SIM swap API
What is SIM swap API?
A SIM swap API is a CAMARA network API that tells an application whether a phone number's SIM card has been swapped recently — a strong fraud signal, since a SIM swap is a common precursor to account-takeover attacks that intercept SMS OTP codes. A bank or platform can check this signal before sending a one-time passcode or approving a sensitive action, adding a network-verified fraud check on top of the OTP itself.
More detail
The API typically returns a simple recent-swap indicator (and often how long ago it occurred) rather than any personal subscriber detail, keeping the check privacy-preserving while still useful for fraud scoring.
A recent SIM swap doesn't automatically mean fraud — legitimate users swap SIMs when they get a new phone — so most integrations treat it as one signal to weigh alongside others, not an automatic block.
Frequently asked
- Why would a recent SIM swap matter before sending an OTP?
- A SIM swap is a common technique attackers use to intercept a victim's SMS messages, including one-time passcodes, so checking for a recent swap before sending an OTP or approving a sensitive action adds a network-verified fraud signal.
- Does a recent SIM swap mean the request should always be blocked?
- Not automatically — legitimate users swap SIMs when switching phones or carriers, so most fraud systems weigh a recent swap as one risk signal among several rather than an automatic denial.
See also
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