When we switch our SIM cards, it’s common to disregard the old one, leaving it in a drawer or even discarding it, assuming it holds no value to us. While it may seem obsolete, disposing of or neglecting the SIM card without proper precautions is not the best course of action. Unbeknownst to many, there are potential risks that can arise, putting you in significant danger.
Even if you haven’t considered it, whether due to its disuse or a switch in service providers, your old SIM card still retains certain data. Among the stored data on your previous card, there are pieces of information that can potentially expose you to various risks, including the possibility of data theft. In order to shed light on the matter, we will outline the specific data that can be stored on a SIM card and the implications they carry.
The most dangerous thing: your money
Among the various types of data that your old SIM card is capable of storing, one of the most crucial is your bank account information. Yes, you read that correctly – your bank account. It’s worth noting that this data may potentially reside within the SIM card’s memory, considering the extensive range of information that operators can associate with it.
However, it’s important to clarify that not all SIM cards necessarily contain your bank account details. This depends on the specific type of SIM card and how your operator manages it. Nevertheless, in the unfortunate event that your bank account information is stored on the SIM card, and if someone were to gain access to and possess the knowledge to read its contents, your financial security could be jeopardized. To safeguard yourself from potential data theft, it is advisable to keep your SIM card secure and in your possession.
Other data stored by this SIM card
If you value your privacy and are concerned about the security of your personal information, what you’re about to learn may make you uneasy. Beyond the obvious bank account details, mobile phone number, and name stored on the SIM card, there are additional data that could be at risk.
Among these data are details such as your contracted operator, IMEI code, country code, and location information associated with the card. All of this information must fit within the 512 KB storage capacity of the SIM card. It’s important to be aware that the theft of SIM card information, known as SIM-Swapping or SIM-Hacking, is a real threat, and it’s possible for all this data to fall into the wrong hands.
Considering the extent of data that your SIM card can retain, it’s advisable to think twice before discarding it and instead keep it in a secure place where you have control over it. If you have set a PIN number for your SIM card, it provides an added layer of protection and can offer some peace of mind. In the event that you misplace the SIM card, it would be challenging for unauthorized individuals to access the information. Conversely, relying solely on a pattern lock or similar security measure when turning off or restarting your phone poses significant risks to your data security.
