Scam Questions & Answers
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Someone is messaging me pretending to be my deceased loved one on a dating or messaging app. What is this?
This is a disturbing but real scam pattern where a fraudster takes over or recreates a deceased person's online profile and continues conversations to exploit the emotional confusion and grief of contacts, often leading toward a request for money.
A website claims it can find unclaimed life insurance money owed to my deceased relative for a fee. Is it worth using?
Be cautious: legitimate unclaimed life insurance searches can often be done for free through official state or national unclaimed property registries, so paying a private company a large upfront fee for the same search is usually unnecessary and sometimes outright fraudulent.
A caller is asking for my deceased relative's full details to 'process a death benefit.' How much should I share?
Be cautious about sharing sensitive identifiers over an unsolicited phone call; genuine government agencies and pension providers typically already have the deceased's records on file and communicate death benefit processes through written correspondence or verified official channels, not cold calls demanding full personal details.
An estate sale buyer paid with a check that bounced after taking valuable items. What can I do?
This is a form of estate sale fraud where a buyer deliberately pays with a bad check, an overpayment scam, or a fraudulent payment method to walk away with valuable items before the payment fails, and recovery options depend on acting quickly and involving law enforcement.
I received unexpected inheritance funds but was asked to forward part of it to someone else first. Why?
This is almost certainly a money mule or overpayment scam: the 'inheritance' funds are typically stolen or fraudulent, and once you forward part of the money elsewhere, you may be left responsible for repaying the original amount when the fraud is discovered.
A company is asking me to upload the death certificate to an unfamiliar website to 'verify' a claim. Is this safe?
Be very cautious: a death certificate contains sensitive personal information that can enable identity theft, so only upload it to verified, official portals belonging to institutions you've independently confirmed are handling a genuine claim.
I received a bill from a hospice or care facility for services after my relative already passed away. Is this fraud?
It could be a billing error, but it could also be deliberate fraud; either way, request an itemized statement and verify each charge's date against the actual date of death before paying anything.
I got a link to watch a funeral livestream but it's asking for payment or personal details first. Is this legitimate?
Be cautious: while some funeral homes do charge a modest fee for livestream access through their own verified platform, scammers also create fake livestream links shared on social media to harvest payment details or personal information from grieving friends and family.
I received a sympathy card in the mail that includes a request for money or a suspicious link. What is this?
This is an unusual but real scam variant where a physical sympathy card is used to build emotional trust before pivoting to a request for money, a suspicious QR code, or a link, and it should be treated with the same skepticism as any other unsolicited financial request.
A utility company says my deceased parent has an outstanding bill I need to pay immediately or service will be cut off. Is this real?
Genuine utility providers do have legitimate final bill processes, but scammers frequently impersonate them using threats of immediate disconnection to pressure grieving family members, so always verify independently before paying.
Someone claiming to administer a trust fund set up by my late relative wants my bank details to release funds. Should I comply?
No, do not provide bank details based solely on an unsolicited contact; verify the trust's existence and the administrator's identity independently through a solicitor or the actual named trustee before sharing any financial information.
Someone I met online claims to be recently widowed and needs help with funeral or estate costs. Could this be a romance scam?
Yes, claiming recent widowhood is a very common tactic in romance scams specifically designed to generate sympathy and justify urgent requests for money, especially if the relationship developed quickly online and you've never met in person.
I'm told I must pay 'inheritance tax' myself before the funds can be released to me. Is this how inheritance tax actually works?
In most jurisdictions, inheritance or estate tax is calculated and paid from the estate's own assets by the executor before distribution, not collected as a separate upfront payment demanded from individual beneficiaries before they receive their share.
What's the safest way to close my deceased relative's bank and financial accounts without falling for a scam?
Contact each institution directly using their official verified phone number or website, provide a certified death certificate through their official process, and never rely on a third party contacting you claiming to help 'close accounts' for a fee.
A memorial fundraiser for someone who died is circulating on social media, but I can't verify it's genuine. What should I check?
Verify that the fundraiser is genuinely organized or endorsed by the deceased's immediate family before donating, since scammers commonly create fake memorial fundraisers using real photos and details scraped from social media or news coverage of a death.
A solicitor I've never dealt with called claiming they hold my late relative's will and need payment to release it. Is this normal?
