SIM swap fraud is becoming a growing concern. In 2024, there was an 87% increase in identity fraud cases tied to mobile/telecommunication products, many of which involved unauthorized SIM swaps.
This vulnerability can quickly escalate because the act allows criminals to intercept calls, texts, security codes, and other sensitive information that can be easily used to carry out a theft. It’s a challenge for everyone, and as maritime travels and trades rely heavily on internet connection and communications, they are not exempt.
The aim of this article is to dissect this growing challenge while detailing how SIM fraud can be avoided through eSIMs and digital provisioning security.
SIM Swap Fraud as a Big Risk to Travelers
SIM swap fraud occurs when criminals trick a mobile network operator into transferring a victim’s phone number to a new SIM card under their control. Imagine getting an unexpected text from a friend demanding financial support, but in reality, it isn’t your friend at the end of the screen.
This is exactly what a swap fraud can look like. If successful, fraudsters gain access to sensitive information like phone numbers, bank accounts, emails, and other communication apps.
The process of carrying out this hack is quite easy, and this is what makes it more risky. Once fraudsters collect personal information of the target, like names, address, phone number, date of birth, and more, they call the service provider, posing as the account holder.
One of the major ways travelers get exposed to through vendors peddling unauthorized SIM cards to travelers at the port. If left unchecked, this could pose serious security risks. Frequent travelers, especially those buying local SIMs in multiple countries, often deal with unfamiliar or unregulated sellers.
Some of these vendors may not properly secure customer data, making it easier for criminals to copy or misuse SIM information. At the same time, handling multiple SIMs while traveling also raises the risk of losing or misplacing one. and a stolen SIM can be used to access messages, reset passwords, or authenticate logins tied to financial accounts.
How Do Traditional SIM Cards contribute to this?
The physical nature of traditional SIM cards makes them more susceptible to this crime, because losing your phone automatically gives access to your SIM card. Theft is one of the major vulnerabilities associated with these cards. For travelers, it’s likely higher since they are on the move and would likely find themselves in new territories.
Being a tourist is a factor that makes them easy prey for such attempts. For travelers visiting multiple countries in a span of a few days, the risks are even higher. This is mainly because they often find themselves in crowded transport hubs, markets, and unfamiliar environments, all common hotspots for pickpocketing and device theft.
Introducing eSIMs as a Secure Alternative
eSIMs are a new alternative to traditional connectivity. They are built directly into devices and can be activated digitally without a physical card. They are an alternative network connection model gaining popularity presently for several reasons. Some of the most basic ones are:
- Convenience and cost effectiveness
- Seamless switching without physical SIMs
- And cost savings by avoiding roaming charges
- Localized data plan options
eSIMs make it easier for users to switch mobile carriers and manage their phone numbers. For cruisers, this offers an even greater advantage, as it allows you to use one SIM across multiple travel destinations. It’s also equally cost-effective since travelers can easily download local data plans from different countries to avoid high roaming fees. Additionally, since eSIMs are embedded directly into the device, users can eliminate one of the major fraud entry points associated with traditional SIM cards.
Cruise ships can maximize the benefits of eSIMs by selling them to passengers through a ready-to-use, white-label eSIM website like Limitflex. This is an easy way to create new revenue streams and keep customers safer by avoiding the need for physical SIM cards in destinations, which can expose them to eSIM fraud.
Key Security Advantages of eSIMs for Cruises
The security reasons eSIM offers go beyond protection against physical theft, and the fact that there is no removable card to clone or steal. Let’s discuss some of them below:
- Encrypted digital provisioning: often occurs by exploiting weak identity checks during number transfers. For eSIMs, it takes some extra effort to pull this off, as there are more security checks involved. Like multi-factor authentication, device-specific checks, secure QR codes, and more. Choosing a secure eSIM cruise solution ensures that passengers stay safe regardless of the situation.
- Device Binding & Tamper Resistance. Ideally, once inserted, a stolen SIM card can work on almost any phone. On the other hand, eSIM profiles are bound to the device’s secure chip. That means even if fraudsters intercepted provisioning data, they couldn’t simply load it onto another device without the correct cryptographic keys.
- Remote management & Quick Manoeuvring: Another major advantage is that most carriers and users can revoke or deactivate eSIM profiles remotely.
Prioritizing Safety in Connectivity
Passengers’ safety on cruise lines shouldn’t end when the ship docks. When they step out in exploration, cruise lines still play an essential role in ensuring their security and well-being.
An easy way to achieve this is by partnering with our white label eSIM platforms, Limitflex, to offer connectivity to travelers. Aside from helping them stay secure, it’s also an opportunity to make passive revenue because we have exciting commission-based and profit-sharing models of up to 30% on all sales.
