SIM swapping: How to avoid this sneaky phone theft

Imagine someone stealing your phone number without ever having access to your phone.

[@williamvictory4544]

Cell phone providers should be liable if the information you gave them leaked out of their system.

[@lisarct1012]

So what are our Cell phone providers doing to prevent this?? It starts with them when they open the gate without proper verification of identity. They should be responsible. Hopefully their employees are bonded too.

[@Tad-zh4wr]

Precisely Even code won’t work if it’s inside job. Best get security key or face recognition or fingerprint

[@zombiekilla7463]

carrier is guilty

[@sandman1347]

Yup. Most of these are inside jobs nowadays.

[@789_.]

100% This can only be done by someone working for the wireless service provider, because when someone calls them and claims to be you and that your sim card is damaged and they need to replace it , all they need to do is put them on hold and call your number and verify with you before switching your phone number to their sim card .

[@789_.]

Why don't the carrier call you before doing the swap , sounds like their employees are guilty .

[@Tad-zh4wr]

Yep. Using codes w carriers won’t help in case it’s coming from inside. Use security key or face/fingerprint

[@joshmartin1938]

Inside jobs- employees of the CELL PHONE Company

[@musicoldies83]

That won't work, as the scammers already have that angle covered. All they have to do is say that their main phone isn't working anymore, which is why they're calling from an alternate number in the first place.

[@lingth]

Its like how some ppl call banks and then say their card is lost ..pretending to be that owner and asking for a replacement card to be send to them

[@SongMom8]

Every time I am asked if I want to add my phone number for two-step verification, I think NO. I have always had a bad feeling about that.

[@Tad-zh4wr]

Use land line or security key bc PIN codes won’t work if scammer is inside job

[@belleame4671]

Always call and get your code... Don't add your number!!

[@claudeloi]

I do not trust doing any financial activities on the phone. I never use my phone to check my bank account or anything related to financial on the phone period.

[@kauigirl808]

This has nothing to do with activities on the phone.

[@KAT-dg6el]

@@kauigirl808Well how would somebody get a hold of, example your savings account, if you don’t have any of that information on your phone? Even though my bank assured me it was super safe I go into the bank to make any withdrawals.

[@Tad-zh4wr]

That’s good Ps you know those Twitter accounts that ask Radom questions like what is favorite…. Or what year did you ….. well those are data miners. Never share info online

[@walterjones404]

Their example was a memory card. Either way, my T-Mobile number got ported out fraudulently, they got into my bank. After all the T-Mobile breaches my phone or credit wasn’t secure

[@leonardbrinkman4410]

And it's not just thinks that the criminals are going after they are all going after PayPal accounts as well! And that is why the FBI cannot find these criminals because the FBI does not know where these criminals are. But by changing your cellular phone number that means the criminal will know your new one just about as fast as they can swipe your old one!

[@SeeSaw99]

1:41 “BREAKING NEWS” that’s not a SIM card, 😂

[@rayrous8229]

I saw that too.

[@DELvEK]

Exactly what I was about to write. 🙌🤣 Big amateur mistake by them right there ! It makes her look so ignorant and dont even know what she is talking about. Shame.🤣

[@tesses50]

micro sd card

[@trizedlyza]

And the term is wrong too, it's not a SIM Swap, the carrier is changing your phone number from your phone to a new guy's ESN/IMEI, SIM number so he gets your phone calls. All the artwork showing a real SIM is even worse just keeping it going in my mind that "what the heck are people drunk in bars getting their real SIM cards stolen??"

[@roachtoasties]

@@trizedlyza The term doesn't exactly explain what happens, but "SIM Swap" has become the term used for an unauthorized mobile number move.

[@Alex1891]

"The term SIM-swapping comes from this SIM card" *Holds up a micro-SD card*

[@mgunt]

Thank God I wasn't the only one who realized that. I know that I am a tech nerd, but still, anyone with an Android phone can spot a microSD card from a mile away (not literally, but you get my point). The amount of computer illiteracy from even younger generations like the Millennials, Generation Z, and Generation Alpha is shocking and ridiculous.

[@henryalugoro9049]

To claim a new SIM with the same numbers need meeting face to face , not done by calling

[@hannahl.7202]

Well - I have heard about this scam three years ago . And still wasn’t it solved ? Really ? And ??? How to avoid it ?

[@teevee396]

Biometric verification is compulsory to issue or port sim.than we stop it.

[@ppen8359]

This news only tells me a little. So they got my phone number. How does that help them take money out of my bank account?

[@ppen8359]

@@yasinunlu443 Maybe, but that is not how my credit union works. The scammer needs your ID. My credit union sends me a new password to my email address. Some banks are more vulnerable to this technique than others. The person with the new phone must download the bank app and also know your email login credentials.

[@trizedlyza]

If they know enough to con a phone company into transferring your phone number to a new phone they know enough about you to steal your ID. When they can tell a company to call them back at your phone number and it reaches the scammer then the bank etc. is very likely to believe that person because after all they called you at your listed phone number. (Works the same for online accounts that send you the 6 digit codes just to verify it's you and your phone.)

[@XOXO-vd3bg]

There is more to this whole SIM card mess and verification. Not all really adding up. Missing how when where who. ???????

[@stephenkeen6039]

Ok, what if I do not banking via cell phones? For checking and monetary transactions I use non-WIFI cable and routers.

[@hansvetter8653]

Your contract with your network provider includes your personnel home address, to which any new SIM card will be sent by letter. So how will any scammer get into its possession? Only SIM cards originated from your network provider can be activated. The scam can only be executed if the network provider accepts requests for a different home address of the customer.

