Cellphone cloning isn’t as prevalent as it once was, but it still happens. To prevent wireless interception of your information, turn off Bluetooth and WiFi when you’re not using them.ĭon’t install suspicious apps that you aren’t 100% certain aren’t Cloneware. You should definitely secure your phone using a PIN number or a biometric (fingerprint) password so that if you lose your phone, someone else can’t get access to it. Instead, they have to physically get their hands on the device so that they can pull the identifiers off the hardware or download a cloning application. Because of the enhanced security in the phone networks, it’s very difficult, bordering on impossible, for someone to effectively clone your phone just because you walk past their scanner. The most effective step you can take to prevent your phone from being cloned is not to let it out of your sight or let it fall into the possession of another person.

Although carriers do not track your phone or your activity, they can provide you with a new SIM card or direct you to an updated list of your call and text activity. Talk to your carrier if you have suspicions. This will alert you that there’s suspicious activity such as phone numbers dialed that you’re certain didn’t come from your phone. You can check your call and text log online with most carriers. However, this will only work if the location is enabled on the phone. These are not exact, but they should at least offer a clue if your phone has been cloned by someone in a different country. If you use iPhone, Find My iPhone to do the same. If you use Android, use Google Find my Phone to check your phone’s location. If you do suspect foul play there are a couple of other things you can check.

Your phone suddenly stops making phone calls or connecting to the cellular network – this happens when someone duplicates a SIM card and puts it in a different phone.

More and/or unusual call activity on your bill.

Disappearing voicemails or difficulty accessing your voicemail.

More wrong numbers or abandoned incoming calls than usual.

A sudden increase in calls or SMS messages from unknown or unfamiliar numbers.A call from your carrier asking if you have traveled.However, there are a few telltale signs that may indicate your phone has been cloned, including:

Bluetooth phone cloning app