What is a mobile number porting scam?

A scammer can use your personal details to transport your mobile number from one provider to another. By doing this, scammers can get access to your personal details, such as your date of birth, phone number and address, via your social media profiles.

Scammers then use your mobile number to gain access to email accounts and bank account details. Once your number has been transported, you no longer have access to it which means that any verification codes being sent to you by your bank for large money transfers will be sent to a scammer instead.

This means they can authorise these transfers and steal money from you. This is very, very bad.

Tip: You can tell when your phone may have been ported as it says ‘SOS only’ where the signal bars usually appear.

How do scammers get your number and details in the first place?

There are several ways scammers and identity thieves can get hold of your personal information. These may include social media, subscriber fraud, having your phone stolen, text scams, recorded message scams, but most commonly –  and ALSO by not destroying your mobile phone properly when throwing it away.

 

How to prevent mobile number transporting

To reduce the risk of falling victim to mobile number transporting, always:

…use authorised apps

…destroy your phone properly

…be aware of unfamiliar callers

…check your security settings

…regularly update your phone system and,

…try to avoid using public Wi-Fi.

 

Mobile phone scams don’t only happen at home.

Back in 2013, Target was involved in a huge data breach where hackers stole credit card information from the retail giant. The hackers were able to intercept the payment process and steal precious information – through mobile devices.

If you feel you have become the victim of a mobile phone scam, it’s important to notify the phone provider and the official authorities. Even if it’s minor, there may be others that have fallen victim to the same scam. Your knowledge of the scam may help the officials find the scammers and prevent others from being scammed as well.

 

Data Destruction

The only real way to protect your own personal information, and your company’s data is to have the handsets, tablets and SIM cards completely destroyed.
ShredEasy is a specialist in data destruction and secure mobile phone shredding services, so call us to organise the most convenient arrangement for you.

 

Certificate of Mobile Phone Destruction

ShredEasy can collect your mobile phones from your business or home for secure destruction. We will issue a Certificate of Destruction, giving you and your customers’ proof that you have securely disposed of your data with a professional mobile shredding company.

Secure Mobile Phone Destruction

ShredEasy’s team of experts ensures that our practices meet all of the latest regulations and best practices when it comes to data destruction. We are currently working to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditations and are members of the National Association of Information Destruction.

Our staff members are thoroughly background checked and our vehicles are constantly tracked. This means that you can have confidence that any data we destroy is handled appropriately throughout the entire process.

If you want to find out more, get in touch.