SELF SERVICE: Don’t Change Your Number Because You Lost It

Losing your number can be catastrophic, but doesn’t have to be, not with this simple solution

In the old days, losing your phone, whether through theft or negligence, was a big problem. This required you to change your number, which in turn leads to you needing to notify everyone who had your previous number about the change.

But SIM swap changed that, allowing people to reclaim their old number. The process for doing a sim swap involves purchasing a new SIM card and providing at least one regular number you have called.

Now There Is A Simpler Way To Do A Sim Swap

Vodacom has made it even easier to reclaim your old number by offering a USSD service. Simply purchase a new SIM card, RICA it, and insert it into your phone. Dial *136# from the number, choose the option to use your old number, and follow the prompts to complete the SIM swap. The process may take anywhere from two to 24 hours before your new SIM card is activated. On the plus side, you'll regain access to all your bundles, airtime, and services.

Beware Of Fraud

While it's now easy to perform a SIM swap, it has also become effortless for fraudsters to obtain your information and carry out unauthorized swaps, effectively stealing your number. Although this may seem like a minor issue, criminals can engage in various illegal activities in your name, leaving you to deal with the police and prove your innocence. However, you don't have to be a victim; you can take steps to prevent sim swap fraud. You may also be upgrading from a feature phone to a smartphone and need to change your SIM to a nano SIM card, which, in turn, will also require a SIM swap. If you're thinking about upgrading your device, be sure to check out the latest smartphone deals on the Vodacom shop.