Why are they putting new rules to stop scammers from hijacking your phone is in consideration? Well, Scammers are getting increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to get your money and personal details. So how can you ensure that your phone and your bank details are safe?
Assuming you have your strong passwords in place and your two-factor authentication set up, do you think your accounts are now safe? Think again. There’s much more to be done.
You might think your Social Security or bank account numbers are the most sensitive digits in your life. Nowadays, hackers can do far more damage with little effort using just your cell phone number.
But unlike your Social Security number, you’re far less likely to keep your cell phone number a secret otherwise nobody can contact you.
New Rules to Stop Scammers from Hijacking Your Phone Is In Consideration
Whether you’re an AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, or T-Mobile customer, every cell phone number can be a target for hackers. And it takes remarkably little effort to wreak havoc on your online life.
Think about it. You use your cell phone number all the time. You use it when you sign up to sites and services, and sometimes you’ll use it to log into an app or a game on your phone.
Your phone number can be used to reset your account if you forget your password. And, you use it for two-factor authentication to securely log in to your accounts.
If someone steals your phone number, they become you for all intents and purposes. With your phone number, a hacker can start hijacking your accounts one by one by having a password reset sent to your phone. There’s a lot of damage involved if your phone and SIM enter the wrong hand, I mean think about it.
How to Know You Have Been Scammed
Usually, someone first becomes aware that they have fallen victim to a sim-swap scam when their phone stops working or they discover they are unable to access bank and credit card accounts. Or they may get a text message or an email prior to the swap taking place.
How to Protect Your Phone and SIM
Below are tips to protect you from a SIM card swap attack;
- Don’t reply to calls, emails, or text messages that request personal information; these could be phishing attempts by scammers looking to get personal information to access your cellular, bank, credit, or other accounts.
- Limit the personal information you share online; if possible, avoid posting your full name, address, or phone number on public sites.
- Set up a PIN or password on your cellular account; this could help protect your account from unauthorized changes. Check your provider’s website for information on how to do this.
- Consider using stronger authentication on accounts with sensitive personal or financial information. If you do use MFA, keep in mind that text message verification may not stop a SIM card swap. If you’re concerned about SIM card swapping, use an authentication app or a security key.
What to Do If You Are a Target of SIM Swap Scam
If you are a target of a SIM swap scam follow the guidelines below;
- Contact your cellular service provider immediately to take back control of your phone number. After you regain access to your phone number, change your account passwords.
- Check your credit card, bank, and other financial accounts for unauthorized charges or changes. If you see any, report them to the company or institution.
There are many more tips you need to know about. you can check for more details here.
