It happened to a woman in Tampa in less than 20 minutes. She lost control of her phone number, her email, and eventually her bank accounts. The criminals didn’t have to break into her home, guess her password, or even see her face. They simply convinced her phone carrier to transfer her number to a new SIM card — a scam known as SIM swapping — and used that access to reset every account she owned.
Related Page: PROTECTING YOUR SENIOR INVESTMENTS: A GUIDE TO AVOIDING FINANCIAL SCAMS
According to the FBI, SIM-swapping complaints rose nearly 400% between 2018 and 2022, with millions of dollars stolen in total. The kicker? Most victims never even knew it was a risk until it was too late.
Your phone number has become one of the keys to your financial life. It’s how banks verify you. It’s how two-factor authentication works. It’s how password resets are sent. Lose control of it — even for a few hours — and you’ve given a criminal a master key to your identity.
That’s why locking your phone number isn’t optional anymore. It’s essential. And it’s easier to do than you might think.
Why Your Phone Number Is a Prime Target
Your phone number isn’t just a string of digits people use to call you. It’s tied to:
- Bank accounts and credit cards — Many financial institutions use text codes to verify logins or transactions.
- Email accounts — Your phone number can be a backup recovery option.
- Social media profiles — Hackers can use a SIM swap to reset passwords and impersonate you.
- Shopping accounts — Amazon, PayPal, Venmo, and others often rely on phone-based verification.
For criminals, stealing your phone number is like walking into your digital vault with a universal passcode.
How SIM Swapping Works
(and Why It’s So Dangerous)
A SIM swap is when someone convinces your cell phone provider to transfer your number to a SIM card they control.
They might:
- Pretend to be you — Using personal information found online or through data breaches.
- Convince customer service — Claiming their phone was lost or stolen and they need a “quick transfer.”
- Receive your texts and calls — This includes all one-time passcodes, verification texts, and password reset links.
From there, it’s a domino effect. They reset your email password. Then your bank login. Then your credit card accounts. If they move quickly enough, they can drain accounts before you even realize your phone has “no service.”
Signs You Might Be Under Attack
If you notice any of these, act immediately:
- Your phone suddenly says “No Service” or loses signal for no reason.
- You’re logged out of accounts without explanation.
- You get alerts about password resets you didn’t request.
- Friends or family say they’re getting suspicious messages from you.
If any of these happen, contact your mobile provider and your bank immediately.
How to Lock Your Phone Number
The good news: locking your number is quick, free, and can stop most SIM-swapping attempts cold.
1. Add a Port Freeze or Number Lock with Your Carrier
- AT&T: Add an “Extra Security” passcode to your account.
- Verizon: Set up a “Number Lock” in your account settings.
- T-Mobile: Enable “Account Takeover Protection.”
This prevents your number from being moved to another SIM without extra verification.
2. Set a Strong Account PIN or Passcode
- Don’t use something predictable like your birth year or 1234.
- Use at least 6 digits and make it unrelated to any personal information.
3. Limit Personal Info Online
- Avoid posting your full birth date, address, or mother’s maiden name on social media.
- Criminals often piece together these details for social engineering.
4. Switch to an Authenticator App
- Instead of relying solely on SMS verification codes, use an app like Google Authenticator or Authy.
- These codes are generated locally on your device, making SIM swaps useless against them.
5. Notify Your Bank
- Ask if they offer app-based or token-based verification instead of text messages.
- Ensure your bank profile has an email address and secondary authentication option.
What to Do If You’ve Been SIM Swapped
If you suspect you’ve lost your number to a criminal:
- Call your carrier immediately — From another phone — and report the unauthorized transfer.
- Contact your bank — Freeze accounts or add additional verification measures.
- Change your passwords — Start with email, then financial accounts, then everything else.
- Enable fraud alerts — Place a free alert with all three credit bureaus.
Why This Matters for Your Financial Security
As a community bank, we take your security seriously. We’ve seen how quickly a SIM swap can lead to real financial damage. Locking your phone number is like locking the front door to your digital home — it keeps bad actors from getting a head start.
The technology criminals use is evolving, but so are the tools to stop them. Taking 10 minutes today to protect your number can save you weeks — or months — of recovery time later.
Final Thoughts
Your phone number isn’t just a contact method anymore. It’s a key to your finances, your personal life, and your identity. Leaving it unprotected is like leaving your house keys in the ignition of an unlocked car.
Lock your number. Add a PIN. Reduce your digital footprint. And tell your family and friends to do the same — because the more people protect themselves, the harder it gets for scammers to win.
