SIM swap scam explained | How scammers can take over your phone number

Toronto police say 10 people are facing charges in connection with a major SIM swap fraud that allowed suspects to gain access to the cell phone and bank accounts of unsuspecting victims.

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[Bigrips]

If they give out my number to the wrong person. The phone company is responsible

[FranF]

Facing 100+ charges. Wow, that solves everything. How about 100+ years of prison?

[dosdont]

Consequences will be insignificant and this will continue

[BC-lizc]

Make it a capital offence. Solves the repeat offender issue.

[zimtt]

How about putting some blame/accountability on the service providers. It is the providers that are allowing phone numbers to be switched over. How about some security on their end. When I call them, I certainly have to jump through all the security hoops to even talk about my account issues, where as they are allowing strangers to swap my number.
This happened to me, 4 years ago, yet nothing has changed.

[Meileehere]

Banks like Tangerine only have phone number as the recovery method.

[Beautylifestyle]

So what is the fallowing punishment for companies like bell and rogers

[MartianMoon]

"Just got a little harder" SIM Swapping has been around for like a decade

[CZD]

If any of the culprits are immigrants, they should be stripped of their citizenship or immigrant status. Citizenship should be given with a long probationary period.

[Doug-zlnb]

Government's new cousins are skilled workers.Keep bringing them in Mr. Government.You're doing a great job

[johncasey]

I had this happen to me 5 years ago. Back then they referred to it as an illegal port out. I went to my local Rogers to have it resolved and they acted as if this was like a Tuesday. It took almost a month to get fully resolved. I had to go right up to the executive level to get even part of my bill for the month refunded... even though it was their fault. They should not be so quick to port out a number without more scrutiny.

[peterpeter]

I'm poor and still use a Rotary phone .

[jayjjoshi]

we are paying all the money phone company still not able to protect

[IronHeel]

All the suspects have similar characteristics...

[prabhdeepdhahan]

I still don't understand what a SIM swap is.

[jnewman]

Could someone explain to me the advice the cyber-analyst gave? "Try to change your verification settings so that your passwords are not sent to your phone number". What does that mean?

[AndreInThe]

LOL, told these fools asking for phone number for verification was 100% idiotic.

[poptart]

Lol.. international students strike again ☠️

[bengurion]

Phone company is clearly at fault for not checking properly whose phone.

[JJs_playground]

Call your carrier and put a PIN on your SIM.