Victim of SIM swap and can't stop feeling stupid and worried

[Icantpeopleanymore]

Today I was the victim of a SIM swap fraud, I lost access to my phone number for about 30-45 mins before I managed to get it blocked and a new SIM, I've checked all my accounts, bank etc, changed passwords..I think I've done everything I can but I'm so annoyed with myself and feel so stupid, it's taken up all my evening sorting it out and I should now be asleep for work tomorrow but I'm just so worried I've missed something and I'm going to end up having issues.

I'm just worried, they knew my email, my address...feels like they've been in my home!

I just had no idea this could be fine so easily. Had a text saying a new SIM had been ordered, phoned EE, couldn't get through, left a message on their system thingy, said I'd get a call back, I did about a minute later, the caller was so convincing, then my phone lost service and I realised what had happened. I couldn't do anything until I got home to get WiFi to call another way, sorted it really quickly and went to a shop to get a new SIM, but it's really thrown me.

Dunno why I'm posting but I'm just worrying now that they've got all this information about me!

Thank you for sharing, I’m sorry this has happened to you but I had never heard of this scam before. So thank you for spreading awareness.

I don’t get what the scam is - how can a SIM swap be done remotely?

I had absolutely no idea it could be done! They phoned me and had my details, asked me for the one time passcode they'd sent...clearly then it wasn't EE. So convincing.
I was as we all are, busy, collecting my daughter from a guitar lesson, thinking about a million other things, just saw the text and had a few mins to phone EE, then bam just like that they'd done it. Of course when you've got no service you can't call to sort it, got home and I'd been logged out of WhatsApp, luckily I have an appointment on my phone to call via WiFi to or work, used that and got through and panicked down the phone to a call centre bod, he sorted it in minutes but it just feels like I've been violated! Ridiculous I know. Just no idea how they knew my address, my log in to EE, my email...

Have EE confirmed this was a scam? I wouldn't feel silly. I've never heard of this. I'm not sure I see what benefit they have from this scam so now I feel silly 🤣

@Flatiron it was a virtual SIM. I've got a physical one but some phones don't apparently, they just order a new one, they then have some way of making it look like they're phoning you from the phone company, get stupid idiots like me to give the passcode or similar.. then your phone stops working, no service, because they have your number.
Then of course if you have an account somewhere they can say forgot password, get a code texted to them, and get into your accounts with banks etc.

That sounds awful. Hope you got it sorted and there aren’t any further repercussions.

@YourFlawIsLava yes, the ee customer service worker said he'd had three customers just today.
When I went to the shop with my passport to get the new SIM, the guy in there said they'll often then order loads of phones, change the address, get them sent out. But the two factor identification is usually a phone number, so if they have that, plus whatever other information about you, they can get into your accounts.
I logged out of Facebook messenger, but before I did there was a different image as my profile on there than mine, which was very worrying...

I think I have, but I'm now just worried I've forgotten something I should change the password to...I can't tell if they've managed to get into anything.

Is your email safe?

Not trying to worry you it's just when mine was hacked they went for my PayPal, eBay account and Amazon. Some had 2fa on so we're fine but they were their targets

It's horrible and you feel sick, sorry it's happened but I echo the thanks about sharing your experience

Jesus, that's quite terrifying if they had all that detail. I hope you get everything changed over. I'd be changing email address on everything but I'd hate to have to change numbers.

Don't feel silly. They're clearly very good at what they do. I'd be wondering if it's someone internal if 3 people have been done today

I've changed my password to my email, not sure what else I can do, checked what's logged in, set up notifications so if a different device tries to log in I'll know, PayPal too, banks etc, Amazon...think that's everything. Hope so! Can't change my email for everything, I've got so much going on right now with my daughter, applying for EHCP, everything for that comes through email.

@sleepwouldbenice thank you for reminding me, just checked eBay, changed too. Barely use it so I'd forgotten, nothing dodgy on there but there was an unverified phone number. Changed now.

I get feeling silly but I think you must stop referring to yourself as such. Or stupid etc. it’s really just one of those things. No one’s fault but the scammers. I didn’t know this was even a thing in this way so would’ve just as easily been got. It sounds like you have stress in your life elsewhere so this is the last thing you needed plus it makes you feel so vulnerable and violated these kind of things. It’s a shock and traumatic as much as a physical theft can be in many ways so give yourself time to rest.

I mean all financial things or where them having your email address means they can log in and spend your money.

Did you phone EE using the number in the text that the scammers sent? Just wondering how it all worked .
Thanks for sharing your experience, how extremely stressful

No worries. We found they bought stuff on eBay in USA months later so didn't think of it at the time. Glad your email is safe. Makes you feel sick I know
Little sods cancelled our Netflix when we didn't respond to their blackmail emails...