SIM Swap Scam

A scammer convinces your mobile carrier to transfer your phone number to a SIM card they control, letting them intercept the text-message codes used to reset passwords and drain bank or crypto accounts.

A scammer gathers enough personal information about a target — often through phishing or data broker sites — to impersonate them to their mobile carrier, either by calling customer support or tricking an employee, and requests that the victim's phone number be transferred to a new SIM card the scammer controls. Once the swap goes through, the victim's phone loses service entirely while the scammer starts receiving all their calls and texts, including the one-time passcodes needed to reset passwords on email, banking, and cryptocurrency accounts.

• Your phone suddenly loses all signal or shows "No Service" with no explanation.
• You stop receiving calls or texts you were expecting.
• You get a notification that your SIM or phone number was changed without your action.
• You're locked out of accounts that use text messages for two-factor authentication.

• Add a PIN or passcode to your mobile account that's required for any SIM changes.
• Use an authenticator app instead of SMS for two-factor authentication where possible.
• Watch for an unexpected loss of cell signal, which can indicate your number was just transferred.
• Contact your carrier immediately if your phone suddenly loses service without explanation.