This is unusual and worth verifying carefully: if your relative genuinely used a solicitor, the family typically already knows or can find out through the deceased's paperwork, and a legitimate firm would not demand payment simply to disclose the existence or contents of a will.
How do scammers find out about a death so quickly, sometimes within days?
Scammers monitor public sources like published obituaries, funeral home websites, newspaper death notices, and sometimes social media tribute posts, often using automated tools that scan these sources continuously, allowing them to identify and target newly bereaved families within days of a death being publicly reported.
I'm told a lawsuit over my relative's estate has settled in my favor but I must pay legal fees first to get my share. Is this legitimate?
Genuine legal settlements typically deduct attorney fees directly from the settlement amount before disbursing the remainder to you, so being asked to pay fees separately and upfront before receiving your share is a strong sign of fraud.
I got a text saying my benefits are suspended until I confirm my details - is this real?
Almost certainly a scam. Government benefits agencies do not suspend payments via text message with a link to 'confirm' your bank details or ID.
Someone called claiming to be from the Social Security Administration threatening to suspend my number - what should I do?
Hang up. Government agencies never suspend Social Security or National Insurance numbers, and they never threaten arrest over the phone.
I got an email saying I qualify for a government grant I never applied for - is it legitimate?
Unsolicited emails announcing you've been awarded a government grant you never applied for are almost always scams designed to collect an upfront fee or personal data.
I applied for unemployment benefits and now someone is asking for a fee to 'release' my payment - is this normal?
No. Unemployment or jobseeker benefit agencies never charge a fee to release a payment you're entitled to - this is a scam layered onto a real application process.
Someone offered to help me get more benefits or backdated payments in exchange for a cut - is this a scam?
Yes, this is typically a benefits fraud scheme that can leave you facing repayment demands, fraud investigations, or prosecution, even though someone else devised it.
I received a letter demanding repayment of overpaid benefits, but I don't remember getting extra money - is this fake?
It could be a genuine overpayment notice or a scam impersonating one - never pay or provide bank details from the letter alone; verify through your official benefits account first.
A Facebook ad promises guaranteed approval for disability benefits if I use their service - is this trustworthy?
Be very skeptical - no one can 'guarantee' approval for a disability or health-related benefit, since eligibility is decided by the agency's own medical and financial assessment.
Someone claiming to be from the benefits office asked me to install remote access software to fix an account error - should I do it?
No. Never install remote access software at the request of an unsolicited caller claiming to be from a government benefits agency - this is a well-known scam to take control of your device and drain your bank accounts.
A website asks for my Social Security number just to 'check my eligibility' for a stimulus payment - is that safe?
No - legitimate eligibility checks for government stimulus or relief payments do not require you to submit your full Social Security number on an unofficial third-party website.
A 'job agency' wants me to let them manage my benefits account log-in while I look for work - is that okay?
No - never hand over your benefits account username and password to any third party, including a job agency, even one working alongside a genuine welfare-to-work program.
I got a voicemail saying I'm under investigation for benefits fraud and must call back immediately - is this real?
Treat it as a likely scam - genuine fraud investigations are conducted through formal written correspondence and scheduled interviews, not urgent voicemail threats demanding an immediate callback.
An app charges a monthly subscription and promises to 'maximize' my government benefits automatically - worth it?
Be cautious - legitimate benefits calculators and entitlement checks are typically free through government or accredited charity services; a paid subscription app claiming automatic maximization adds risk with little proven benefit.
I got a text that my food assistance card (SNAP/EBT-style) was suspended and I need to click a link to reactivate it - is this a scam?
Yes, this is a very common phishing scam targeting food assistance recipients - the agency will not text you a link to 'reactivate' your card.
An email asks me to 'verify' my child benefit payment details or my payments will stop - what should I check?
Check the sender's actual email address and the link destination before doing anything - this is a common phishing template used against parents receiving child-related benefits.
Someone offered to get my state pension backdated for a large lump sum, for an upfront fee - is this legitimate?
Be very cautious - genuine pension backdating and underpayment corrections are handled directly by the pension agency at no cost, and anyone charging an upfront fee to 'unlock' a lump sum should be independently verified before you pay anything.
My landlord wants me to sign a tenancy agreement showing higher rent than I actually pay so I get more housing benefit - is that risky?
Yes, this is benefits fraud - you are legally responsible for the accuracy of your claim, and both you and the landlord could face repayment demands, penalties, or prosecution if discovered.
