Security News > 2020 > January > Senators Prod FCC to Act on SIM Swapping

Now, a cadre of lawmakers is demanding to know what the agency might be doing to track and combat SIM swapping.

The lawmakers asked the FCC to divulge whether it tracks consumer complaints about fraudulent SIM swapping and number "Port-outs," which involve moving the victim's phone number to another carrier.

"Some carriers, both in the U.S. and abroad, have adopted policies that better protect consumers from SIM swaps, such as allowing customers to add optional security protections to their account that prevent SIM swaps unless the customer visits a store and shows ID," the letter continues.

SIM SWAPINNOVATIONS. Legitimate SIM swaps are a common request for all carriers, and they usually happen when a customer has lost their mobile phone or when they need to upgrade to a newer model that requires a different-sized SIM card.

What's more, the security options available to wireless customers concerned about SIM swapping - such as personal identification number codes - are largely ineffective against crooked or clueless mobile phone store employees.

News URL

https://krebsonsecurity.com/2020/01/senators-prod-fcc-to-act-on-sim-swapping/