Your Mobile Number Is a Target for Identity Theft

Jeannie Mark — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 13:00:00 +0000

Identity theft takes many different forms. While most people are conscious about protecting personal information such as their social security numbers, banking information and passwords to various accounts, one often overlooked item is their mobile phone number.

How Hackers Steal Your Phone Number
Hackers can hijack your mobile phone number in the same way they can take over your email account. Known as porting, cybercriminals use stolen personal information to impersonate you and contact your mobile carrier to make changes to your account. The term porting comes from Wireless Local Number Portability (WLNP), a law dating back to 2003 that requires carriers to allow mobile users to move their existing number to a new carrier.

To help prevent this from happening, use the Identity Theft Reports feature to track multiple logins and ensure none of your data is breached:

What is Porting?
Porting is dependent on social engineering, or the use of deception to manipulate someone into divulging personal information to commit fraud. In this case, the hacker gains access to personal information to convince your wireless carrier they are you to get your mobile number moved to another service without your knowledge. In order to accomplish this, the hacker needs security information such as your social security number, date of birth and other personal data that is generally obtained through phishing attacks.

The Impact of a Stolen Number
Once hackers port your phone number, they can change passwords and security questions on your account, add unauthorized charges to your bill such as long distance calls, text charges and data usage fees and even add additional devices and services. Additionally, they can bypass two-factor identification such as verification codes texted to you for security purposes.

There are several ways you can protect yourself and prevent thieves from porting your number.

ONE, keep your number safe is to use an alternate Virtual Phone Number (also called a VOIP). These services are readily available and you can keep your real number private and set up the service to forward calls and texts to your phone.

TWO, regularly check your monthly statement for suspicious charges and activity. If your service is abruptly disconnected or you begin receiving authentication codes you didn’t request, you should contact your service provider immediately.

THIRD, dfndr security also protects your phone from phishing attacks. Features like Anti-hacking can alert you to potential malware links in texts, messengers apps, and emails.

FOURTH, never give out sensitive information from anyone that contacts you directly claiming to be a representative from a company you do business with. Instead, find out what they are calling about, what information they need and why, and then contact the business at a published number to verify the problem.

Scams: What to Look For and How to Stay Protected

PSafe Newsroom — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 21:11:48 +0000

There are a lot of scams out there, but lately they’ve been going from the real world to the digital. Did you know some scammers specifically target Android phones? Stay ahead of the curve, and keep an eye out for the following:

Facebook Cloning Scam

You’re on Facebook, playing basketball on the Messenger, sharing status updates, and liking everything in sight. Sounds nice, right? But, some scam artists are using Facebook to obtain your personal information. If you receive an invite to connect with a family member, or friend you thought you were already connected to, be wary. There are scammers out there who’ll use the profile image, and basic information from a connection’s page to create a convincing copy. Then, they’ll reach out to you with a sob story about how they need money wired to them. Don’t fall for it. Instead, make sure you call, and speak with the person behind the profile to make sure it really is your sister asking for help, and not a scammer!

You’ve Won!

It feels good to win, doesn’t it? That’s the positive feeling scammers are banking on when they send you a text message telling you that you’ve won a prize. For some, the idea of a freebie is too good to pass up. Sometimes, these scammers even offer a trial period for “free” software (most likely malware), while others request money to increase your odds of winning a mega huge prize. It’s illegal to ask for cash in order to win a prize. Practice smartphone safety. Delete these bogus messages, and move on.

Phishing Scams

What do you do when your bank sends you a text saying your account has been compromised? Absolutely nothing, because that isn’t how banks work. Yet, that’s exactly what a con artist would have you believe. These scammers won’t start off by asking for your personal information. They will wait until they lull you into a false sense of security, and link you to a form where you can enter in your bank account information, and PIN number. Bad move. They make off with your cash, and you end up in the red. Protect your data. Call up your bank directly to avoid any confusion.

Stay Alert and Avoid the Scammers

Shady scammers are out there, and every day they find new ways to trick people into revealing their personal information. In the chance you let one of these scammers slip through the cracks, keep your Android protected with PSafe TOTAL. Through its antivirus protection, your smartphone will be in better hands.

digital scams – PSafe Blog

Your Mobile Number Is a Target for Identity Theft

Scams: What to Look For and How to Stay Protected