Is the SIM Swap 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 SIM Swap 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 SIM Swap 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 SIM Swap 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.

SIM Swap Scam: Is It a Scam?

High Prevalence Type: Other

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

In a SIM swap scam, criminals convince your mobile carrier to transfer your phone number to a SIM card they control. Once they have your number, they can receive your two-factor authentication codes and take over your bank accounts, email, and crypto wallets.

How This Scam Works

The scammer gathers your personal information through phishing, data breaches, or social engineering. They then contact your mobile carrier pretending to be you, claiming they lost their phone or need a new SIM card. Using your personal details to pass security verification, they convince the carrier to transfer your number to their SIM. Your phone immediately loses service. The scammer now receives all your calls and texts, including two-factor authentication codes. They use these codes to reset passwords on your email, banking, and cryptocurrency accounts, draining funds before you realize what happened.

Red Flags to Watch For

Your phone suddenly loses all cellular service
You cannot make calls or send texts
You receive notifications about account changes you did not make
You get an email about a SIM change you did not request
Your carrier confirms your number was transferred to another device

Example Scam Messages

There are no typical scam messages for SIM swaps since the attack happens through your carrier. Warning signs you might see: Email: 'Your password for [Bank Name] online banking has been changed. If you did not make this change, contact us immediately.' Email: 'A new device has been added to your email account from an unrecognized location.' Text before the swap (social engineering attempt): 'AT&T: We detected an issue with your account. Reply with your PIN to verify your identity.'

What to Do If You Received This

Add a PIN or passphrase to your carrier account (call your carrier)
Use authenticator apps instead of SMS for two-factor authentication
Monitor your phone for unexpected loss of service
Ask your carrier about SIM swap protection features
Limit personal information shared on social media

What to Do If You Fell For It

Contact your carrier immediately from another phone to reclaim your number
Change passwords on all critical accounts starting with email and banking
Contact your bank to freeze accounts
Place a credit freeze at all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)
File a police report
File an identity theft report at identitytheft.gov

How to Report This Scam

Report to your mobile carrier's fraud department
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
File a complaint with FBI IC3 at ic3.gov
File an identity theft report at identitytheft.gov
Report to the FCC at fcc.gov/consumers/guides/protect-your-phone-account

Last updated: February 10, 2026