Porting or Port-Out Security
wwms
Newbie

Today's Pioneer Press in the Twin Cities (MN) has an article entitled "Cellphone scam reaches Twin Cities; reports of stolen bank accounts and identities."  It recommends that people contact their cell phone companies and add additional security for porting or port-out security. 

A search of the forums at Verizon yields answers that basically say there is sufficient security with our passwords and PINs.  My own experience at Verizon indicates this is not the case.   A couple years ago, in the course of 1 month, on three different occasions, two phones on our account were disabled by the purchase of new phones, which we did not purchase.  After the first incident, a security alert was placed on our Verizon account, and the people were still able to do it twice more.  All they had was the last four digits of one of our social security numbers.  By walking into a Beverly Hills store, they used those four numbers to talk someone into overriding the security alert and the notes on the account that absolutely required they know the PIN and password.

So, I would like to ask again, is there anything additional that can be done on our accounts to state unequivocally that our numbers should not be allowed to be ported to another company.  The scam described ports a number, and then uses the features where a PIN is texted to a cell phone number to gain access to bank accounts.

Cellphone scam reaches Twin Cities; reports of stolen bank accounts and identities – Twin Cities

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Re: Porting or Port-Out Security
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

wwms, it troubles me to learn about the issues with your phone. Your account security is our priority. I would like to review your case in detail. Please check your private messages for further support.

 

TracyB_VZW

Follow us on TWITTER @VZWSupport

If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!

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Re: Porting or Port-Out Security
VICKLI45
Enthusiast - Level 1

This isn't a response to the general question. What measures protect us from this latest scam?

Re: Porting or Port-Out Security
Ann154
Community Leader
Community Leader

The default account pin number is the last four digits of the account owner's social security number. You can increase the account security by using a pin number different from any of your social security numbers.

I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.

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Re: Porting or Port-Out Security
wwms
Newbie

You can, and I had done that long before.  But that PIN can be overridden at the discretion of an employee, even with a security alert on your account.  An employee chose to override it when the person "purchasing" the phones provided that last four of my husband's social. 

But more important is what additional steps Verizon can provide for port-out security.  The PIN isn't sufficient.  I will reach out to the Verizon employee who responded above.

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Re: Porting or Port-Out Security
FIVESEVENCLASSICS

I have the same question

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Re: Porting or Port-Out Security
glitchedpixel
Specialist - Level 1

Last four of the SSN has stop being valid as verification for a long time now.

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Re: Porting or Port-Out Security
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

FIVESEVENCLASSICS, we understand how important it is that your information be protected. At present, we secure our accounts with a 4 digit PIN of your own choosing. This can be changed on My Verizon at any time. https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/account-pin-faqs/#forget. #6 will show you the steps. I can assure you that our accounts are perfectly secure, and we will work for you in the event that your security is breached to ensure that your privacy remains protected no matter what. Our fraud prevention team is second to none and we are always here for you. We hope this helps set your mind at ease. 

 

Joseph_VZW
Follow us on TWITTER @VZWSupport
If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

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Re: Porting or Port-Out Security
BabyKmom1
Newbie

I would like to add two factor authentication before my number can be ported out in addition to the PIN and password. It is too easy for an eager sales rep at another carrier to bypass porting security to make the sale. Port out scam is a devistating threat.

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