You may not have thought about it too much, but your mobile phone number is very important. It’s not only used for calls and messages but it’s likely also your key to verifying your identity for various online accounts, banking services, and more. This is why mobile numbers are so valuable to fraudsters and scammers.
In fact, in recent months there has been a disturbing rise in reports of phone porting scams. This type of scam can leave victims without their phone service and vulnerable to identity theft and financial loss.
So, let’s take a closer look at what phone porting scams are and the practical things you can do to help protect yourself.
What is a phone porting scam?
Also known as a SIM swap scam, a phone porting scam occurs when a fraudster transfers your phone number from your current mobile carrier to another or sets up a new SIM card using your number, without your consent. Once they have control of your phone number, the scammer can intercept text messages and calls, including those containing two-factor authentication (2FA) codes used to secure your online accounts.
Here’s how it typically works:
- Scammers collect personal information about you through phishing, social engineering, or data breaches. This can include your name, address, phone number, Medicare number and more.
- Armed with this information, the scammer contacts your mobile service provider and impersonates you. They request a port-out of your number to a new carrier or a new SIM card.
- If they’re successful, the telco will transfer your phone number to the scammer’s device or SIM.
- The scammer can now receive your calls and texts, which gives them access to your bank accounts, email, social media, and other sensitive services such as myGov.
The consequences of phone porting scams
As with the majority of scams, the impact of falling victim to a phone porting scam can be severe. By porting your phone number, the scammers ensure that you lose access to it, disrupting your communication and access to important services.
With your number, scammers can make fraudulent purchases or transfers emptying bank accounts easily. They’ll also have access to your personal information which can lead to identity theft, and even further future financial damage.
Imagine if a criminal got access to your personal email inbox – what would they find? Many of us store important documents and information in our emails for ease, but doing this means it’s also easy for scammers to access. Now imagine if a criminal got access to your business accounts this way – it wouldn’t just be your personal data at risk, but your employees’ and the business’s reputation too.
Identifying a phone porting scam
So, how do you know if you’ve been targeted? Two keys signs that your number has been transferred to another provider without your authorisation are:
- Your mobile phone service is suddenly disconnected and instead of your telco’s name showing on your screen, you see “SOS only” instead.
- You receive a text message update from your telco advising that your number will be ported to a different network provider further to ‘your request’.
Contact your mobile phone provider immediately if you experience either of these things. If your mobile number has been ported, you should contact us as soon as possible on 13 25 77 so we can secure your P&N Bank accounts.
How to protect yourself and your number
The threat of phone porting scams is very real, but there are steps you can take to safeguard your mobile number and your personal information and limit your risk of becoming a victim.
Enable account PINs or passwords
Contact your mobile carrier and set up a secure PIN or password for your account. This adds an extra layer of security, as the carrier will require this information before making any changes to your account – but remember, never give out your password, PIN or security code to anyone during an unsolicited phone call.
Use two-factor authentication (2FA)
Enable 2FA on all your accounts but consider using an authentication app (such as Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Aegis or Twilio) instead of an SMS-based two-factor authentication option. This can help because the authentication code is tied to your device, not your phone number.
Monitor your online accounts
Regularly check your bank accounts and online accounts for any suspicious activity. Early detection can minimize the damage, so keep a close eye on your account statements and transactions.
Be cautious with your personal information
Always be wary of sharing your data online or over the phone. Scammers can use social engineering to gather the information they need to impersonate you convincingly. You should also regularly clear out your email inboxes and ensure you’re not storing any personal or sensitive data there. Use an external hard drive or a legitimate and secure cloud storage solution instead.
As with all scams, the key to staying safe is to be aware and proactive in prevention. By securing your mobile account, using robust authentication methods, and staying alert to suspicious activities, you can safeguard your personal information and financial well-being.
If you suspect you’re a victim of a phone porting scam, contact your mobile service provider immediately to reclaim your number. If you experience a SIM swap, contact your provider and get them to shut down the active SIM and provide you with a replacement.
You should notify your bank and any other relevant organisations that may be impacted, to secure your accounts as quickly as possible.
For more information on scams and to report cybercrime or scam activity, visit: