The one million voice, SMS and data customers on MTN South Africa's network, affected by intermittent connectivity issues recently, is not necessarily the same group of users impacted by banking fraud facilitated through unauthorised SIM swops, according to the mobile operator.

Chris Maroleng, MTN executive for group corporate affairs has given the reassurance following reports about customers losing money from their personal bank accounts this week. "The matters are separate," he said.

South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) CEO Kalyani Pillay and FNB Head of Digital Business Banking Karen Botes have both urged customers to liaise with their operator in the event of a network connection going off.

Pillay told ITWeb Africa that a mobile phone user needs to verify with their service provider that they have not been a victim of an unauthorised SIM swop if their cellphone is not working.

FNB's Botes offered the same advice when contacted about cases of MTN SIM swop fraud which has reportedly affected some FNB clients .

"We urge our customers to protect their login details at all times. If your phone loses connectivity, immediately contact your service provider to block your number and contact your bank to alert them of suspected fraud," Botes said.

But Maroleng warned that the recent network failure and incidents of fraud should not be conflated.

MTN says it is working closely with the South African Police Services (SAPS) and SABRIC to assist with investigations in order to bring perpetrators to book.

The mobile operator adds that it has already put security requirements and systems in place to improve security for SIM swops, which include zero-rated Subscriber Identity for Third Parties (SIFT). This gives banks real-time alerts on changes in SIM card number, double opt-in to activate the SIM swap and a 1-hour SMS notification to ensure that the legitimate customer has ample time to confirm the SIM swop request.

"MTN continuously reassesses the applicability of such security controls and as and when such security controls are breached, new and different controls are developed and implemented. However, as with any security and control systems, unscrupulous individuals will always explore ways of circumventing such systems. It is unfortunately a continuous process as criminal elements always find ways to improve their fraudulent methods," the company has stated.

MTN also urged customers to safeguard their Internet and telephone banking log-in details and password against social engineering (phishing) as their experience indicates that customers often have already compromised themselves by unwittingly divulging their details to third parties, either through phishing or social engineering many cases of fraudulent transactions.