[@dominiquedoeslife]

Yeah…there’s a startling amount of probably unintentional misinformation here. I’m not going to get into it right now, but I hope I’ll have time one day. Thank you to those who have already begun commenting to correct some of it!!

[@T.Jetson]

Do not put anything about your bank on your phone. No cards on PayPal or credit cards.

[@journeyswithj246]

That's a memory card not a sim card lol

[@alafortinfoni]

good eye

[@JC-hp4hl]

Lmmfao wow

[@mrbear1302]

But how do the scammers know which banks people use etc.?

[@TheoneGodfather]

From the apps and information on your phone. It all transfers to their phone.

[@JuanEditor]

@@TheoneGodfather So not keeping your banking app on your phone is another good security measure you can take?

[@hugohabicht9957]

@@TheoneGodfatherIncluding your cloud content 😂

[@jrmybrtltt]

I don't think it was necessary to do the close up shot of his teeth.

[@Tad-zh4wr]

Please be better

[@MrDocomox]

1:40 - she pulled out a micro SD from her phone. True blonde.

[@landshass2849]

1:40 that's not a sim card you're showing us, it a micro SD card.

[@nikki2702]

is textnow guilty of this sim swapping scam/fraud or privacy breech??

[@roachtoasties]

That's not a SIM card (1:38). That's a MicroSD card.

[@nturavrgchick6055]

What kind of Google number are they talking about giving to people other than friends/family?

[@EA-kb9pr]

I have the same question. What does that mean, Google number??

[@magatow1906]

When somebody steals your phone account, it's called SIM swapping. And when a woman gets a new boyfriend, that's called SIMP swapping.

[@f5fstop]

I cannot access any of my accounts that have two-step verification UNTIL I HAVE ENTERED A 32 CHARACTER PASSWORD, found only on my very secure computer. However, how many people do not know their phone is not working in the AM? And if not working have not contacted the provider?

[@leonardbrinkman4410]

And what I see happening is that is one of the reasons why people change their cell numbers because of that because it's already too late because the hackers know that they can steal your cell phone number that's it but they can steal anybody's cell phone number because they know the area code the prefix and all four tickets and they know every single area code the three-digit prefix and the 4 digit suffix. But here's the deal these criminals are transferring your cell phone number onto a disposable prepaid phone but they won't be able to find the scammer because the scammer will not be able to be traced at all!

[@kchaney56]

She did not show a SIM card, she showed a memory card.

[@landshass2849]

How hard is to sim swap an iPhone vs an Android?

[@HeyItsAvi90]

All the same. Sim swapping is on the carrier side. I swap between ip and A all the time. All i need to do is contact my carrier to swap it to any phone

[@9s.o]

my g started to type what you do mean

[@liesuli8778]

Ojalá hubiera más personas como tú para detener a todos estos estafadores, necesitan mucho tiempo en la cárcel para eso, especialmente cuando toman dinero de los ancianos, siguen haciendo lo que estás haciendo *GrindTechiei* 👏 pon el viento a estos ladrones de oxígeno de baja vida. Me encanta lo que hacéis, chicos, mantened con el gran trabajo, Marco, bien hecho, muy respetado•

[@sammyocgirl7411]

i dont keep anything on my phone a few pics and my contact list THATS IT

[@prageeth4855]

1:42 that is a microsd card 😂

[@moa3008]

My iPhone 15 Pro max doesn’t have a SIM card in it so I’m going to assume that a cyber criminal can’t hack into my bank accounts.

[@ayocam07]

i also have 15 pro max use the SIM Pin number and VPN

[@HeyItsAvi90]

Sim swapping can be done on E-Sim. All they need is the account pin and number and they can swap the sim. It doesnt need ot be the actual simcard

[@user-ms4be5tq3z]

Well, on January 12 of 2024, my iPhone 15 pro went on sos, called Xfinity from my wife’s phone and guess what? Someone else was using my number and, went on my bank, eBay, PayPal, and much more

[@trizedlyza]

Yeah it's not really "SIM Swapping" they don't steal your SIM, they convince the phone company to steal your number and send it to the scammers phone. Can be SIM, eSIM, landline with a port out request. A grandma could have her land line phone number stolen. The scammer generally needs to know enough about you to convince someone it's you.

[@hugohabicht9957]

Seems to be a US problem. When I changed my phone all ebanking apps stopped working first

[@HeyItsAvi90]

"This sim card" HOLDS A MICRO-SD Card LMAOOOOOOOOOO

[@joedouche3818]

I avoided it since cell phones were invented, how? By never having or using a cell phone.

[@trizedlyza]

Won't work, if a scammer finds enough info about you to steal your ID, then they use a "port out" request to your local Bell phone company they can steal your phone number and then call the bank and try to act like you. If they tell the bank "what number is on your caller ID, I tell you it's really me", or they say "call me back at the phone number on file" the bank might believe them when they call your listed phone number but it rings into the scammers cell phone. I know bank "pass phrases" help, but sometimes scammers will act like they were in an accident and in the hospital and that's why they don't remember the pass phrase or they sounds different.

[@bloodxhoneyxmm7152]

Just turn off your SIM card in your settings

[@sandman1347]

Then you wouldn't be able to make or receive calls

[@dudmanjohn]

This will not defeat scammers who get a SIM card with your phone number.

[@KalaKrishna145]

This is a common sense that a SIM has all information in it, even if you change it. Sorry to say that west don't listen to normal people complaints. Through this platform I request that please limit the Hindu employment in all phone companies. 🙏

[@SArthur221]

1:40 that's not a sim card

[@JoanMcCants-cs9tq]

✓✓✓

[@ToboeKey309]

I like how the female news reporter is holding a micro sd card 🤣🤣🤣 that is not a fuckin sim card 🤭🤭🤭