Cancelled My Number to Avoid SIM Swaps

[mouakter13]

After hearing countless horror stories about SIM swap attacks, I decided to take a bold step: I cancelled my phone number entirely. For those unfamiliar, SIM swapping is a growing security threat where hackers trick your mobile carrier into transferring your number to their device. This gives them access to SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA) codes, allowing them to hijack bank accounts, social media profiles, and even email. The thought of losing control over my phone number—and potentially my entire digital life—was terrifying. So, I decided enough was enough and cancelled my number to eliminate this risk altogether.

Since cancelling my number, I’ve had to rethink how I secure my accounts and communicate. I moved away from SMS-based 2FA and started using authenticator apps like Google Authenticator and hardware security keys such as YubiKey. These methods don’t rely on your phone number, making it nearly impossible for someone to hijack your accounts through SIM swaps. While it required some effort to update all my accounts and inform contacts of my new communication methods, the peace of mind has been special database worth it. No longer do I worry about criminals taking over my identity through my phone number.

Of course, cancelling your number isn’t for everyone, and it does come with challenges like updating contacts and dealing with services that still require a phone number for verification. However, if you value security and want to protect yourself against SIM swap attacks, it’s worth considering. The modern digital landscape demands stronger security measures than just a phone number, and cancelling mine was a crucial step towards regaining control. If you’re on the fence, ask yourself—how much is your phone number really protecting you?