O! warns: “Your SIM card has expired” means it’s a scam!

Kyrgyzstan is experiencing another surge in phone scams using a simple yet still highly effective fraud scheme. Scammers call subscribers, introduce themselves as employees of a mobile operator, and claim that "your SIM card is about to expire."

O! Mobile Operator officially states: SIM cards do not have an expiration date. Your SIM card remains valid indefinitely as long as you continue using it. It cannot and does not need to be "renewed" over the phone.

Attention: scammers are after your money! After alarming you with claims that your phone number will be blocked, fraudsters may say that, in order to "update your service agreement," you need to verify, update, or confirm your banking information. Their only goal is to trick you into revealing an SMS verification code, password, or bank card details so they can gain access to your mobile banking account and steal your money.

Safety rules that can protect your savings:

• NEVER share SMS verification codes, passwords, or bank card details with ANYONE. Legitimate employees of a bank or a mobile operator will never ask for this information over the phone.

• Never verify personal or banking information during a phone call. Any update of your personal or banking details should only be carried out through the official My O! app or by visiting any O!Store or O!Bank branch in person with your passport.

If you receive such a call and the caller pressures you, threatens to disconnect your service, or claims you are about to lose your money, simply hang up.

O! Mobile Operator works closely with the law enforcement agencies of the Kyrgyz Republic to implement a comprehensive set of ongoing preventive measures. These include regularly publishing fraud awareness materials in the media and on social media with the participation of well-known bloggers, as well as sending targeted SMS alerts to subscribers. Despite these continuous efforts to improve digital literacy among the public, many people unfortunately continue to disregard basic security precautions under psychological pressure from fraudsters and fall victim to their schemes.

Stay alert and don't let scammers deceive you!

NUR Telecom LLC. KR SCITC SCA Licenses No. 16-0062-КР, No. 16-0063-КР dd. 06.12.2016.