A cold caller offered a 'free benefits entitlement review' and now wants my bank details to set up a direct debit - what's going on?
This is likely a fee-charging scheme disguised as a free service - the 'free review' is often a hook to sign you up for an ongoing paid subscription or to harvest your banking details.
Someone posing as my benefits caseworker wants a video call where I show my ID and bank card - is this normal procedure?
This is not standard procedure and is very likely an identity theft attempt - legitimate caseworkers do not need you to hold up your bank card on camera.
A social media post says I've 'won' a cost-of-living support payment and just need to click to claim it - what's the catch?
There's no catch to find because there's no prize - genuine cost-of-living or energy support payments are not distributed through social media 'claim now' posts or competitions.
My elderly parent keeps getting calls about 'unclaimed pension credit' - how do I help them tell if it's real?
Help them avoid discussing or confirming personal details on unsolicited calls, and instead check pension credit or similar top-up entitlement directly through the official government website or a trusted advisor together.
I got a text about a tax refund connected to a benefits overpayment correction - is this linked scam real?
Treat any unsolicited text linking a tax refund to a benefits correction as a scam - these are typically combined phishing attempts designed to seem extra credible by referencing two systems at once.
Someone offered me money to let them use my benefits card or account to move funds through - is this dangerous?
Yes, this is a form of money muling using a benefits account, and it can expose you to fraud charges, loss of your own benefits, and account closure, even though someone else is directing the scheme.
I got a WhatsApp message claiming to be from the benefits office asking me to update my details there - is this legitimate?
No - government benefits agencies do not conduct official account verification or updates through WhatsApp or other consumer messaging apps.
Someone told me I could avoid a benefits fraud charge by paying a settlement in gift cards - should I do this?
Never pay any government fine, settlement, or fraud charge using gift cards - no legitimate government agency accepts gift cards as payment, and this request alone confirms it's a scam.
A caller claiming to fundraise for a disability charity is asking about my benefits and asking me to donate part of my payment - normal?
No - legitimate charity fundraisers do not need details of your personal benefits claim, and a request to donate directly from your benefit payment is a major red flag.
A letter looks exactly like it's from the benefits agency but the return address is a PO box in a different city - should I worry?
Yes, check carefully - a mismatched return address, especially an unrelated PO box, is a common sign of a scam letter designed to imitate official government correspondence.
A caller says I need to pay a small fee to 'activate' direct deposit for my benefits payments - is this legitimate?
No - setting up direct deposit for government benefits is free, and any request for payment to 'activate' it is a scam.
Someone claiming to be from benefits support asked me to read them a code that was just texted to my phone - is this safe?
No - never read out a verification code to anyone who calls you, since this is almost always an attempt to break into your account, not a legitimate verification step.
A 'training program' ad says I'll get paid while claiming benefits at the same time - is that a genuine offer?
Approach with caution - some legitimate training-while-claiming schemes exist through official employment programs, but ads promising undisclosed extra income alongside benefits without informing the agency are usually fraud schemes that put your claim at risk.
I got a text saying to click a link to 'confirm' a bank account change on my benefits that I never made - what does this mean?
This could indicate either a phishing attempt using a fake alert to get you to click, or in rarer cases a genuine warning that someone actually tried to change your bank details fraudulently - verify directly through your official account either way.
I'm told my new benefits payment card is stuck in customs and I need to pay a fee to release it - is this real?
No - domestic government benefit payment cards do not go through customs, and any request to pay a fee to 'release' one is a scam.
Is a 'seed faith' offering where a preacher promises money back multiplied a scam?
Any promise that donating a specific amount of money to a ministry will cause God to return it to you multiplied is a fundraising technique with no accountability, and versions of it are routinely used to extract money from people in financial distress.
Why is someone claiming to be my pastor texting me asking me to buy gift cards?
This is almost certainly an impersonation scam, not your actual pastor; real clergy do not ask congregants to buy gift cards by text and read out the codes.
A faith healer wants payment upfront for a guaranteed miracle cure. Is this a scam?
Yes, charging a fixed fee in advance for a guaranteed supernatural cure is a red flag of exploitation, especially when the healer discourages ongoing medical treatment.
What is affinity fraud, and how does it happen inside a church or religious community?
