicious actors to create an exact copy of the identity of a mobile device in order to intercept the messages, calls, and personal data on the original phone.

How Phone Cloning Works

Scammers may clone a phone by intercepting the mobile phone's signals or SIM cloning aimed at duplicating the identity of the mobile phone. Radio frequency interception may be used to extract a phone's unique identifiers, such as the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) and IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity). To achieve this, a scammer may deploy a fake mobile tower known as an IMSI catcher. The tower tricks nearby phones into connecting to it instead of a legitimate carrier tower. Once a phone connects to the IMSI catcher, the fraudster captures its IMSI and IMEI and then programs another device with the stolen IMSI and IMEI, making the cloned phone appear as the original. Once the cloned phone becomes active, the attacker can listen to calls, read text messages, and bypass two-factor authentication codes.

Alternatively, if the fraudster opts to use the SIM cloning method, the scammer duplicates the data stored on the SIM card, allowing them to use the original mobile number on a different device. SIM data may be stolen physically by accessing the SIM card or via malware used to extract data remotely. After, a SIM card reader may be used to extract authentication keys from the original SIM. The extracted information is then written onto a blank programmable SIM card. Upon inserting the cloned SIM into another phone, the scammer can make calls, receive SMS, and access accounts linked to the phone number.

Types of Phone Cloning

The following are the common types of phone cloning:

• SIM Card Cloning: This involves duplicating the critical authentication data stored (such as the SIM's authentication key) on a SIM card onto another SIM. If the process is successful, the cloned SIM may impersonate the original, allowing texts, calls, and data use under the victim's number
• Device Cloning: This process involves copying a phone's IMEI and IMSI onto another device. Fraudsters use this method to make calls and send messages that appear to come from the victim's number.

Why Phone Cloning Is Dangerous

Phone cloning poses serious risks to individuals as it may lead to financial fraud, privacy breaches, and identity theft. Upon duplicating a phone's identity, a fraudster may gain access to sensitive information without the victim's knowledge. This puts the victim at serious security risk as the scammer can intercept messages, monitor calls, and access personal accounts on the original phone.

Some specific ways in which phone cloning is dangerous to individuals and businesses include the following:

Unauthorized Access to Your Personal Information

Phone cloning grants unauthorized access to the victim's personal data as it gives a scammer full visibility into the victim's call history and text messages. Consequently, they can listen in on private conversations, steal confidential information, and send messages impersonating the victim. Also, the fraudster can view and extract contact lists, making it easier to launch targeted phishing scams. In addition, they may access stored files, including personal documents, videos, and photos, which may be misused for blackmail or identity fraud. Scammers may reset passwords for email and social media accounts and take control of these accounts in the process.

Fraudulent Activity and Identity Theft

Phone cloning may also be used by scammers for fraudulent activity and identity theft. Since many online services rely on phone numbers for authentication, scammers can intercept one-time passwords and access digital wallets and payment apps like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay to authorize transactions and make transfers or purchases. Using a cloned phone, an attacker can also pose as the victim in phone calls or text messages, convincing people such as business associates, friends, and family members to share sensitive data or send money.

Increased Vulnerability to Malware

Another downside to having one's phone cloned is that the device becomes more vulnerable to spyware, malware, and cyber threats. Often, the methods used in cloning phones involve hacking techniques, making mobile devices susceptible to data tracking, unwanted surveillance, and keystroke logging by spyware. Once malware becomes present on a device, attackers can maintain long-term access to the digital life of the victim even if the SIM card on the phone is replaced or the device reset. A cloned device infected by malware or spyware may also compromise other devices that connect to it via USB, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi.

How To Recognize If Your Phone Has Been Cloned

If your mobile phone has been cloned, you can expect to experience some or all of the following effects.

Unexpectedly High Phone Bills

A high phone bill is one the first signs you would notice if your phone has been cloned. Fraudsters who clone phones often make unauthorized calls, often to international numbers, which can quickly pile up to high phone costs. If you also notice spikes in data usage, it may also indicate that your phone has been cloned. This is because scammers usually use cloned phones to download large data files without the knowledge of the victims.

Unusual Call or Text Activity

Another indicator of a cloned phone is the presence of unfamiliar calls or messages in your call logs or message history. If you find calls or texts that you did not make or send on your phone, chances are that the phone has been cloned. It is also possible that you miss calls or messages that you should have received, as they may have been intercepted by a cloned phone.

Poor Call Quality or Dropped Calls

Phone cloning may also lead to poor call quality or dropped calls due to network interference arising from the duplication. Cloned devices often use the same network resources, which causes congestion and deterioration of the performance of the victim's phone. If the network becomes overloaded with the activity of the cloned phone, it may impact the call quality of the victim.

Battery Draining Faster Than Usual

Cloned phones typically run several unauthorized background processes, causing it to heat up and experience faster battery drains. Some of the background processes often involve duplicate network and data transmission connections. If you notice a sudden and unexplained decrease in battery life, your device may have been cloned.

How To Prevent Phone Cloning

The following are effective measures you may take to protect your mobile device from being cloned.

Use Strong Authentication Methods

One of the most effective ways to prevent your phone from being cloned is by using strong authentication by enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) for your online account. Two-factor authentication puts an additional layer of security on your account by requiring a second form of verification in addition to your password. Additionally, use strong, unique passwords for your accounts to make it harder for fraudsters to gain access. Also, consider imbibing a practice of regularly updating your passwords and avoid using easily guessable password characters.

Be Careful with Public Wi-Fi

Although public Wi-Fi networks offer free access to the internet, they are usually not as secure as private networks and may expose your phone to hacking and cloning attempts. Fraudsters can intercept your mobile signals and capture your phone's unique identifiers when you connect to public Wi-Fi. To protect your device from cloning, do not connect to public Wi-Fi networks when you intend to carry out online activities such as online banking or accessing personal accounts. To mitigate the negative effects of using public Wi-Fi networks, you may consider connecting to a trusted VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt transmitted data and improve security.

Regularly Monitor Your Phone Bills

Since a high phone bill is one of the most common indicators of a cloned phone, you should keep an eye on your phone bills to detect potential cloning attempts early. Check your bills regularly for any unusual charges or spikes in usage that you did not authorize. If you notice any discrepancies, report them to your mobile service provider immediately.

Keep Your SIM Card Secure

SIM cards typically come with a PIN lock option that users may use to protect them from being cloned. Hence, to protect your SIM card, use the PIN lock feature to prevent unauthorized access. In addition, avoid sharing your SIM card with others, and be cautious if you receive requests to hand over your SIM card temporarily. If your SIM card has been compromised, you should contact your mobile service provider to get a replacement.

Install Anti-Malware Software

Installing security software such as anti-malware on your mobile phone can help detect and prevent potential malware or cloning attempts. Anti-malware software has a scan feature that you may use to block malicious apps and provide real-time protection against threats.

What To Do If Your Phone Has Been Cloned

If you suspect that your phone has been cloned, you do not have to panic. Rather, you should consider taking the following steps immediately.

Contact Your Mobile Carrier

The first step to take once you notice or suspect that your phone has been cloned is to contact your mobile carrier and report the issue. In your report, provide any evidence of unusual activity, such as unexpected charges or unfamiliar calls and texts. Your carrier can assist in stopping fraudulent activity by blocking the cloned device and securing your account. In addition, they may offer to change your phone number or provide additional security measures to prevent future cloning attempts.

Change All Account Passwords

If you suspect that a cloning attempt on your phone may have been successful, you must change the passwords for all your important accounts, including banking, email, and social media. Ensure that you use strong, unique passwords for each account and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) where possible.

Enable a SIM Card Lock or Request a New SIM

Another way to protect yourself from the consequences of a cloned phone is to lock your SIM card with a PIN to prevent unauthorized access. Alternatively, you may request a new SIM card from your mobile carrier. That way, the old, cloned SIM card can no longer be used to access your mobile network.

Report Identity Theft and Fraud

If you experience any fraudulent activity or identity theft after suspecting that your phone has been cloned, you should report it at once to the relevant authorities and credit agencies. This may include filing a report with your local police department and contacting credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit report. Taking this step can help prevent further fraudulent activities and protect your identity from being stolen.