Among the simplest and most effective defenses against SIM swapping, a dedicated PIN or port-out lock can be enabled on your account so that unauthorized transfer of the phone number can be stopped — even when the scammer has all the personal information about you. Nowadays, most carriers offer a setting over the app or customer service called number lock or SIM lock.

The moment you set a PIN, make sure that it is not common birthday or just simple numbers; it becomes a critical measure before the completion of a SIM swap.

Let’s replace every SMS-based 2FA left for a time-based code app:

Google Authenticator or Authy. A hardware key, nevertheless, is even more preferable.

None of these methods depend upon your mobile carrier and would remain secure if your SIM card were compromised. Using a password manager alongside unique and complex passwords strengthens account security all the more.

Do Not Share Personal Data On Social Media Or Any Public Arena

Scammers engage in SIM swapping and obtain personal data like names, birthdays, address, and name of pets to impersonate and deceive. Do not make personal information public, or limit sharing this information to avoid exposing it.

Keep security questions and recovery details unrelated to easily knowable facts about yourself, as this would make it harder to crack your personal security.

Replace Phone Number Links With Alternative Channels of Contact

Whenever possible, dissociate any phone number from a sensitive account such as banking, email, or crypto. Instead, like crypto-related accounts, one should favor mail-based recovery coupled with authenticator applications and different contact numbers.

Some users mention “burner” or VoIP numbers registered uniquely for high-security accounts and, as a result, leaving their primary numbers relatively untainted.

Track Accounts and Make Notifications on Unexpected Activity

Early detection is critical following SIM-eswap attempt. So enable alerts for any login attempts, password changes, or number-port requests in your carrier account.

Keep an eye out for unusual activity, such as the loss of signal or being unable to call or text normally, which are often indicators of the evocation of one’s number.

In a case of assumed SIM swap, prompt action, such as calling your carrier and financial institutions, can help you regain control before significant damage is inflicted.

Secure Your Email and Critical Accounts with Good Passwords and Keys

Given that hackers usually reset account credentials once obtaining a phone number, safeguarding your email and other crucial services is extremely important. Long, unique passwords are the way to go for every single account, with some other form of non-SMS 2FA set, or hardware key, as an extra layer of protection.

Audit all successfully logged-in devices and remove any suspicious ones.

This set of rules shall act against any unauthorized access even in the case that the person gets hold or finds out your phone number.

Use Identity Check to Keep Carrier Account Settings Locked

Another precautionary step to take at your mobile carrier would be placing an extra layer of protection by requiring ID verification in person for SIM swaps or number-port requests and disabling being done via phone or online only.

Most carriers these days offer account-locking or port-freezing features to block unauthorized transfers unless there is a manual ID check.

SIM swapping remains a serious and growing threat; but by combining these seven win-win strategies-Pin lock, secure second factor authorization, cautious behavior online, alternate methods of contacting, being careful, hardening account security and carrier safeguards-you greatly minimize this risk. Once again, these are actions where you take back control, barricading the quickest pathways for scamsters to take before they can even get there.

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News Source: PCmag.com