Current Events > Just got a text from T-Mobile about an "industry wide phone number port out

(+) Yeah! (+)

scam"

Whaaaat.

Also I wonder if this is why I've seen an uptick in calls from phone numbers with the same area code and first three digits as me...

edit: Nevermind this sounds even scarier than that...

Fraudsters are attempting to compromise personal bank accounts by taking over and transferring phone numbers from one wireless provider to another. Its a scheme that is affecting the entire wireless industry.
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Is this why I keep getting calls from random places in the US despite living in Canada
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I read this topic and got the same text message.
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Johnny_Nutcase posted...

I read this topic and got the same text message.

When you call
And they ask for your account security code
And you tell them you don't remember it, and they ask you to set one up... That's the port protection verification thing code.

I thought it was a separate thing since it says on the website that it's NOT your account PIN >_>.
Thankfully the lady was cool and just laughed and changed it for me again.
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They should require your SIM to be able to port your number. I don't think they can literally just call a support hotline and port your number out.
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Tyranthraxus posted...

They should require your SIM to be able to port your number. I don't think they can literally just call a support hotline and port your number out.

https://www.howtogeek.com/342988/what-is-a-phone-port-out-scam-and-how-can-i-protect-myself/

idk
I guess it's been a potential risk for a while now but it's getting bad enough at least a few companies thought it worthwhile to warn their customers.
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if your bank has 2FA make sure you do that asap
and do it for gmail too

that way even if your phone gets ported there's a much lower chance they can do anything since SMS won't work
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Yeah I definitely did 2FA for Google and Amazon and basically anything else that supports it.
I would thumbs up your post if that were an option here...
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Tyranthraxus posted...

They should require your SIM to be able to port your number. I don't think they can literally just call a support hotline and port your number out.

They can, but the T-Mobile employees we spoke to were lying pieces of shit that said they were deactivating my number so AT&T could activate it on my new phone, but because they were lying pieces of shit they neglected to do so, even after several calls. We had to have a 4 way call between me, AT&T, T-Mobile, and my dad (T-Mobile phone plan was in his name) before they actually deactivated it.

That bullshit, in addition to the absolutely abysmal reception when I had them, is why I will never sign up for T-Mobile again. At least until both AT&T and Verizon each burn me far worse, a couple times each.
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DarkChozoGhost posted...

They can, but the T-Mobile employees we spoke to were lying pieces of shit that said they were deactivating my number so AT&T could activate it on my new phone, but because they were lying pieces of shit they neglected to do so, even after several calls. We had to have a 4 way call between me, AT&T, T-Mobile, and my dad (T-Mobile phone plan was in his name) before they actually deactivated it.

Eh? Don't do that. Literally every modern carrier will do it for you. Like, go to AT&T and tell them you want to switch out from T-Mobile and AT&T will get on the phone with T-Mobile and make them switch it for you so that you don't have to deal with them.
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Damn I didn't get this text from them >_>
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Tyranthraxus posted...

DarkChozoGhost posted...

They can, but the T-Mobile employees we spoke to were lying pieces of shit that said they were deactivating my number so AT&T could activate it on my new phone, but because they were lying pieces of shit they neglected to do so, even after several calls. We had to have a 4 way call between me, AT&T, T-Mobile, and my dad (T-Mobile phone plan was in his name) before they actually deactivated it.

Eh? Don't do that. Literally every modern carrier will do it for you. Like, go to AT&T and tell them you want to switch out from T-Mobile and AT&T will get on the phone with T-Mobile and make them switch it for you so that you don't have to deal with them.

The t mobile account was not in my name.
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Yeah its been plaguing T Mobile the most because their basic port out PIN was the last 4 of your social. Meant all people needed was your bank login, number, and social (which are likely out there with the Experian leak) and they would be able to do it. Port out the number to their throwaway, forget your password on your bank login, get the SMS code, and Zelle all your money away.

Takes like 2 min once you get a rep to do.

People on the TMo sub were losing like tens of thousands in the scams so definitely get it set up.
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sktgamer_13dude posted...

Yeah its been plaguing T Mobile the most because their basic port out PIN was the last 4 of your social. Meant all people needed was your bank login, number, and social (which are likely out there with the Experian leak) and they would be able to do it.

Takes like 2 min once you get a rep to do.

People on the TMo sub were losing like tens of thousands in the scams so definitely get it set up.

Yeah my shit's out there like a dozen times because thanks OPM :\

Were no other carriers hit by this though?
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Hexenherz posted...

Yeah I definitely did 2FA for Google and Amazon and basically anything else that supports it.
I would thumbs up your post if that were an option here...

For the 2 factor authentication there are ways to do it without giving a phone number? Cause once someone has control over your number you're basically fucked

Oakland510_ posted...

For the 2 factor authentication there are ways to do it without giving a phone number?

use an app like authy or google authenticator
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Working in the telecommunication industry we deal with so much fraud its ridiculous. A coworker had someone come in recently with a drivers license, account pin #, Apple ID info and everything. Upgraded some random ladies iPhone 6 to an iPhone X. Turned out to be fraud and hes now on the hook for the $1150 that it cost.
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Hexenherz posted...

sktgamer_13dude posted...

Yeah its been plaguing T Mobile the most because their basic port out PIN was the last 4 of your social. Meant all people needed was your bank login, number, and social (which are likely out there with the Experian leak) and they would be able to do it.

Takes like 2 min once you get a rep to do.

People on the TMo sub were losing like tens of thousands in the scams so definitely get it set up.

Yeah my shit's out there like a dozen times because thanks OPM :\

Were no other carriers hit by this though?

Others were, but TMo was hit worse because of their basic port out PIN. Unless you asked for a change (hint; no one did), it was just the last 4 of your social. Which was super easy to get with all of the leaks.

Its why TMo had to send out these texts. They also sent them in waves. Like I got this text like 2 weeks ago. Didnt do it until this weekend tho since I was busy, knew I was gonna go to a TMo store (they cant change it in store unfortunately), and I had like no money in my account. Its a pretty quick call though. Took 3 minutes including talking to the stupid bot to get a rep.
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I finally got the text.
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