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RECOVERY

Should I change my phone number after a scam?

For most people, changing your phone number is not necessary. There are simpler steps that deal with the actual risk. Here is how to decide — and what to do instead if you are getting unwanted calls or texts from the scammer.

In an active crisis?

  • Call your bank
  • Call the platform (Amazon, PayPal, MobilePay, etc.)
  • Call local police

In most cases, you do not need to change your number

A scammer having your phone number is not the same as them having access to your accounts. Your phone number alone cannot be used to log in to your bank, email, or social media — those require passwords and, in most cases, a second factor. The real risks from a scammer having your number are:

  • Continued contact — calls, texts, or messages from the scammer or their associates
  • SIM-swap fraud — in rare cases, a scammer may attempt to convince your carrier to transfer your number to a SIM card they control, which would let them receive your SMS verification codes
  • Your number being sold to other scam operations

For most people, blocking the scammer and adding a SIM-lock to your account is sufficient. Changing your number is a significant disruption — you would need to update it with your bank, employer, friends, and every service you use. That disruption is only worth it in specific circumstances.

Step 1 — Block the scammer and report the number

Do this now: Block the scammer's number on your phone. On most phones, you can do this directly from the call or message log. Also report the number as spam or fraud to your carrier — this helps your carrier block the number for other customers too.

In the US, you can report unwanted calls to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM). In the UK, forward scam texts to 7726 and report calls to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk.

Step 2 — Add a SIM lock to your account

Do this now: Contact your mobile carrier and ask them to add a SIM lock or port freeze to your account. This prevents anyone from transferring your number to a different SIM card without your authorisation. Most carriers offer this for free. This is the most effective protection against SIM-swap fraud.

Important: If you use SMS as your two-factor authentication method for your bank or email, consider switching to an authenticator app (such as Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator) instead. Authenticator apps are not vulnerable to SIM-swap attacks because the codes are generated on your device, not sent by SMS.

When changing your number does make sense

Consider changing your number if:

  • You are receiving a high volume of harassment calls or texts that blocking alone does not stop
  • You have reason to believe a SIM-swap has already occurred (you suddenly lose mobile service for no apparent reason)
  • The scam involved a personal relationship where the scammer knows you and is using your number to continue contact

If you do change your number, remember to update it with your bank, employer, government services, and any accounts that use SMS for two-factor authentication.

Report the scam

You've taken the right steps: You have blocked the scammer, added a SIM lock, and reported the scam. For most people, this is sufficient. This is not your fault.

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This page was last reviewed: June 27, 2026.
Recovery pages are drafted with AI assistance, then reviewed line-by-line by the editor, sourced against official reporting authorities, and tested for tone and clarity before publication.