Ohio Woman Faces Repeated Hacks After Phone Number Compromise

• •Victim Lela faced repeated hacks after transferring her phone number to AT&T.
• •Changing a phone number should not be the first step in recovery from a hack.
• •SIM swap and port-out scams are common methods used by criminals to gain access to sensitive accounts.

Lela from Ohio experienced multiple account takeovers after her phone number was transferred to AT&T. Despite changing carriers and cards, hackers continued to access her checking accounts and credit cards. She questioned whether changing her phone number would be a viable solution. Experts suggest that while changing the number can help, it should not be the first step, especially if hackers still control her email or bank accounts. The article explains that phone numbers are often linked to sensitive accounts, making them valuable targets for criminals. SIM swap and port-out scams allow hackers to take control of phone numbers, intercepting security codes and gaining access to various accounts. Victims often remain unaware of the breach until financial losses occur. It is recommended that victims secure their existing number and update account recovery settings before considering a number change.