Can someone steal your phone number and text with it?

In today’s digital world, our phone numbers have become an important part of our identity. They are used for two-factor authentication on many apps and services. They also allow us to communicate and stay in touch with friends and family. However, this reliance on phone numbers has also exposed us to new risks and potential scams. One concerning question many people have is – can someone steal your phone number and text with it?

How phone number theft happens

Unfortunately, it is possible for someone to hijack your phone number, allowing them to text and call pretending to be you. Here are some of the ways this can happen:

• SIM swapping – The attacker convinces your mobile provider to transfer your number to a new SIM card that they control. This gives them full control over calls and texts.
• Phone porting – Your number is ported or transferred fully to another provider without your authorization.
• Signing up for a new number – Criminals can sometimes get new numbers assigned to them that were previously yours if it was disconnected.
• Number spoofing – Scammers mask the originating number to display as yours when texting or calling victims.

In most cases, attackers need to gather some personal information about you first or take advantage of vulnerabilities like social engineering at mobile phone providers. But the result is they can impersonate you and intercept messages and calls intended for you.

What can attackers do with your stolen number?

Attackers who hijack your phone number can exploit it in several concerning ways:

• Texting your contacts pretending to be you, often asking for money or favors.
• Resetting the passwords on your online accounts through 2 factor authentication.
• Accessing your voicemails and any data stored online linked to that number.
• Signing up for accounts or services in your name with that number.
• Intercepting any calls or texts intended for you.

This allows criminals to steal identities, access private data, and take over accounts. The potential damage depends on how much of your digital identity is linked to that number.

How to tell if your phone number is stolen

Here are some signs that your phone number may have been compromised by someone else:

• You suddenly stop receiving text messages and calls on your device.
• Friends or contacts inform you of texts or calls they received that you never sent.
• You notice social media or bank accounts accessed without your authorization.
• You are unable to place outgoing calls or send texts.
• You get notified of account changes for services you did not make.

You may not experience all of these signs, but even one of them can indicate your SIM card has been swapped or ported without approval. Acting quickly is important to regain control and prevent further abuse.

Steps to take if you lose control of your number

If you suspect your phone number has been compromised, here are important steps to take:

1. Contact your mobile provider immediately and explain the situation – they can investigate and attempt to get your number back under your control.
2. Reset passwords on accounts linked to that number, prioritizing banking and email logins.
3. Alert contacts and family who may have received suspicious texts from your number.
4. Monitor accounts and credit reports for any fraudulent activity.
5. File reports with the FCC and FTC to document the phone hacking.
6. Request call and text logs from your provider to identify suspicious activity.

Acting quickly can help limit the damage and prevent further misuse of your number. Your provider may be able to recover control of your SIM and number if reported promptly. Documenting everything for law enforcement creates a paper trail if identity theft does occur.

How to better protect your phone number

Here are some measures you can take to better secure your phone number and prevent it from being stolen:

• Avoid publishing your phone number publicly online or sharing it with untrusted sites.
• Use strong and unique passwords for all accounts, especially email.
• Enable multi-factor authentication through apps instead of text messages when possible.
• Monitor your accounts routinely for suspicious activity.
• Freeze your credit reports to prevent applications for credit or services.
• Limit personal details shared publicly that could help social engineering attacks.
• Ask providers to add additional security notes or passcodes to your account.

Your mobile provider can also implement additional safeguards to secure your account if you request them. Being cautious about where and with whom you share your phone number limits exposure.

Can law enforcement trace a stolen number?

In some cases, law enforcement has tools that may help track down whoever stole your phone number through tracing call logs and locations. However, there are limits to their capabilities which depend on:

• How much time has passed – The longer the number has been compromised, the more complex tracing becomes.
• Whether the SIM card has moved between devices – This can obscure the trail.
• If the attacker utilizes spoofing or encryption – This can hide their identity and activity.
• Whether they physical stole a device vs hacking just the number.
• If they are domestic or foreign-based – International coordinates are required.

Best results come from reporting early before the attacker covers their tracks. But it is difficult to trace disposable burner phones or sophisticated cyber criminals. In some cases, the original perpetrator is untraceable.

Can you sue if your phone number is stolen?

You may be able to take legal action if you become victim of phone number theft. Some options include:

• Suing your mobile provider – If negligence such as poor security practices contributed to the breach of your number.
• Reporting them to regulatory agencies – Such as the FCC or FTC for investigation into fair business practices.
• Pursuing criminal charges – If police are able to identify the perpetrator through tracing and records.
• Filing reports of fraud – With the FTC and FCC to document identity theft linked to your stolen number.
• Suing parties responsible for financial fraud – Such as banks that allowed unauthorized withdrawals from your accounts.

Consulting with an attorney can help you determine if you have grounds for legal action and against which parties. The goal is to hold all those responsible accountable as permitted by law.

Conclusion

Having your phone number stolen can enable serious identity theft, account takeovers, and financial fraud. Criminals are able to intercept communications intended for you and impersonate you convincingly. It is important to be vigilant against any suspicious account activity and report signs of phone number theft immediately. While challenging to fully prevent, taking some proactive measures can help reduce your risk.