April 16, 2024 at 11:38AM
T-Mobile and Verizon employees have reported receiving unsolicited messages offering cash for illegal SIM swaps. The scam involves transferring a user’s phone number to a controlled SIM card, allowing scammers access to private data. T-Mobile is investigating and stated their systems were not breached. It remains unclear how the scammers obtained employee information. Engaging in the scam could lead to legal consequences.
The meeting notes provided detail a concerning issue related to T-Mobile employees being targeted with text messages offering cash in exchange for performing illegal SIM swaps. The notes also mention that similar messages have been received by individuals claiming to be Verizon employees, indicating that the scam isn’t confined to T-Mobile.
The scam, known as SIM swapping, involves convincing a carrier to transfer a user’s phone number to a SIM card controlled by a criminal, granting the scammer access to the victim’s cell phone number and potentially valuable personal data. It is highlighted that the individuals behind the text solicitations claim to have obtained employee information from “the T-Mo employee directory.”
T-Mobile has acknowledged the attempted scams and is actively investigating the issue, stating that they did not experience a systems breach. However, the origin of the employee information and how it potentially affected employees from other carriers remains unclear. It is noted that T-Mobile has experienced several breaches in recent years, which may be linked to this current issue.
Employees on Reddit have cautioned against participating in the scam, citing the risk of severe legal consequences, as performing a SIM swap requires the input of a dealer code, leaving a clear record of who carried out the swap.
In conclusion, the notes summarize a complex and troubling situation surrounding the attempted SIM swap scams targeting telco employees, with ongoing investigation and a need for clarity regarding the source of the employee information and potential implications for employees of other carriers.