SIM Hijacking

TVA's JE TV Show covered several cybersecurity topics on January 17, 2025, including SIM card swap scams, identity theft risks, and vulnerabilities in two-factor authentication.

The threat is serious: fraudsters exploit SIM swapping to take control of your phone number and access your personal accounts, frequently causing rapid financial harm.

Canadian statistics underscore the exposure. Per Project Disrupt 2024, more than 1,500 cellular accounts faced compromise across the country — a clear sign of how widespread this attack method has become.

Defensive strategies

• Practice responsible online conduct.
• Stay alert to phishing attempts via messages or calls.
• Use strong, unique passwords and secure your provider account.
• Activate alerts through your bank and telecom provider.
• Use an authentication app instead of SMS-based verification.
• Review your accounts regularly for anything unusual.

A recording of the TVA broadcast is available for anyone who wants to dig into this further.