The FCC has launched a formal rulemaking process to combat subscriber identity module (SIM) swapping scams and port-out fraud, which are processes used by bad actors to commandeer consumers’ cell phone accounts without seizing control of their phones. These processes have been the subjects of a number of recent consumer complaints to the FCC.
In response, the FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposes amending the Local Number Portability and Customer Proprietary Network Information rules to require carriers to adopt secure customer authentication methods, and requiring providers to promptly notify customers when a SIM change or port request is made on their accounts.
