RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — Criminals are targeting information kept in a cell phone and by doing so, they're able to steal someone's identity.
It's called a SIM swap and thieves are able to steal hundreds of millions of dollars from victims.
Here's how it works. A SIM card holds identifying information inside a mobile device, unique to the owner. The FBI says crooks impersonate a customer and trick a cellular provider into switching a victim's service to a SIM card that they cyber criminal controls. Criminals have also also gained access to SIM cards by illegally paying cell phone employees for access. The FBI also said criminals do 'smash-and-grabs' where the thief grabs a managers tablet in a cell phone store, runs out, and gains access to customers' accounts.