Google Fi’s ‘Number Lock’ adds protection against SIM swaps – here’s how to enable it
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETSIM swapping is an infamous type of scam in which a cybercriminal takes over your mobile phone account to port your number to another phone or carrier. Now Google Fi is offering its customers an extra level of protection to guard against such account takeovers.Describing its Number Lock feature in a new support page spotted by 9to5Google, Google called it an additional layer of protection against illegal SIM swaps and an option offered to Google Fi customers at no extra cost. With Number Lock enabled, no one can transfer your number to another phone or port it to another carrier.Also: Multi-factor authentication: How to enable 2FA and boost your securityTo enable Number Lock, sign into your account at the Google Fi website. Go to “Phone settings” and select “Privacy & security.” Under the setting for “Number lock,” select the option for “Sign in to manage Number lock.” Enter your username and password again and then turn on the switch for “Number lock.” To disable it, simply follow the same steps and turn the Number lock switch back to Off.With the prevalence of mobile phones, SIM swapping has become a popular tactic used by scammers who can target any user. As described on another Google support page:”SIM swapping happens when someone is able to steal your phone number by convincing your carrier to port your phone number over to a SIM card they own. For example, someone may call your carrier, pretend to be you, and convince your carrier that you have lost your phone and need to move your number to a new phone.”To protect a Google Fi account or any mobile account from SIM swapping, your best bet is to set up two-factor authentication. In that event, the scammer shouldn’t be able to access your account without that second form of verification. However, the type of 2FA you choose makes a big difference. More
