In recent years, a new type of fraud has emerged that targets people who own cell phones. This fraud is called sim swap fraud, and it occurs when someone tricks your cell phone carrier into giving them control of your phone number. Once the scammer has control of your phone number, they can use it to access your online accounts and steal your personal information.
Sim swap fraud is on the rise, and it can happen to anyone. That’s why it’s important to be aware of how this type of fraud happens and what you can do to prevent it.
How Sim Swap Fraud Happens
Sim swap fraud usually starts with a phishing email or text message. The message appears to be from your cell phone carrier, and it asks you to click a link or provide personal information. If you click the link or provide the requested information, you will be taken to a fake website that looks like your carrier’s website. On this website, you will be asked to enter even more personal information.
Once the scammer has all of the information they need, they will contact your cell phone carrier and request that your phone number be transferred to a new SIM card. The scammer will then have control of your phone number, and they can use it to reset the passwords on your online accounts. They can also use it to set up new accounts in your name and make charges on your existing accounts.
What You Can Do to Prevent Sim Swap Fraud
The best way to prevent sim swap fraud is to be aware of how it happens and what you can do to protect yourself. Here are some tips:
-Join Go Talk Wireless, we include a variety of tools to keep your number safe and help protect about this crime.
-Never click on links or open attachments in emails or text messages from unknown senders. If you receive an email or text message that appears to be from your cell phone carrier, do not click on any links or open any attachments. Instead, contact your carrier directly to confirm that the message is legitimate.
-Do not enter personal information on websites unless you are sure that the website is legitimate. If you are unsure whether a website is legitimate, look for signs that the site is secure, such as https:// in the URL or a green padlock icon in the browser window. You should also check for reviews of the site before entering any personal information.
-Keep your antivirus software up to date. Antivirus software can help protect your device against malware, which can be used to steal personal information or take over your device. Be sure to keep your antivirus software up to date so that it can protect against the latest threats.
Sim swap fraud is a serious threat, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself. Be aware of how this type of fraud happens and always verify emails and text messages before clicking on any links or attachments. When entering personal information on websites, make sure that the sites are legitimate by looking for https:// in the URL or a green padlock icon in the browser window. Finally, keep your antivirus software up-to-date so that it can protect against the latest threats.
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