A new type of identity theft is allowing hackers to take over cellphones without the owners even realizing it's happening.
Phone porting is a legal service, but thieves are using it to hijack unsuspecting victims. Porting allows customer to keep their phone number if they switch to a new carrier, but the Better Business Bureau says a growing number of criminals are contacting mobile providers pretending to be someone else.
They convince cell providers a number needs to be transferred to a new phone and once they have control of the number they start intercepting text authentication messages from banks, credit cards or other companies.
The BBB says there are some things you can do to protect yourself from illegal porting:
If you think you have been the victim of illegal porting you should contact your mobile provider immediately.