Affinity fraud is an investment scam run by someone who shares your faith, ethnicity, or community identity to build trust quickly, then uses that trust to sell a fake or unregistered investment to members of the same group.
How do I check if a charity claiming to help persecuted Christians overseas is legitimate?
Search for the charity's official registration number with your country's charity regulator and look for independently audited financial statements before donating, since fake versions of well-known persecuted-faith charities are common in online ads and social media appeals.
How can I avoid a fake Hajj or Umrah travel package scam?
Only book Hajj or Umrah packages through operators officially licensed by the relevant religious affairs authority, and be wary of deals priced well below the market rate advertised through social media or unsolicited messages.
A new religious group showered me with attention and now wants money and my time. Is this a cult tactic?
Intense early affection followed by escalating demands for money, time, and cutting off outside relationships is a well-documented recruitment and control pattern used by high-control groups, commonly called love bombing.
A ministry is selling 'anointed' prayer oil, cloths, or water for a high price. Is this a scam?
Selling ordinary objects at a large markup by attaching a spiritual claim of special power is a manipulative sales tactic, not a legitimate religious practice, especially when the object is described as necessary for healing, protection, or financial breakthrough.
My church has an informal investment club promising 'blessed' high returns. What should I check first?
Check whether the investment and whoever is running it are registered with your country's securities regulator, since informal investment clubs run through churches are a common vehicle for Ponzi schemes regardless of how they are described spiritually.
A website asks for detailed personal and financial information along with my prayer request. Is that normal?
No, a legitimate prayer request only needs the concern itself; requests for detailed financial information, account numbers, or payment tied to having your prayer 'prioritized' are a data harvesting or payment scam.
I matched with someone on a faith-based dating app who shares all my beliefs perfectly. Could this be a romance scam?
Yes, romance scammers frequently target faith-based dating apps precisely because shared religious identity builds trust quickly, so a profile that mirrors your beliefs unusually closely deserves the same scrutiny as any other online match.
How do I know if a church giving or tithing app is a real link to my church or a cloned scam site?
Only give through a link or app confirmed directly by your church's official staff or printed materials, since cloned giving pages that closely copy a real church's branding are increasingly used to redirect donations to a scammer's account.
Someone claiming to be a missionary I know is stranded abroad and needs a wire transfer urgently. What should I do?
Treat this as a likely account takeover or impersonation scam and verify independently by contacting the missionary or their sending organization through previously known contact details before sending any money.
A fellow member of my small group keeps pitching a business opportunity as a way to 'bless our family finances.' Is this an MLM scam?
Framing a multi-level marketing pitch as a faith-aligned way to bless your family's finances is a common recruitment tactic, and it deserves the same scrutiny as any other MLM opportunity regardless of the spiritual language used.
How do I verify a mission trip crowdfunding campaign is real before I donate?
Confirm the campaign is linked to an established sending organization or church that you can independently verify, since fake mission trip crowdfunding pages copying real photos and stories are used to collect donations that never fund any actual trip.
A television evangelist is running an urgent appeal to 'sow' money before a deadline. What should I know before responding?
Urgent, deadline-driven appeals to send money for a spiritual benefit are a fundraising pressure tactic designed to bypass careful consideration, and the appearance of a deadline for a spiritual blessing has no basis in most religious teaching.
I found a rare religious relic or artifact for sale online with a story about its origin. How do I avoid a fake?
Treat online sales of supposed religious relics or ancient artifacts with strong skepticism, since the market is heavily populated with fabricated items and fabricated provenance stories, and legitimate antiquities require documented, verifiable provenance and often export licensing.
I received an email claiming a dying stranger wants to leave their fortune to charity through me because of my faith. Is this a scam?
Yes, this is a well-known variation of the advance-fee inheritance scam, adapted with religious framing to make the story feel more credible and to appeal to the recipient's charitable instincts.
I was offered a paid 'papal blessing' certificate for a special occasion. Is that legitimate or a scam?
Genuine papal blessing certificates can be requested through official Vatican channels, usually at a modest or no cost, so a third-party seller charging a large fee, especially with urgency or vague sourcing, should be verified carefully before paying.
An investment is marketed as fully halal or kosher with guaranteed returns. Is that a red flag?
