Protect your accounts against SIM-swap fraud
In a SIM-swap, a criminal convinces your telco to move your number to their SIM, then catches your SMS codes. Moving away from SMS and locking your telco account are the defences.
- Switch important accounts from SMS codes to an authenticator app or passkey, which a SIM-swap cannot intercept.
- Ask your mobile provider to add extra security to your account, such as a port-out PIN or passcode.
- Be alert to a sudden loss of mobile signal for no reason — it can mean your number was just ported away.
- If your phone goes dead unexpectedly, contact your telco urgently from another line to check.
- Keep your telco account password strong and unique, since that account controls your number.
- Do not share one-time codes or account PINs with anyone who calls or texts you, however official they sound.
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