SIM Swap Scams Hitting Dane County

February 13, 2025
Elise Schaffer, PIO, (608) 284-6142
Sheriff's Office

The Dane County Sheriff’s Office is alerting citizens to a recent increase in SIM Swap cases reported in Dane County. A SIM Swap, or SIMjacking, is when a person’s cell phone number is transferred to the scammer's phone, allowing them to access bank accounts, payment apps, and other personal information. Armed with your information, which they may have taken from social media accounts or purchased on the dark web, the scammer contacts your cell phone provider to get control of your phone number.

In a recent case investigated by Dane County Sheriff’s detectives, a man realized he couldn’t make or receive calls. He reached out to his son for assistance. When his son began to examine the phone, he discovered his father’s number had been stolen. Even though the scammers only had access to the phone briefly, they had already begun to access payment apps.

The Sheriff’s Office suggests protecting yourself from this type of fraud. Contact your carrier to find out what security measures they offer. If you become a victim of a SIM Swap, call your local authorities.