Is the Port Out Scam real or a scam?

This is a confirmed scam. Do not click any links, do not provide personal information, and do not send money. This is a other scam.

What should I do if I received the Port Out Scam?

Do not respond or click any links. Block the sender, report the message as spam, and delete it. If it came via text message, forward it to 7726 (SPAM).

What if I already fell for the Port Out Scam?

Change your passwords immediately, contact your bank if you shared financial information, place a fraud alert on your credit, and file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

How do I report the Port Out Scam?

Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, and your local law enforcement. If it impersonated a specific company, report it to that company as well.

Port Out Scam: Is It a Scam?

Medium Prevalence Type: Other

Yes, this is a scam. Do not click any links or provide personal information.

A port out scam is similar to a SIM swap but involves transferring your phone number to a completely different carrier. The criminal uses your personal information to initiate a number port, gaining control of your phone number and all associated two-factor authentication codes.

How This Scam Works

Using your personal details obtained through phishing or data breaches, a scammer contacts a different mobile carrier and requests to port your number to a new account they control. The porting process is designed to let consumers switch carriers easily, but scammers exploit it. Your current carrier may send a confirmation text, but if the port goes through before you notice, your phone loses service. The scammer now controls your number on their carrier and can intercept all calls and texts. They then use this to bypass two-factor authentication and access your financial accounts.

Red Flags to Watch For

Unexpected text from your carrier about a port-out request
Sudden and complete loss of phone service
Your carrier says your number was ported to another provider
Unauthorized password reset emails for your accounts
Your carrier's app or website shows account changes you did not make

Example Scam Messages

Text from carrier: 'A request to transfer your phone number to another carrier has been received. If you did not authorize this, contact us immediately at [carrier number].' --- Email: 'Your [email provider] password has been reset using a verification code sent to your phone number.' Email: 'A withdrawal of $5,000 has been initiated from your account. If you did not authorize this, call us immediately.'

What to Do If You Received This

Set up a port-out PIN with your carrier (different from your account PIN)
Enable port-out protection features offered by your carrier
Switch to authenticator apps instead of SMS-based 2FA
Respond immediately to any carrier notifications about port requests
Keep your carrier account information secure

What to Do If You Fell For It

Contact your original carrier immediately to reverse the port
Call your bank to freeze all accounts
Change all passwords, especially email and financial accounts
Place a credit freeze at all three credit bureaus
File a police report and an FTC identity theft report

How to Report This Scam

Report to your carrier's fraud department
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
File a complaint with FBI IC3 at ic3.gov
File a complaint with the FCC at fcc.gov
File an identity theft report at identitytheft.gov

Last updated: February 10, 2026