Information provided by the Police - given the number of burglaries on the island generally, it is always useful to check that your intruder alarm is operating correctly. Advice has been given in the past regarding batteries, but this time the advice is regarding SIM cards. Police have also added that it is worth carrying out a monthly check on your SIM card to ensure it is functioning correctly and that renewal has not been overlooked.
If your alarm system sends out alarm activations or alerts via GSM SIM card, please take some time to ensure that your SIM card is working correctly. If it is not, then you will not receive a text message should your premises fall victim to burglars.
In the case of a SIM 'pay as you go', this must be topped up with €10 of credit every year. If it does not get topped up, the card will be disconnected - and the first you will know about it will be when you do not get an alert text message in the event of a breakin.
If you have an annual contract SIM card, as long as you, or your alarm company, pays the SIM card bill annually or monthly, the SIM card will never be disconnected and will always work.
There have been instances recently where it was thought that the alarm had not worked correctly. However, it was found that the problem lay with the SIM card. Despite being on an annual contract with an alarm company, some SIM cards had been deactivated - most likely because of non-payment of monthly accounts either by the homeowner or the alarm company - the system, therefore, was unable to send text messages to alert the homeowner and/or alarm company.
TO CHECK YOUR SIM CARD IS FUNCTIONING:
Set off the alarm. Let it ring for about 30 seconds to give the SIM card chance to send out the text messages to the numbers stored in the system. If you do not receive a message, then it is likely that the SIM has been deactivated.
It is recommended that a regular monthly test is carried out so that you ensure your system operates correctly in the event of a breakin or attempt thereat.