SIM Swap Hijack Trend in Canada (2025 Update)

Bell, Rogers & Telus Customers Targeted in New Wave of Identity Takeovers
By CrawlTechTips — Consumer Cybersecurity Awareness

A Silent Threat Taking Over Canadian Phones

In 2025, SIM-swap hijacking has become one of the fastest-growing forms of identity theft in Canada — affecting customers of Bell, Rogers, Telus, and their sub-brands. Unlike traditional cyberattacks, this one doesn’t require malware, hacking skills, or breaking into your account. Criminals simply take over your phone number, and from there, they can impersonate you, steal your money, and lock you out of your digital life in minutes.

This blog breaks down how the scam works, why it’s rising sharply in Canada, and how you can protect yourself.

What Is a SIM Swap Hijack?

A SIM swap (also known as SIM hijacking or port-out fraud) occurs when a criminal convinces your mobile carrier to transfer your phone number to a SIM card they control. Once they have your number, they can:

• Receive your text messages

• Bypass SMS-based MFA codes

• Reset your online banking passwords

• Access email, crypto wallets, CRA accounts, social media, and cloud backups

• Lock you out of your own identity

For many Canadians, the first sign is when their phone suddenly shows “No Service”.

Why Is This Increasing in Canada?

Several factors are contributing to a surge of SIM swap cases in 2024–2025:

1. Telecom data leaks & black-market identity dumps

Large volumes of Canadian customer data — names, phone numbers, DOBs — are being sold on criminal forums, making impersonation easier.

2. Weak carrier authentication

Criminals use scripts and confidence tricks to convince call-centre agents that they’re the real customer.

3. More dependence on SMS MFA

Major banks, CRA login, and e-transfer verification still rely heavily on SMS codes. If criminals can get your number, they control your digital life.

4. Rise of professional cybercrime “SIM farms”

Organized groups automate attacks against hundreds of victims at a time.

5. Canadians unaware of the threat

Many people don’t know that someone can take over their number without physically stealing their phone.

How SIM Swap Attacks Happen

Step 1 — Criminals collect your info

This may come from phishing emails, fake job applications, malware, social media scraping, or breached data.

Step 2 — They impersonate you with the carrier

They call the carrier and claim:

• “My phone was lost.”

• “I need to activate a new SIM.”

• “I need to port my number to a different device.”

Step 3 — Your number gets transferred

You lose service. They instantly gain access to SMS and calls.

Step 4 — They reset your accounts

Within minutes, they can drain accounts and lock you out.

Warning Signs of an Active SIM Swap

If you notice any of these, act immediately:

• ❌ Sudden “No Service” or “SOS Only”

• 🔔 Password reset messages you didn’t initiate

• 📤 Bank alerts or login notifications you didn’t trigger

• 📵 Carrier message saying “SIM change successful” (that you didn’t approve)

If any of this happens: call your carrier immediately using another phone.

How Canadians Can Protect Themselves

While the threat is alarming, strong preventative steps can dramatically reduce risk:

1. Use app-based MFA instead of SMS

Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator, and hardware keys are much safer.

2. Add a “Port Freeze” or “Account Lock”

Many carriers allow you to block all number transfers unless you visit a store.

3. Avoid sharing personal details online

DOB, address, phone number, and ID details help criminals impersonate you.

4. Be cautious with job applications & online forms

Fake HR forms requesting ID photos are a major source of stolen data.

5. Monitor your accounts regularly

Look for suspicious logins, password-reset emails, or banking notifications.

What To Do If You Think You’ve Been SIM-Swapped

1. Call your carrier immediately and request a SIM reversal

2. Change your email and banking passwords from another device

3. Remove phone numbers as MFA options temporarily

4. Check financial accounts and e-transfer history

5. Enable app-based MFA everywhere

Time is critical — acting within minutes can prevent theft.

How CrawlTech Helps Protect Canadians

CrawlTech offers services for individuals and businesses:

• Telecom account hardening & port-protection setup

• Identity protection & monitoring

• Account recovery guidance after a SIM hijack

• Cybersecurity awareness for employees and families

• MFA modernization (migrating from SMS to safer methods)

If your phone is the new digital identity key, CrawlTech ensures it stays in the right hands.

Conclusion

SIM swap hijacking is no longer rare — it’s a fast-growing identity theft trend hitting Canadians nationwide. Staying ahead of attackers means understanding the threat, strengthening your accounts, and adopting safer authentication methods.

Stay smart. Stay secure. CrawlTechTips.