HOW TO PROTECT
YOURSELF FROM A
SMARTPHONE SCAM
FEATURE IMPACT
The first sign is unexpectedly
losing access to your cell phone.
Soon after, when you connect
to Wi-Fi, the gravity of the situation
sinks in: a criminal has gained access to
your cell phone number and is trying to
siphon money from your credit cards and bank accounts.
The scam is called SIM swapping, or SIM hijacking, and it’s a
concern for law enforcement in the United States and abroad
as more than 5,000 people have reported SIM swapping scams
to the FBI since 2022. Older adults, caregivers and families can
benefit from understanding the warning signs of SIM swapping
and taking simple security steps to prevent it from happening.
How SIM swapping works
A SIM card, or its digital version known as an eSIM, helps
connect a phone number to a carrier network. In a SIM
swapping scam, a criminal collects basic information about their
victim, such as their name, birthdate and address, to try to move
the victim’s phone number to a SIM card or eSIM profile the
criminal controls.
Once complete, the scammer gains access to accounts you may
be logged into on your phone, such as bank accounts or credit
card apps, without touching your phone or being near you.
How to protect yourself from SIM swapping scams
Preparation is the best protection against SIM swapping. Cell
phone users should use strong, unique passwords for each
online account - password managers are a helpful tool in
creating complex and randomized passwords. Use two-factor
authentication where it’s offered; this adds an extra layer of
security when accessing sensitive accounts.
Next, consumers should protect personal information they share
online, whether on social media or in texts or emails asking for
identifying data, such as PIN numbers, birthdates or one-time
security codes. Be wary of anyone pushing you to share personal
information, particularly if they’re pushy with their request or
make it sound urgent.
Check your mobile carrier to see if it offers SIM protection. For
example, Verizon customers can toggle on a protection feature
on the carrier’s website or app to lock lines on their account to
help prevent SIM changes.
If you get an unprompted notification that your SIM has been
changed, or otherwise suspect you’ve been targeted in a SIM
swapping scam, contact your banks immediately and have them
freeze your accounts, including ones the criminals may not have
targeted yet. Next, work with your cell phone provider to help
regain access to your mobile device. If you’re able, share as
much information as possible with law enforcement so they can
investigate, or at least document trends, in how often this scam
occurs.
To find more advice to protect against smartphone scams, visit
Verizon.com. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock Source: Verizon
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