SIM swap
Also called SIM swapping, SIM-swap, port-out fraud
A scam where criminals get your mobile number moved to their SIM, so your calls and text codes go to them.
Your phone number has become a key to many accounts, because so many send login and recovery codes by text. A SIM swap steals that key. The criminal persuades your mobile provider, often with personal details gathered from leaks and social media, to move your number to a new SIM. Your phone goes quiet; theirs starts receiving your codes.
It's social engineering aimed at a call centre, and groups such as Scattered Spider combined it with calls to company help desks to take over accounts.
AI makes the persuasion easier: the personal details behind a convincing story are easy to gather, and cloned voices can now pass for real people on the phone. The best protection doesn't rely on anyone noticing: lock your number with your carrier, and use sign-ins that don't depend on text messages.
For example
Your phone suddenly shows "No service", and within the hour someone resets your email password with a code sent by text.
Put it to use
Where you'll meet SIM swap in ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude, how to use it there, and the mix-up most people make.
Daily Bytes Plus is in the Android app.