Stop SIM Swapping: Protect Your Phone Number

QUICK TIP

Set a carrier account PIN, then turn on your carrier's SIM lock. Those two steps stop most unauthorized transfers of your phone number.

What is SIM Swapping?

SIM swapping is a dangerous attack where criminals convince your mobile carrier to transfer your phone number to a new SIM card they control. Once successful, they can:

Intercept your two-factor authentication codes
Reset passwords for your accounts
Access your banking and financial services
Impersonate you to friends and family

Essential Protection Steps

Add a PIN to your carrier account
Don't use SMS for two-factor authentication when possible
Use authentication apps instead of text messages
Be cautious of unexpected calls claiming to be from your carrier

Carrier PIN How-To

Links last_verified 2026-08-20. A carrier PIN is not your voicemail PIN and not your online-account password — it is what the carrier uses to verify you for account changes, including SIM swaps and number ports.

Set this PIN first. Support reps and porting systems will ask for it. Your carrier will not call you and ask you to read it back — hang up if someone does.

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Continue for the carrier-by-carrier PIN steps for Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

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Written by Daniel Oakley — 20+ years in cybersecurity, father of four.

Stop SIM Swapping Attacks

What is SIM Swapping?

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