How to set up a SIM transfer PIN on every carrier
You can imagine the headache it would cause if someone else gained access to your phone number. Communication aside, our mobile devices are often used to verify our identities when logging in to online accounts, such as getting a text message with a code required to log in to Amazon or your bank account from a new device. We’ve come a long way from landlines.
Criminals can intercept this important information through a technique called SIM swapping, However, mobile carriers have taken that threat seriously in recent years, and most now require a unique four-digit or six-digit number from your original wireless provider before activation on the new network. Getting this PIN for a legitimate port request isn’t always straightforward. Here’s how to access your number transfer PIN on many major U.S. carriers.
What is SIM swapping?
SIM swapping, or SIM hijacking, is a technique fraudsters use to gain access to your mobile phone number by convincing your carrier to port out your number to another SIM card. The result is that the fraudulent party gains access to your phone line as you lose access, letting them intercept calls and texts meant for you, as well as make calls and texts from your phone number.
Many services rely on calls and texts for two-factor authentication, where you enter a code received over a voice call or text message in addition to (or worse, instead of) your password. Having control of your phone number fall into the wrong hands can cause problems, from stolen personal data to unauthorized charges and more.
Attacks like this are a potential problem on all plans from all carriers, prepaid or postpaid, even if you use aneSIM-compatible phoneand don’t have a SIM card. However, the big carriers now require a four-digit or six-digit PIN to port out your phone number to a new carrier.
Secure your Android phone with an easy-to-set-up SIM lock
Verizon Wireless
Verizon protects your phone number in a couple of ways. Before porting out your phone number to another account at another carrier, you’ll generate a Number Transfer PIN. Number Transfer PINs are valid for one week after generation. You must be an Account Owner or authorized Account Manager to generate a Number Transfer PIN. Here’s how.
Hot to generate a Number Transfer PIN over the phone
How to generate a Number Transfer PIN from the My Verizon app
How to generate a Number Transfer PIN from your online account
On top of the built-in Number Transfer PIN feature, your Verizon account includes an option called Number Lock that lets you block numbers from being transferred until you manually unblock them. Here’s how to set it up.
How to set up Number Lock over the phone
Dial*611and follow the prompts.
How to set up Number Lock From the My Verizon app
How to set up Number Lock From your online account
You’ll need to follow these same steps again to unblock any numbers you want to port out before you can request a Number Transfer PIN.
AT&T account holders can request a number transfer PIN in a few ways: over the phone, from AT&T’s mobile app, or online at att.com.
How to request a number transfer PIN over the phone
CallPORT(7678) from the phone number you want to port out and follow the prompts. You’ll need your account passcode to generate a Number Transfer PIN over the phone.
How to request a number transfer PIN from the myAT&T app
How to request a number transfer PIN from your online account
T-Mobile doesn’t seem to accept SIM transfer PIN requests over the phone, but you can get your PIN either from the T-Mobile app or the carrier’s website.
How to get your PIN from the T-Mobile app
How to get your PIN from your online account
Xfinity Mobile
To get your account PIN from Xfinity Mobile, you’ll access your online account from a desktop or mobile browser.
Google Fi bakes number transfer PINs into the process of transferring your number to a new carrier. You’ll get your PIN automatically during the transfer process. Here’s how it works.
How to get a number transfer PIN from the Google Fi app
How to get a number transfer PIN from your online account
UScellular
To get your porting PIN from UScellular, contact customer service at888-944-9400. Have identifying information like your account number and billing address ready.
Consumer Cellular
Similar to UScellular, you’ll need to call Consumer Cellular’s customer service line at888-750-5519to get a SIM transfer PIN. You’ll need your account number and account PIN (which isn’t the same as a transfer PIN). Note that the transfer PIN is only valid for 24 hours, so only call when you’re ready to begin a transfer.
My carrier isn’t listed. What do I do?
The service providers on this list that support some type of security PIN system for porting out phone numbers collectively service most people in the U.S. If your carrier isn’t listed here, it doesn’t necessarily mean it doesn’t support PIN-protected SIM transfers. Contact your carrier’s customer service to learn more. While you’re at it, see if you can set upapp-based two-factor authenticationto protect your account. It’s harder to crack than SMS-based 2FA.
Things get red hot for Magenta
Google’s made several improvements over the years
From faster storage to better speakers
Pixel 10 Pro XL charges faster wirelessly
Carriers get the upper hand
Boost Mobile sees changes, too