Yes, a guaranteed return is inconsistent with genuine profit-and-loss-sharing principles used in real faith-compliant finance, so an investment labeled halal or kosher while promising a fixed guaranteed return should be treated as a likely fraud regardless of its religious certification claims.
A group I joined now requires members to hand over their wages or paychecks to the leadership. Is this normal or a warning sign?
Requiring members to surrender their income or paychecks to group leadership is a strong indicator of a high-control group exerting financial control over members, and it is not a normal practice in mainstream religious communities.
A deliverance or exorcism ministry is charging escalating fees for multiple sessions. Is this legitimate?
Charging significant, escalating fees for repeated deliverance or exorcism sessions, especially without a clear endpoint, is a common pattern used to extract ongoing payments from vulnerable people and is not how established religious institutions typically handle these requests.
A respected church elder is asking members to lend him money personally, promising to repay with interest. Is this risky?
Personal loans from individual members to a respected leader, especially informal ones promising interest with no written agreement, carry real risk and should be treated with the same caution as lending to any acquaintance, regardless of their standing in the community.
Someone is collecting cash donations door-to-door claiming it's for disaster relief through our church. How do I verify this?
Confirm directly with church leadership, through a number you already have, whether an official relief collection is actually underway before giving any cash to a door-to-door or unsolicited collector claiming to represent the church.
How do I verify that someone collecting zakat on behalf of a mosque or charity is legitimate?
Confirm zakat collection is authorized directly with the mosque or charity's official office before giving, since fraudulent collectors impersonating authorized representatives around Ramadan and other high-giving periods are a recurring problem.
I got a WhatsApp message that looks like it's from my bishop or church leader asking for urgent financial help. How do I check if it's real?
Call the leader directly using a phone number you already had, not the one that messaged you, since WhatsApp impersonation of clergy asking for urgent money is a widespread and low-cost scam that relies on the recipient not pausing to verify.
Someone claiming to be a nun or religious sister contacted me on social media asking for help. Is this likely a scam?
Yes, profiles claiming to be a nun, sister, or other consecrated religious figure and reaching out to strangers online asking for money or personal help are commonly used in romance and advance-fee scams because the identity suggests trustworthiness and discourages skepticism.
Someone claiming to collect tzedakah for a synagogue or Jewish charity approached me unexpectedly. How do I check if it's legitimate?
Verify directly with the synagogue or charity's own office before giving, especially if the collector approached you unexpectedly in public or online, since impersonation of tzedakah collectors is a known scam pattern that exploits the strong cultural value placed on charitable giving.
A website offers instant online ordination or a ministry license for a fee, with claims it unlocks tax benefits. Is this a scam?
Instant online ordination services are generally legitimate as a novelty or personal credential, but claims that ordination alone unlocks significant tax benefits or the ability to run a tax-exempt organization without following proper legal steps are misleading and can expose you to legal and tax risk.
A person dressed as a monk asked me for money or alms in a tourist area. Is this a genuine request or a scam?
In many tourist areas, people dressed as monks soliciting cash directly from tourists, especially with a scripted pitch or a donation book, are impersonators rather than genuine monastics, since authentic alms practices in most Buddhist traditions do not involve direct cash solicitation of strangers on the street.
I bought concert tickets from a resale site or a stranger online — how do I know they're not fake?
Fake tickets are common on unofficial resale sites, social media marketplaces, and classified ads, especially for sold-out shows. Only trust tickets bought through the venue, the official ticketing partner, or a resale platform that guarantees replacement or a refund if a ticket doesn't scan.
A ticket seller asked me to pay via a payment app's 'friends and family' option — is that a red flag?
Yes. 'Friends and family' payments have no buyer protection, so if the ticket never arrives or turns out to be fake, you have almost no way to get your money back.
Someone in a fan group is offering tickets to a sold-out show — is this likely a scam?
It's a common setup for fraud. Scammers watch fan groups and comment sections for sold-out events and pose as generous sellers with 'extra' tickets, often disappearing after payment.
I got a text or email asking me to scan a QR code to 'verify' my event ticket — is this safe?
Treat it with suspicion. Legitimate ticketing platforms don't ask you to scan a QR code from an unsolicited message to 'verify' a ticket you already hold — this pattern is commonly used to steal login credentials or payment details.
I got an email about renewing my season tickets that asks me to update my card details — is this legitimate?
