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Avoiding Scams: SIM Card Swapping

Posted on May 12, 2025

Avoiding Scams: SIM Card Swapping

SIM Swapping: What It Is and How to Stay Protected

 

SIM Swapping is a fast-growing scam that allows fraudsters to take control of your phone number—and potentially your identity. It happens when a scammer tricks your mobile provider into activating a new SIM card using your phone number. Once that switch happens, your calls and texts go to their device, not yours.

That means they can receive your verification codes, reset your account passwords, access sensitive information, and even attempt to drain your bank accounts.

 

How does it happen?
Scammers often gather personal information from phishing emails, social media, or data breaches. They use this info to impersonate you with your phone provider and request a SIM card transfer.

 

 

How to Spot SIM Swapping:

  • You suddenly can’t call or text: Your phone may show “No Service” even though your bill is paid and there’s no outage.
  • You’re locked out of online accounts: If scammers intercept security codes sent via text, they can change your login credentials.
  • You see suspicious charges: Once they access your financial accounts, unauthorized transactions may follow.
 

 

How to Stay Protected:

  • Limit what you share online—especially birthdays, pet names, or anything a scammer could use to answer security questions.
  •  Never respond to unsolicited texts or emails asking for personal info.
  •  Set up account activity alerts to catch unauthorized changes early.
  •  Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication (preferably through an authenticator app—not text messages).
 

 

The Good News? We’ve Got You Covered.

With Citizens Digital, it’s easy to protect yourself.  Set up text and email alerts for logins.  Safeguard your password, always use Multi Factor Authentication.   It's a simple way to bank smarter and safer.

And if something ever feels off, we’re here to help. Our team can assist and helping you recover quickly and securely.

 

 

Get More™ protection. Get More™ peace of mind. Only at Citizens.
Call our Customer Care Team at (608) 785-2265

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