Additional security procedures are set to be implemented for users wishing to switch carriers from T-Mobile.
T-Mobile is forcing consumers to generate a PIN as part of the port-out procedure. Account Takeover Protection is a feature that seeks to reduce the danger of fraud during this procedure.
According to The T-Mo Report, individuals transferring their number must generate a six-digit PIN either within the T-Mobile app or on the company’s website.
They will subsequently be required to supply it when changing their phone provider. This additional step was included to make it more difficult for hackers to obtain phone numbers through “SIM swapping” attacks.
According to T-Mobile, it is “implementing Number Transfer PINs to give an extra degree of protection to safeguard consumers from unwanted port outs.” These PINs will be implemented shortly.”
Additionally, the T-Mo Report notes that this is only accessible for postpaid accounts at the moment. Sprint customers who are about to migrate can add Account Takeover Protection prior to the relocation.
There is currently no information on when or if this functionality will be offered to prepaid customers.
Verizon and AT&T rivals already mandate the development of a PIN during the port-out procedure. SIM switching assaults have grown in popularity, in which a fraudster convinces a provider to transfer their phone number to them.
Scammers like carrying out these assaults because they reveal a plethora of personal information such as name, address, and birth date.
It’s a means of obtaining access to your private information in order to steal not just your identity, but also your money.
The FCC offers advice on how to safeguard yourself here.
The procedure of port-out might be improved further.
This is a long-overdue tool and an easy method to safeguard your T-Mobile account. Given the seriousness of SIM swapping assaults, generating a six-digit PIN appears to be a non-issue.
It’s beneficial. T-Mobile is beefing up security following a data breach that exposed the information of over 50 million consumers just seven months ago. While there is still much more to be done, this is a positive beginning.