How to Recover from a SIM Swap Attack

If your phone unexpectedly loses service while others on the same network are unaffected, this could indicate that your SIM has been deactivated.

If your mobile provider confirms there’s no outage, but you can’t make calls or send texts, your SIM may have been hijacked.

If you receive unexpected login alerts, password reset requests, or unauthorized transactions, your accounts may be compromised due to SIM swap fraud.

Call your mobile provider from another device and inform them that your SIM card was swapped without your authorization. Request them to suspend your phone number and restore access to your legitimate SIM.

Change passwords for important accounts, including banking, email, and social media. Remove your compromised phone number from authentication settings and add a new, secure recovery method.

If the hacker accessed your bank accounts or made fraudulent transactions, contact your financial institutions immediately to report and reverse any unauthorized charges.

A SIM swap attack is a form of identity theft. Report the incident to the police and, if applicable, fraud prevention agencies.

Instead of relying on SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA), use an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Authy for extra security.

Most mobile carriers allow you to add an account PIN or security question to prevent unauthorized SIM swaps.

Regularly check your email, banking, and social media accounts for any suspicious login attempts or changes in security settings.

Cybercriminals gather personal details from social media to impersonate victims. Be cautious about what you share online.

A SIM swap attack can compromise your most sensitive accounts, but swift action can minimize the damage. By securing your mobile number, strengthening account protections, and staying vigilant, you can reduce the risk of future attacks. Take proactive steps today to keep your personal and financial information safe.