- Cybercriminals are targeting current and former employees of major telecom providers, such as T-Mobile and Verizon, offering them cash rewards to assist with illegal SIM-swapping operations. [phonearena.com, bleepingcomputer.com, techmeme.com, ilsoftware.it, telecomstechnews.com, secnews.gr, netzwoche.ch, tmonews.com, gigazine.net, notiulti.com, theregister.com, securityboulevard.com]
- SIM-swapping can lead to unauthorized access to personal accounts, identity theft, financial losses, and emotional distress for victims.
- The FBI has warned about the increasing number of SIM swap attacks, with Americans filing over 3,000 complaints in 2022-2023, resulting in over $120 million in losses. [bleepingcomputer.com, securityboulevard.com]
- In response, the FCC has implemented new regulations requiring carriers to implement secure authentication procedures and warn customers of SIM changes or port-out requests. [secnews.gr, bleepingcomputer.com]
- Telecom providers are urged to implement secure identity verification procedures, increase the security of customer accounts, and train their staff on the risks of SIM-swapping. [secnews.gr, bleepingcomputer.com]
- Users can protect themselves by being cautious about sharing personal information, contacting their provider immediately if they receive suspicious messages, and using two-factor authentication apps instead of SMS-based authentication. [secnews.gr, gigazine.net, ilsoftware.it, telecomstechnews.com, securityboulevard.com]
- T-Mobile US has acknowledged the attempted scams, stating that they did not have a systems breach this time, but the incident raises serious questions about the security of employee data and the established mechanisms to protect such information. [theregister.com, notiulti.com]
Sources:
- phonearena.com (English)
- bleepingcomputer.com (English)
- techmeme.com (English)
- ilsoftware.it (Italian)
- telecomstechnews.com (English)
- secnews.gr (Greek)
- netzwoche.ch (German)
- tmonews.com (English)
- gigazine.net (Japanese)
- notiulti.com (Italian)
- theregister.com (English)
- securityboulevard.com (English)
Links:
https://www.netzwoche.ch/news/2024-04-17/cyberkriminelle-zahlen-telko-mitarbeitende-fuer-sim-swaps
https://www.tmonews.com/2024/04/report-t-mobile-employees-getting-offers-for-sim-swap-participation
https://gigazine.net/news/20240416-illegal-sim-swap-t-mobile
https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/16/sim_swap_scam_tmobile
https://www.techspot.com/news/102639-bad-actors-tempting-t-mobile-employees-cash-rewards.html
https://www.phonearena.com/news/t-mobile-statement-employees-receiving-sim-swap-offers_id157387
