In the modern society where our phones hold almost everything about ourselves, phone cloning is one of the most dangerous processes that could happen. Fortunately, if you have ever wondered how to know if your phone is cloned, there are signs to know. In this article, we will have an in-depth discussion on everything you should know about phone cloning. And most importantly, how to prevent yourself from being phone-cloned. Let’s dive in.
In This Article
Part 1. What Is Phone Cloning?
Before we dive deeper into phone cloning details, let’s firstly know the concept a little better. So what exactly is phone cloning?
Phone cloning is a term used to describe a process where a hacker copies the identity of a cell phone into another cell phone. By cloning your phone, the hackers can intercept calls and messages, among other services, and commit fraudulent activities or even more serious criminal activities.
Part 2. Signs that Your Phone May Have Been Cloned
Since it’s dangerous to be phone-cloned, is there any ways for us to spot the phone clone trace and protect our privacy in time?
We have put together 9 signs of a cloned phone. Check these out and you may be able to identify whether your phone is cloned or not before it’s too late.
Unusual battery drains or overheating
If you notice that your phone's battery is draining unusually fast or your phone is overheating, it could be a sign that your phone has been cloned. The reason behind this is that a cloned phone continuously sends and receives data to and from the cloned device, which puts a significant strain on the battery and causes overheating.
Your account is locked and unable to log in
Another sign that your phone may have been cloned is when you're unable to log in to your account. Cybercriminals will change your account login information to lock you out of your own account. If you're having difficulty logging in or receiving error messages when attempting to do so, it's essential to investigate the cause and determine if your phone has been cloned.
Influx of wrong-number calls
If you've noticed an increase in the number of wrong-number calls, be vigilant because that could be a sign of a cloned phone. When someone clones your phone, they can use it to make calls and send texts. So you may receive wrong-number calls from people who are attempting to contact the clone device.
Unexpected or unauthorized apps installed
Hackers who clone your phone will install additional apps to monitor your activity or steal personal information from you. So it’s necessary to check your phone's app list regularly. Remember to remove any apps that you don't recognize immediately.
Receive strange phone calls or texts
If you've received calls or texts from unknown numbers or messages that you didn't send, it might be a sign that your phone may have been cloned.
Unusually high phone bill charges
If you notice an unusually high phone bill, it's worth checking if your phone has been cloned. Cybercriminals who clone your phone can use it to make expensive international calls or send messages that can increase your phone bill.
Poor or slow performance
A sudden decline in your phone's performance or slow response times could be a sign that your phone has been cloned. Cybercriminals will use your phone's resources to run their programs, which can slow down your phone's performance.
Received messages stating SIM updated
Hackers who clone your phone will update the SIM card to gain access to your phone's services, which could result in receiving messages stating that your SIM has been updated. If you receive such messages, it's worth to worry that your phone might be cloned.
Your phone is in the incorrect location
Once your phone gets cloned, hackers may use your cloned phone to make calls or send texts from a different location, which can cause your phone to appear in the wrong location on tracking apps or services. If you notice that your phone is showing up in the wrong location, it could be a sign that your phone has been cloned.
Part 3. How to Check if My Phone Is Cloned?
Relying on the signs is a passive way to know whether your phone gets cloned or not. If you are truly worry about your phone getting cloned, it’s more recommended that you use a professional tool to make sure the security of your phone, or contact your mobile service provider for assistance.
1Use a Professional Tool - Clevguard Anti Spyware
If you opt to use a professional tool to check whether your phone is cloned of not, then the most recommended tool would be ClevGuard Anti Spyware.
ClevGuard Anti Spyware is an app that helps protect your phone from malware and spyware. It is available from Android 6.0 to Android 13. If you want to check whether your phone is cloned or not, ClevGuard Anti Spyware is a good choice. It offers real-time detection of spyware, hidden app detection, protection against camera use, and email leak checking. The app also promises to protect user data and privacy with high-security standards. So there is no worry about leaking your data to anyone else while using this app.
Highlights of ClevGuard Anti-Spyware
- Real-time detection and removal of spyware and trackers.
- Protection against unauthorized camera and microphone use.
- Instant detection and removal of hidden or suspicious apps.
- Email leak checking to protect your online information from prying eyes.
- Easy to use with a user-friendly interface and a simple three-step process.
To use ClevGuard Anti-Spyware and check if your phone is cloned, just follow the simple steps below:
- Download and install ClevGuard on your phone. You can do this by going to Google Play or clicking on the Download Now button below.
- Once ClevGuard is installed, you should open the app and click on the Scan button to start the spyware detection process. Then the app will search your device for any suspicious activity and notify you if it finds any spyware.
- After the scanning process is complete, you can review the results and remove any spyware that ClevGuard has detected.
2Contact Your Mobile Service Provider for Assistance
If you suspect that your phone has been cloned, you can also contact your mobile service provider for assistance. They may be able to check the activity on your account and provide information about any suspicious or unauthorized use.
To contact your mobile service provider, you can call your mobile service provider's customer service hotline or visit their website to find a support contact. The service provider will likely need to verify your identity and ask for your account information, such as your phone number, account number, and other personal details.
Part 4. How to Prevent Phone Cloning?
Now that we know how to identify a cloned phone, let’s go deeper and see how to prevent phone cloning in the first place.
One of the effective ways to prevent phone cloning is by using an anti-spyware tool, like ClevGuard Anti Spyware we introduced above. This software can detect and remove any spyware or malware that may have been installed on your device, and keep your device secure 24/7.
Another important aspect to prevent phone cloning is to secure your personal information. Always avoid sharing sensitive information like your social security number, bank account details, passwords, etc. with anyone. Also, be cautious while using public Wi-Fi networks, as they can be easily hacked, and your personal information can be compromised.
Conclusion
Phone cloning is a serious threat to your privacy and security. Therfore it's vital to recognize them and take immediate action to prevent damage. Today we discussed in details on how to tell if your phone is cloned. To prevent yourself from being phone-cloned, you can download the ClevGuard App, which can detect suspicious activities on your phone and alert you. With this app, you can rest assured that your phone is protected from phone cloning and other potential security threats.