Have you ever heard of a SIM swap scam? It's a sneaky trick where scammers try to take control of your phone number by convincing your phone company to move it to a new device or account. Sometimes, they even switch your number to a different service provider without you knowing.

How SIM Swap Scams Happen

Scammers gather personal details about you, like your name, address, or maybe even your account numbers. They use this information to pretend to be you when talking to your phone company. If they succeed, your phone number gets transferred to their phone. 

When this happens, you might notice your phone suddenly stops working or you get a strange text message. All your calls and texts — including important codes sent from your bank or other services — go to the scammer instead of you. 

What to Watch Out For

• Your phone suddenly loses service for no clear reason. 
  
• You receive alerts about your number being moved, but you didn't request it. 
• Strange activity on your bank accounts or other online services. 

How to Stay Safe

• Keep your personal information private — don't share it with people you don't trust. 
  
• Use strong, unique passwords for your online accounts. 
• Set up extra security steps (like PINs or security questions) for your phone provider account if possible. 
• Be cautious about links or requests for information sent to you by text or email. 

What To Do If You Think You're a Victim

• Contact your phone company right away to report the problem. 
• Let your financial institution and other important services know what happened. 
• Change your passwords and keep a close eye on your accounts for any unusual activity.