SIM: When many people buy a new SIM, change the SIM or shift to an eSIM, they feel that the biggest problem is the network or activation time. But the real problem is often the temporary ban on some services. This ban is usually imposed for 24 hours and its purpose is to prevent online fraud.
Under the telecom rules in India, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India i.e. TRAI has implemented some security rules. According to these rules, after SIM replacement or eSIM transfer, some services are stopped for a short time so that no one can misuse your number.
SMS banned for 24 hours after changing SIM
When a user inserts a new SIM, replaces the SIM or transfers to an eSIM, the telecom companies stop SMS services for about 24 hours. During this period neither SMS can be sent nor received.
This has a direct impact on messages related to banks and digital payments. For example, notifications related to OTP or payment coming from the bank are not received for some time. Since most banking systems depend on SMS based verification, many services do not work temporarily during this period. After completion of 24 hours SMS service automatically becomes normal.
There may be difficulty in logging into UPI apps.
Unified Payments Interface or UPI apps used for digital payments also depend on SMS verification. Therefore, it may be difficult to use these apps immediately after changing the SIM.
For example, apps like Google Pay, PhonePe and Paytm send SMS to verify the identity of the device. If SMS service is stopped then the app cannot be logged in or activated.
When the 24-hour ban ends, the user has to open the app again and complete the verification process. After this UPI services start working normally again.
Impact on bank transactions and OTP
After changing SIM, banking services may also be affected for some time. During this time, OTP required for card payment, fund transfer or internet banking login is not received. Also, SMS alerts related to deposit or withdrawal in the bank account may also be stopped temporarily. However, some banks also provide e-mail OTP or other security options which can work during this time.
What to do if you have changed your mobile number?
If you have not only changed the SIM but also changed the mobile number, then some additional steps have to be taken to restart the bank and UPI services. First of all, you have to update your new mobile number by visiting your bank or through the official process. After this, the UPI ID has to be re-registered with the new number because the UPI ID linked to the old number stops working.
How does this rule protect against fraud?
The main reason for stopping SMS service for some time after changing SIM is to prevent SIM Swap Fraud. Many times fraudsters get a duplicate SIM of a person’s number and then try to access bank accounts through OTP.
This 24-hour ban acts as an additional layer of security in such cases. Due to this, fraudsters are not able to receive OTP immediately and the real user also gets time to immediately inform the telecom company or bank if any suspicious activity has happened with his number.
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