Protecting your Mobile Phone from Port-Out-Fraud

According to KrebsOnSecurity , port-out-fraud has become a bigger problem in recent months. What is this exactly? It's a way that crooks gain access to your mobile device by intercepting the one-time password that many companies send (to your device) to perform two-factor authentication. Fraudsters will port a number to a new provider - effectively shutting off your phone and forwarding all calls to their new device.

Doing this allows crooks to call customer service at your mobile provider and pose as you. Once they steal your phone number, they can intercept text authentication messages from your bank, credit card issuer or other companies. It's possible to not even know this has happened until your phone loses service.

Based on your carrier, steps you can take to protect your mobile number from port-out-fraud:

T-Mobile (free service):

• 1.Call 611 from your T-Mobile phone or dial (800) 937-8997.
• 2.Speak to a customer representative.
• 3.Say that you want to "Add Port Validation to your account."
• 4.The representative will ask you to create a 6 to 15 digit passcode.

Verizon (free service):

• 1.Login to your Verizon website account and set up your PIN.
• 2.Or, visit a local Verizon store to have the representatives help setup a PIN for your account.

Sprint (free service):

• Sprint requires all customers to set up a PIN during their initial account setup. If you already have this, no further action may be required. However, if you are unsure, please contact Sprint customer care.

AT&T (free service):

• AT&T requires all accounts be set up with a passcode. AT&T will require this passcode before any changes can be made to your account. If you have this already, no further action may be required. However, if you are unsure if you have a passcode, please contact AT&T customer care.

Please note: When creating new passcodes, remember not to use all or any part of the phone number for which you are adding protection. Instead, create a passcode that will be easy for you to remember, but difficult for anyone else to guess.