What is SIM Swapping? And how to detect it before sending an SMS OTP?

SIM swapping is a cybercrime technique where attackers hijack a victim's phone number by exploiting carrier authentication weaknesses, enabling them to intercept security codes and gain unauthorized access to personal accounts. This method, known as a port-out scam or SIM jacking, is increasingly used by cybercriminals to bypass SMS-based security measures, leading to financial fraud and account takeovers. Businesses relying solely on SMS-based authentication are particularly vulnerable, as attackers can infiltrate internal systems, compromise customer data, and cause financial and reputational harm. To mitigate this threat, real-time SIM swap detection tools, such as the Prelude Watch API, are recommended to proactively identify and block fraudulent attempts, ensuring stronger security and protecting both user accounts and company assets.