SIM Swap Scams on SMS / Text
Scam texts impersonate carriers to phish account details, while a sudden loss of signal can be the first sign a SIM swap has hijacked your number.
Part of: SIM Swap Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
SMS sits at the centre of SIM swap fraud in two ways: scam texts gather the details needed to hijack a number, and the loss of texts is often the first symptom that a swap has happened. A message posing as your carrier, asking you to verify or upgrade via a link, is a common opening move.
Genuine carriers manage account security within their official app and account, not through unsolicited text links. SMS suits scammers because sender IDs can be spoofed to look like a carrier and a tappable link leads to a page that captures the PINs and personal data that protect your number.
How this scam works on SMS / text
The text, styled as your carrier, asks you to verify your account, update billing, or confirm identity via a link, often citing security. The sender ID may be faked to resemble the carrier.
The link opens a cloned carrier page that harvests your account PIN, personal details, and credentials, which the scammer uses to request a SIM swap. Once the number is ported, your texts — including authentication codes — go to the scammer.
A telltale sign is your phone losing signal unexpectedly while the scammer activates the new SIM, after which they can reset your linked accounts.
Common red flags
- A text posing as your carrier asks you to verify your account via a link
- The page requests your account PIN, date of birth, or security answers
- The sender ID is spoofed to look like your carrier
- You are pressured to verify quickly for 'security'
- Your phone suddenly loses signal for no clear reason
- You stop receiving expected calls and texts
How to protect yourself
- Do not tap links in carrier verification texts
- Access your carrier account by typing the official address or using its app
- Set a strong account PIN or port-out lock with your carrier
- Use an authenticator app rather than SMS for two-factor where possible
- Treat a sudden, unexplained loss of signal as a possible SIM swap
- Contact your carrier immediately if you suspect your number was ported
How to report it
- Forward the text to your national smishing or spam reporting number where available
- Contact your mobile carrier's official fraud line if you suspect a swap
- File a report with your local fraud or cybercrime reporting service
Frequently asked questions
My phone suddenly lost signal — could it be a SIM swap?
It can be. If your phone loses service unexpectedly and you stop receiving calls and texts, your number may have been ported to another SIM. Contact your carrier's fraud line immediately using another phone.