Be cautious. Season-ticket renewal emails are a known phishing target because they arrive at a predictable time each year and fans expect to enter payment details, making it easy for a fake version to blend in.
An event I bought tickets for was cancelled and I got a message about claiming my refund — could this be fake?
Yes, cancellation refund scams are common. Scammers watch for cancelled events and send fake refund forms asking for bank details or card numbers, when the real refund would be processed automatically to your original payment method.
I got a phone call claiming to be the box office saying there's a problem with my ticket order — is this a scam?
It can be. Scammers sometimes call claiming to represent the venue or ticketing company, saying there's a payment issue, to extract card details or push you toward a fraudulent 'corrected' payment.
I found a 'VIP package' bundling event tickets with hotel and travel — how do I know it's a real deal?
Bundled travel-and-ticket packages are a common scam vector because they combine multiple industries, making it easier to hide a fake element among real-looking components. Verify each part — tickets, hotel, and travel — independently before paying.
A website claims to have a surprise 'last-minute ticket drop' for a sold-out event — is this a scam tactic?
Often, yes. Fake 'surprise ticket drop' announcements are used to drive urgency and traffic to fraudulent sites that either take payment for tickets that don't exist or harvest card details through a fake checkout.
I downloaded a ticket exchange app to buy tickets peer-to-peer — how do I know it's legitimate?
Check that the app is officially listed by a known ticketing company and has a long, credible review history — scammers publish lookalike apps with similar names and icons designed to catch buyers searching for a genuine exchange platform.
I got an email offering a paid brand sponsorship deal out of nowhere — could this be a scam targeting creators?
It could be. A common creator-targeted scam poses as a brand offering a lucrative sponsorship, then asks the creator to pay an upfront 'processing' or 'shipping' fee, or sends a fraudulent check that later bounces after the creator has already spent the funds.
I got an email claiming my video received a copyright strike and I need to log in to appeal — is this a phishing attempt?
It's very likely phishing. Copyright strike emails are one of the most common creator-targeted phishing themes because the threat of a channel being taken down creates panic that leads people to click without checking the sender carefully.
I got a message saying my creator payout is on hold until I 'verify' my bank details — is this legitimate?
Treat it as suspicious. Payout verification scams send fake messages claiming a hold on earnings, directing creators to a fake page that captures full bank account or card details.
A service is offering to quickly grow my followers or subscribers — is this actually a scam?
Most 'guaranteed fast growth' services are either fraudulent, delivering fake or bot accounts that get purged and hurt your reach, or a front to steal your account login and password.
I saw a livestream that looked like a well-known creator promoting a crypto giveaway — could it be fake?
Very likely fake. Scammers use deepfake video and voice cloning, or hijacked genuine channels, to run fake livestreams where a familiar face appears to endorse a crypto 'giveaway' that actually steals whatever funds viewers send in.
I got a message saying my creator account will be deleted unless I confirm my details — is this a scam?
Almost certainly. Fake account deletion warnings are a widely used phishing tactic designed to create panic so you click a link and enter your login credentials on a fraudulent page.
Someone reached out offering to be my manager or agent and grow my career — how do I know they're legitimate?
Be cautious with anyone who approaches you unsolicited, especially if they ask for an upfront fee before securing any work. Legitimate agents and managers typically earn commission from deals they land for you, not a fee just to sign you.
I found a merch store claiming to sell official products from a creator I follow — how do I know it's real?
Check that the store is linked directly from the creator's own official channels. Clone merch stores use a creator's name and likeness without permission, taking payment for products that are low quality, counterfeit, or never shipped at all.
Another creator messaged me asking to collaborate and sent a link to 'discuss details' — could this be a phishing attempt?
It can be. Scammers impersonate other creators or claim to represent them, sending collaboration proposals with a link that leads to a credential-stealing page or malware download disguised as a shared document or media kit.
I got an email saying I need to 'verify' my account to keep or unlock monetization — is this a scam?
Likely a phishing attempt. Monetization verification scams mimic official platform emails, directing creators to a fake page that captures login credentials or tax and payment information under the guise of maintaining eligibility.
My phone suddenly lost signal and I can't call or text — could someone have taken over my number with an eSIM swap?
Yes, this is a known attack. A scammer who gathers enough of your personal information can convince your mobile carrier to transfer your number onto an eSIM they control, cutting off your service and letting them intercept calls and texts, including one-time login codes.