Cell Phone Fraud
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`Cellular fraud is defined as the unauthorized use, tampering or manipulation of a cellular phone or
`service. Types of cellular fraud include SIM swapping, cloning and subscriber fraud.
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`What is SIM Swapping or a Port-Out Scam?
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`Your mobile phone number may be the key to your most important financial accounts. Text messages
`are often used by banks, businesses and payment services to verify your identity when you request
`updates to your account.
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`Mobile phone numbers can legally be ported from one provider to another when you switch your mobile
`phone service, and can also be ported from one mobile phone to another when you upgrade or change
`devices. But with enough of your personal information, scammers can have your number ported to a
`device they possess.
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`When scammers initiate a porting request, they con the victim’s mobile phone company into believing
`the request is from the authorized account holder. If the scam is successful, the phone number will be
`ported to a different mobile device controlled by the scammer.
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`Another way to perpetrate this scam is to physically steal the victim’s SIM card, a removable device in
`some mobile phones that carries a unique ID and stores the consumer’s personal data. The scammer
`can then use the stolen SIM card in their own mobile device.
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`In either case, the scammer can gain control over the victim's private texts and calls, and may then try
`to reset credentials for the victim's financial data and social media accounts. If successful, the scammer
`can drain the victim’s bank accounts and sell or ransom their social media data.
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`Learn more about this scam and how to protect yourself.
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`eSIM May Decrease SIM Swap Risk
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`Embedded SIM cards – eSIM cards for short – have replaced traditional SIM cards in newer cell phone
`models. The eSIM cards are much smaller and hardwired inside the phone, so they’re not removable,
`eliminating some of the security risk for physical SIM swaps. However, port-out scams remain a
`security concern.
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`Also, consumers should always wipe their eSIM data when they replace their phones. Learn more in
`our eSIM consumer FAQ.
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`What is cell phone or SIM cloning fraud?
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`Every cell phone should have a unique factory-set electronic serial number (ESN) and a mobile
`identification number (MIN). A cloned cell phone is one that has been reprogrammed to transmit the
`ESN and MIN belonging to another cell phone. Scammers can steal ESN/MIN combinations by illegally
`monitoring the radio wave transmissions from the cell phones of legitimate subscribers. After cloning,
`both the legitimate and the fraudulent cell phones have the same ESN/MIN combination and cellular
`providers cannot distinguish the cloned cell phone from the legitimate one. Scammers can then run up
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`Federal Communications Commission · Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau · 445 12th St. SW. Washington, DC 20554
`1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) · TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) · www.fcc.gov/consumer-governmental-affairs-bureau
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`expensive toll charges and the legitimate phone user gets billed for the cloned phone's calls. Alert your
`service provider if you see unauthorized calls or charges on your account.
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`What is subscriber fraud?
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`Subscriber fraud occurs when a scammer signs up for cellular service with fraudulently obtained
`customer information or false identification. Criminals can obtain your personal information and use it to
`set up a cell phone account in your name. It may take time to discover that subscriber fraud has
`occurred, and even more time to prove that you did not incur the debts. Millions of dollars are lost each
`year due to subscriber fraud.
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`If you think you have been a victim of subscriber fraud:
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`• Contact local law enforcement and file a police report. You can also file an identity theft report
`with the Federal Trade Commission.
`• Notify your current service provider as well as the service provider for the fraudulent account.
`• Place a fraud alert on any of the three major credit reporting bureaus -- Equifax, Experian or
`TransUnion. The one you notify will share the alert with the other two.
`• Continue to monitor your credit report at each credit bureau at least once a year. Consider
`checking a different credit bureau report every four months for free at annualcreditreport.com.
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`Consumer Help Center
`
`For more information on consumer issues, visit the FCC’s Consumer Help Center at
`www.fcc.gov/consumers.
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`Alternate formats
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`To request this article in an alternate format - braille, large print, Word or text document or audio - write
`or call us at the address or phone number at the bottom of the page, or send an email to
`fcc504@fcc.gov.
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`Last Reviewed 04/21/20
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`Federal Communications Commission · Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau · 445 12th St. SW. Washington, DC 20554
`1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) · TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) · www.fcc.gov/consumer-governmental-affairs-bureau
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