SIM swapping
SIM swapping is having someone's phone number moved onto a SIM card the fraudster controls, so that the victim's text messages arrive on their device.
In brief
SIM swapping is having someone's phone number moved onto a SIM card the fraudster controls, so that the victim's text messages arrive on their device.
Going deeper
The fraudster gathers enough personal detail to pass as the account holder, then asks the carrier for a replacement SIM or a port-out. The number moves to their device, and the original line goes dead.
From then on they receive the codes sent by text, which opens every account protected by a simple SMS confirmation. A sudden, unexplained loss of signal while the handset itself works normally is the warning sign to take straight to the carrier.
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