SIM Swapping occurs when fraudsters convince your wireless carrier to switch your phone number to a new SIM card in their possession. This gives them control over your calls, texts, and accounts tied to your phone number.

Here's how SIM swapping works:

• Convince the carrier
  The criminal convinces the owner's phone carrier to transfer their phone number to the criminal's SIM card. 

• Access accounts
  The criminal uses the phone number to access the owner's accounts, such as their bank account, social media, or emails. They can do this by using two-factor authentication (2FA) codes sent to the phone number, or by resetting passwords. 

• Gather information
  The criminal uses social engineering or other methods to obtain the owner's personal information, such as their phone number, birthday, and answers to security questions. 

To protect against SIM swapping, you can: 

• Use strong and unique passwords

• Enable 2FA

• Use a password manager

• Be suspicious of unsolicited texts, emails, and calls

• Forward suspicious texts to S-P-A-M (7726)

• Set up a PIN or password with your phone provider

• Monitor your accounts for strange transactions or activities

• Set up biometrics