Expand Magazine - Volume 6 Issue 2

WAIT ... JUST HOW EASILY CAN MY PHONE NUMBER BE STOLEN?
WAIT ... JUST HOW EASILY CAN MY PHONE NUMBER BE STOLEN?
To find out how easy it is to pull off a SIM swap scam, Princeton researchers recently tested
To find out how easy it is to pull off a SIM swap scam, Princeton researchers recently tested
five major U.S. cell phone providers. They were alarmingly successful, completing 39 fake SIM
five major U.S. cell phone providers. They were alarmingly successful, completing 39 fake SIM
swaps in 50 attempts. What does this tell us? If someone sets their sights on your cell number,
swaps in 50 attempts. What does this tell us? If someone sets their sights on your cell number,
the odds are not in your favor.
the odds are not in your favor.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF SIM SWAP FRAUD?
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF SIM SWAP FRAUD?
If you notice any of these warning signs, you should contact your cell phone
If you notice any of these warning signs, you should contact your cell phone
provider immediately:
provider immediately:
GETTING LOCKED OUT OF YOUR PHONE’S ONLINE ACCOUNT. Contact your cell provider
GETTING LOCKED OUT OF YOUR PHONE’S ONLINE ACCOUNT. Contact your cell provider
immediately if you suddenly find yourself locked out of your phone service’s online account—
immediately if you suddenly find yourself locked out of your phone service’s online account—
a SIM swap may be the cause.
a SIM swap may be the cause.
NO CELL PHONE SERVICE, EVEN WITH GOOD RECEPTION. If your phone loses service or you
NO CELL PHONE SERVICE, EVEN WITH GOOD RECEPTION. If your phone loses service or you
cannot receive calls or texts when reception is clearly present, it’s time to notify your provider.
cannot receive calls or texts when reception is clearly present, it’s time to notify your provider.
PHONE SERVICE NOTIFICATIONS FOR THINGS YOU DIDN’T DO. Be alert for notifications of
PHONE SERVICE NOTIFICATIONS FOR THINGS YOU DIDN’T DO. Be alert for notifications of
suspicious activities. Most cell providers will notify you when something out of the ordinary
suspicious activities. Most cell providers will notify you when something out of the ordinary
happens to your account.
happens to your account.
If you suspect that you’re a victim of a SIM swap scam, call your mobile carrier and let
If you suspect that you’re a victim of a SIM swap scam, call your mobile carrier and let
them know that you didn’t make changes to your account. You should also get in touch with
them know that you didn’t make changes to your account. You should also get in touch with
your bank and check for transactions that aren’t yours. Subscribing to a reputable credit
your bank and check for transactions that aren’t yours. Subscribing to a reputable credit
monitoring service is also advisable. (At SNB, we offer a Value Checking account that includes
monitoring service is also advisable. (At SNB, we offer a Value Checking account that includes
credit monitoring and identity theft protection service).
credit monitoring and identity theft protection service).
HOW TO PREVENT SIM SWAPPING:
HOW TO PREVENT SIM SWAPPING:
Take these extra precautions to avoid falling victim to SIM swap fraud:
Take these extra precautions to avoid falling victim to SIM swap fraud:
LOCK YOUR PHONE NUMBER WITH YOUR SERVICE CARRIER.
LOCK YOUR PHONE NUMBER WITH YOUR SERVICE CARRIER.
Many carriers offer a “Number Lock” (or “Port Freeze”) to protect your mobile
Many carriers offer a “Number Lock” (or “Port Freeze”) to protect your mobile
number from an unauthorized transfer. Once a number is locked, it cannot be
number from an unauthorized transfer. Once a number is locked, it cannot be
ported to another line or carrier unless you remove the lock — usually with a PIN
ported to another line or carrier unless you remove the lock — usually with a PIN
number or by physically walking into the store. If your cell carrier allows a number
number or by physically walking into the store. If your cell carrier allows a number
lock, it’s a good idea to get the extra protection.
lock, it’s a good idea to get the extra protection.
LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF PERSONAL INFORMATION YOU SHARE ONLINE.
LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF PERSONAL INFORMATION YOU SHARE ONLINE.
Fraudsters will latch on to the smallest details in order convince your carrier
Fraudsters will latch on to the smallest details in order convince your carrier
that they are you. Avoid posting anywhere public your full name, address, phone
that they are you. Avoid posting anywhere public your full name, address, phone
number and birth date. Also, do not overshare details of your personal life on social
number and birth date. Also, do not overshare details of your personal life on social
media. Chances are, you’ve included some of these details in the online security
media. Chances are, you’ve included some of these details in the online security
questions used to verify your identity.
questions used to verify your identity.