A woman named Jessica Miller from Brooklyn wants to warn others after she became a victim of a scary scam called SIM swap fraud. She hopes by sharing her story, people will be more careful and protect themselves from losing money or personal information.
What Is SIM Swap Scam?
SIM swap scam happens when a criminal tricks a phone company into giving them control of someone else’s phone number. They do this by pretending to be that person and asking the phone company to switch the phone number to a new SIM card that the scammer owns.
Once they have the phone number, they get all calls and texts meant for the victim, including special codes that protect bank accounts and emails. This helps the scammers steal money and private information.
Jessica’s Experience
Jessica told reporters that one day her phone suddenly stopped working. “I panicked because I thought my phone just broke,” she said.
But then she noticed she couldn’t log into her bank or email accounts. Messages said her passwords were changed. Jessica knew something bad was happening.
How the Scam Worked
The scammers had called Jessica’s phone company and pretended to be her. They convinced the company to switch her phone number to their SIM card. After that, they took control of her phone line.
With the phone number, the scammers quickly accessed Jessica’s online accounts and took money from her bank account. “I felt helpless,” Jessica said. “They stole thousands of dollars in just minutes.”
What Jessica Did Next
After she realized the scam, Jessica contacted her bank and phone company right away. She froze her accounts to stop the scammers and told the police what happened.
“It was very stressful, but I wanted to stop them,” she said. Jessica also told her friends and family to be careful with their phone and personal information.
How You Can Protect Yourself
Experts say SIM swap scams are becoming more common, but you can protect yourself. Here are some easy tips:
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Ask your phone company to add a password or PIN to your account.
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Don’t share personal information like your birthday or address with strangers.
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Use apps for two-step verification instead of text messages when possible.
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Check your bank and email accounts often for anything strange.
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If your phone suddenly stops working and you didn’t expect it, call your phone company right away.
A Warning to Everyone
Jessica wants people to learn from her story. “I panicked and lost money, but I hope others don’t have to go through this,” she said. “Please protect yourself before it’s too late.”
Experts agree. Mark Rivera, a cybersecurity expert, says, “Scammers can be very clever. It’s important to be careful and watch your phone and accounts closely.”
Jessica’s story reminds us that even small things like a phone number can be stolen, but by being careful, we can keep ourselves safe.
