What is one of the most valuable security assets you own? Your mobile phone number!
Your cell phone number is often connected to text-message verification codes for your bank, email, social-media accounts, and other important services. If a criminal can fraudulently move your number to their SIM or another carrier—a “SIM-swap” or unauthorized port-out—they may receive verification texts intended for you.
Take a few minutes today to lock down your mobile account.
The exact setting depends on your carrier:
AT&T: Turn on Wireless Account Lock in the myAT&T app or online account.
Verizon: Turn on Number Lock and SIM Protection in the My Verizon app or website.
T-Mobile: Enable Port Out Protection or Account Takeover Protection in the T-Mobile app or online account.
These protections can help prevent someone from moving your number to another carrier or making an unauthorized SIM-related change without first disabling the protection. They are an important layer of defense, but they do not replace strong account passwords and good security habits.
Also take a look at your bank and primary email account:
Use a unique, randomly generated password for every important account.
Aim for at least 16 characters when the service allows it.
Use an authenticator app, security key, or passkey instead of text-message codes whenever the service offers it.
Review and update old, reused, or possibly exposed passwords now.
Please share this with parents, grandparents, and anyone else who may not know that their phone number can be targeted. A few minutes of prevention can help avoid a major account-recovery headache.
