It’s shockingly easy for hackers to steal your mobile number
Cyber criminals are using a surprisingly simple trick to steal unsuspecting people’s mobile phone numbers.
As most important personal accounts rely on a two-factor authentication, where you receive a text message of a code to log into accounts, fraudsters are increasingly looking to pinch people’s mobile numbers. They then move the mobile number to a different carrier and use the stolen information to gain access to the victim’s other personal information, such as bank accounts.
It’s shockingly easy to do. In most instances, all the hacker needs are your mobile provider account number and your date of birth.
Sydney woman Deborah Brodie, 37, was a victim of this scam. On the Friday before the Queen’s birthday long weekend she received a text message from Optus confirming her number would be moved to Vodafone. However, she had not requested this change but just minutes later she received another text confirming the change had been successful. Shortly after her phone switched to SOS mode.
Ms Brodie’s bank account was hacked with someone using her credit card to go on a spending spree.
“It was really violating, it leaves you feeling really exposed,” Ms Brodie told news.com.au. “It was done in such a calculated manner.”
Despite being an Optus customer for years, the telco didn’t seek personal verification of the mobile porting from Ms Brodie. There seemingly is little in place to stop this fraudulent change of mobile providers.
For now, Ms Brodie has her number back but the matter is still being investigated.
“This is a new scam that’s happening more and more,” Ms Brodie said. “Is it the phone companies that have to better? I think it is.”
Judging by social media comments, the fraudulent practise is becoming increasingly common.