Secure account SIM swap

A SIM swap is a targeted fraud that steals your phone number by tricking your mobile carrier into moving that number to a new SIM card, and once attackers control the number they can intercept SMS messages and calls used for account recovery and two-factor authentication. The attack begins with social engineering of the carrier, often using leaked personal data to convince support staff to transfer the number, and the result is loss of access to accounts tied to that number. With control of your number an attacker can request password resets, receive one-time codes, and take over social accounts, email, and even crypto platforms that allow SMS-based recovery. The damage extends beyond money because compromised accounts can be used to impersonate you and harm friends or community members. Preventing SIM swaps starts with removing SMS as your primary second factor whenever possible by switching to authenticator apps or hardware security keys, and these methods do not rely on your phone number. Add a carrier-level PIN or passcode to your mobile account, and treat that PIN like a separate password that you never share. Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts and manage them with a password manager to reduce the chance that leaked credentials help an attacker. Disable any account recovery options that allow password resets by SMS when services permit that change. Store backup and recovery codes offline in a secure place and not in email or cloud storage. Be cautious about sharing personal data publicly since attackers use such data to impersonate you to carriers and platforms. Regularly review your account activity for unexpected logins and set up alerts where available to catch suspicious changes early. If you suspect a SIM swap, contact your carrier immediately and request an emergency freeze or port-out block, then change passwords and re-seed your authentication methods from a secure device. In organizations, avoid shared passwords and use delegated access tools that let individuals act without handing over credentials. Avoid clicking links from unknown senders to prevent malware that can capture session tokens and further worsen a compromise. When you travel use trusted networks or a VPN rather than public Wi-Fi for sensitive actions. Think of SIM swap risk as a vulnerability at the crossroads of phone identity and online access, and apply layered defenses so no single failure gives an attacker full control.