The Rising Threat of SIM Swap Fraud: How Scammers Steal Your Phone Number

How SIM Swap Fraud Works Fraudsters typically gather personal information about their target through phishing emails, social media, or data breaches. Armed with this information, they contact the victim's mobile network provider, posing as the victim, and request a SIM swap. Once the swap is complete, the fraudster gains control of the victim's phone number.¹

Impact on Victims Victims of SIM swap fraud can suffer significant financial losses. Fraudsters can access bank accounts, reset passwords, and bypass security measures that rely on SMS-based two-factor authentication. The emotional toll can also be severe, as victims deal with the aftermath of identity theft and financial fraud.¹

Insights from Action Fraud According to Action Fraud, organised crime groups often purchase personal details obtained through malware or data breaches. These details are then used to perform SIM swaps, allowing fraudsters to access victims' bank accounts and other sensitive information.²

Action Fraud advises the public to be cautious with personal information and to use strong, unique passwords for online accounts.²

Preventative Measures To protect yourself from SIM swap fraud, consider the following steps:

1. Use Strong Passwords: Ensure your online accounts have strong, unique passwords.
2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Use app-based authentication methods, such as Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, or Duo, instead of SMS-based ones. Also, passkeys, which are supported by Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Samsung, offer an additional layer of security as they are tied to a physical device rather than a phone number.
3. Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check your bank and online accounts for any suspicious activity.
4. Be Cautious with Personal Information: Avoid sharing personal information on social media, like mother's maiden name, pets names and first school, and be wary of phishing attempts.

Conclusion As SIM swap fraud continues to rise, it's crucial to stay informed and take proactive steps to protect your personal information and financial assets. By understanding how this fraud works and implementing preventative measures, you can reduce the risk of becoming a victim.

¹ Which? (2025). "SIM Swap Fraud Doubles Year-on-Year: How Scammers Steal Your Phone Number."  

² Action Fraud (2025). "Alert – how you can be scammed by a method called SIM Splitting."

To learn more about how to protect your business from cyber threats, contact your local cyber security experts, Paradise Computing on 01604 655900 or send us a message using our contact form.