A SIM card swap occurs when criminals convince your mobile carrier to transfer your phone number to a SIM card in their possession. Once they control your number, they intercept text messages and calls, which often include two-factor authentication codes for banking, email, or cryptocurrency accounts. With this access, fraudsters can reset passwords and lock you out of your own accounts.
This type of attack is especially dangerous because it bypasses many of the security features consumers rely on. Even strong passwords and security questions may not protect you if criminals gain access to your text-based verification codes. Victims often discover the fraud only after losing service on their phones or noticing unauthorized transactions.
In California and nationwide, SIM swap identity theft has grown significantly, with the FBI and FCC issuing warnings to consumers. Protecting yourself requires understanding the risks and implementing stronger forms of authentication, such as hardware tokens or app-based authenticators.
