NOPORT option to prevent SIM swapping hack?
zazongala
Enthusiast - Level 1

Does Verizon provide in-store verification of identity to facilitate porting a number to a new SIM? If not, why not? T-Mobile is doing so in order to counter an increasingly popular hacking technique. ( https://lifehacker.com/prevent-sim-swapping-hackers-from-stealing-your-phone-n-1838149833 )

"Some providers offer tighter security upon request. According to Motherboard, T-Mobile has a security option called “NOPORT,” which mandates that porting your number to a new SIM or provider requires a photo ID check, which needs to take place in person at a store. That takes phone- and chat-based ruses off the table. According to the same report, Sprint also has a high-security designation called “Security Plus,” which must also be requested via customer service."

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/ywa3dv/t-mobile-has-a-secret-setting-to-protect-your-account-from...

Re: NOPORT option to prevent SIM swapping hack?
horselady4tn
Newbie

Answer to your question is that Verizon has an option of using a securtiy code only you know and a two step authentication that can be used for your account to stop SIM swapping hacks. 

 Verizon requires everyone to make a PIN, and will prompt you to set it then when you access your account online for the first time.

If you have not set a PIN, you should log into your account online, go to security settings, and find the setting to add or update your PIN. Hope this helps.

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Re: NOPORT option to prevent SIM swapping hack?
Bob213411
Enthusiast - Level 1

This is not the same.

The PIN method of security is "Something you know" (and something other's may know) - NOPORT is a method of security of "Something you are" (I.e. I am that person and have physically presented myself with ID)

Why isn't Verizon also implementing NOPORT, or the Verizon equivelent "Security Plus"?

Re: NOPORT option to prevent SIM swapping hack?
deloused
Master - Level 3

Because it’s even easier to just create a fake ID to get around those other carrier’s security protocols to bypass those as well

https://www.fake-id.com/

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Re: NOPORT option to prevent SIM swapping hack?
kroxbury21
Enthusiast - Level 1

Verizon 

This seems like a pretty simple feature to add to someone's account if requested.  We will deal with the pain of going to the store when or if we need to port a number.  Most US banks don't use two-factor authentication with a 3rd party app but rather send codes via text which if your number is sim swapped you will no longer have access too.

Just allow customers to request that photo ID required this way if a Verizon employee at a store overrides it you know where your security was breached.

Re: NOPORT option to prevent SIM swapping hack?
William_Croft
Enthusiast - Level 2

There are multiple news stories online, that Verizon has a new option: "Number Lock". This switch can be turned on from the "My Verizon" phone app. HOWEVER, just checking now, I do not see that switch under any category.

https://www.google.com/search?q=verizon+%22number+lock%22

What the heck is going on? I need to turn this on ASAP.

William Croft

William Croft
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Re: NOPORT option to prevent SIM swapping hack?
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

Help is here, William_Croft! We want to ensure you are able to enable Number Lock. Please ensur eyour My Verizon app is up to date. Use this link: https://www.verizon.com/support/port-out-faqs/#transfer-freeze and refer to #2 under Number Lock for step by step instructions on how to turn on Number Lock. 

 

*Cheyenne

Re: NOPORT option to prevent SIM swapping hack?
William_Croft
Enthusiast - Level 2

Hi @vzw_customer_support , @zazongala , @deloused , @Bob213411 , @kroxbury21 

Thanks for your kind reply. HOWEVER, I was informed yesterday by one of your agents, that the "Number Lock" feature is ONLY available to postpaid customers. I am a prepaid customer, so I cannot use the feature.  Apparently Verizon is ignoring the many many reports online of SIM Swap attacks, port out attacks. 

I highly suggest your mid and upper level management, read this research paper. It shows how easy it is to subvert the Verizon store employee's, who check for 'valid' ID before doing a SIM swap. The paper shows that 10 out of 10 Verizon illegal SIM swap hacks, SUCCEEDED.

https://www.issms2fasecure.com/

Which means that Verizon enables easy identity theft. I would appreciate a response on behalf of Verizon, that they are actively working to eliminate such thefts.

Regards,

William Croft
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