Shelley Polansky
There’s an uptick in scam reports from victims of SIM swapping, also known as SIM hijacking or cell phone porting. Hackers are using this tactic to gain control of victims’ cell numbers and access their social, email, and bank accounts.
The scam works like this. You receive a text message from your mobile carrier stating that your SIM card has been ‘updated.’ In most cases, your phone then stops working. When you contact your cell phone company, they explain that your number was ported to another carrier – at your request.
What really happened is that scammers called your cell phone carrier, claimed to be you and told them your SIM card was lost or stolen. They requested your number be transferred to a SIM card already in their possession. Scammers often only need your home address or Social Security number to pose as you.
By the time you realize something’s up, report the problem, and resolve it, several hours or days can pass. That gives scammers time to access any account that verifies your identity via text message. Scammers can access your bank account and make transfers, gather personal information from your email, and even steal your social media handles to impersonate you further. BBB offers these tips for protection.
• Set up extra security with your mobile provider. Major cell phone carriers allow you to set up extra verification measures that can prevent a stranger from successfully porting your phone number.
• Stop linking your phone number to online accounts. Instead, create strong passwords & security questions.
• Be extra careful when sharing personal information. Never share your full name, phone number, address, with people or companies you don’t know and trust.
~ Start with Trust® For more tips and information, visit bbb.org.