Unauthorized Port Outs

Stay a step ahead of the scammers. Educate yourself on some of the most common frauds and scams.

I need to report an unauthorized transfer of my service (Unauthorized Port Out).

If you received a message from Verizon advising that your mobile telephone number was moved or is being moved or you generated a Number Transfer Pin and you did not make this request, contact us immediately by dialing *611. This is an airtime-free call and will work even if your device has been deactivated. You can also call 1-800-922-0204 from any phone. If you need to contact us after regular business hours, Chat With Us and, after logging in, type ‘Live Agent’ into Verizon Chat Assistant to access 24 hour live chat support.

What is an Unauthorized Port Out?

A Port Out occurs when a customer transfers their mobile service and phone number to another carrier. An Unauthorized Port Out occurs when the mobile telephone number tied to a customer’s account is moved to another provider without the customer’s authorization. Criminals can use Port Out as a way to hijack your line, intercept your calls and SMS messages and receive authentication security codes from social media, banks, credit card companies, cryptocurrency exchanges and other financial institutions, allowing them to potentially access those accounts and cause financial and reputational harm to the customer. With an Unauthorized Port Out, it takes a longer time for a compromised customer to recover their service back to the Verizon network. 

How do Unauthorized Port Outs work?

Criminals typically use Port Outs as a way to steal your phone number so they can access your financial or social media accounts. They often start by gathering as much personal information as they can from social media, the Internet, the dark web, previously compromised accounts, and through . The criminals use this information to pretend they are you to gain access to your account and transfer your mobile number to their account with another carrier. Once they’ve transferred your number, calls and texts to you route to the phone in the criminal’s control. At that point, the criminal’s can use their phone to receive authentication security codes or calls that banks and other companies use to safeguard customer accounts. In some cases, you might not know this has even happened until your phone no longer works.

Phishing

Phishing occurs when criminals send you fraudulent requests for personal information, usually posing as a company or government agency.

What can I do to protect against Unauthorized Port Outs?

Preventing Port Outs starts with guarding your personal information from hackers. Protect your account by following these best practices for security:

  1. Add Number Lock. At no cost to you, Number Lock offers you the ability to lock lines on your account to prohibit the port out of your number. 
  2. Use strong and unique passwords. Each of your online accounts should have a strong and unique password or passphrase. Resist the temptation to reuse passwords, especially between social media and financial accounts. Always enable two-factor authentication wherever it’s available. Use a password manager to create and manage complex passwords.
  3. Be suspicious of unsolicited texts, e-mails, and calls, especially those urging you to act immediately and provide personal details. Verizon will never contact you to request any password, PIN, social security number, or payment information. If you receive a suspicious text message claiming to be from Verizon, please forward it to us right away at S-P-A-M (7726), then delete it.
  4. Give your online security posture an upgrade. If you have been the victim of an attempted Unauthorized Port Out, you should change the passwords for services like your online banking and e-mail immediately. Use the “security dashboard” of your e-mail provider to look for any suspicious logins from computers or locations you don’t know. Change your passwords on a regular basis and review your credit report often to check for any unauthorized accounts or inquiries. Review Verizon’s tips for preventing phishing attacks.

How do I add Number Lock?

At no cost to you, Number Lock offers you the ability to lock your account to prohibit the processing of requests to Port Out your number.

Only authorized Account Owners or Account Managers can enable or disable Number Lock for all lines on the account. 

My Verizon Mobile App

How Verizon Postpaid Customers can add Number Lock using the My Verizon Mobile App:

  1. Sign in to My Verizon.
  2. Select Account Tab at the bottom of the app screen.
  3. Select Edit Profile and Settings (Under Welcome and Your Name).
  4. Scroll to the Security Menu.
  5. Select Number Lock.
  6. Select the appropriate number(s) to protect (i.e., by toggling On or Off).
  7. Save the changes.
    My Verizon Desktop

    How Verizon Postpaid customers can add Number Lock using My Verizon website:

    1. Sign in to My Verizon.
    2. Go to Account > Account Settings > Security Settings.
    3. Scroll to Number Lock under the Security menu. 
    4. Select Edit.
    5. Select the appropriate number(s) you want to protect (i.e., by toggling On or Off).
    6. Save the changes.
    My Verizon Mobile App.

    How Verizon Prepaid customers can add Number Lock using the My Verizon Mobile App:

    1. Sign in to My Verizon.
    2. Select Account Tab at the bottom of the app screen.
    3. Select Edit Profile and Settings (Under Welcome and Your Name).
    4. Scroll to the Security Menu.
    5. Select Number Lock.
    6. Select the appropriate number(s) to protect (i.e., by toggling On or Off).
    7. Save the changes.
      My Verizon Desktop

      How Verizon Prepaid customers can add Number Lock using My Verizon website:

      1. Sign in to My Verizon.
      2. Go to Account > Account Settings > Security Settings.
      3. Scroll to Number Lock under the Security menu. 
      4. Select Edit.
      5. Select the appropriate number(s) you want to protect (i.e., by toggling On or Off).
      6. Save the changes.
      • Verizon Wireless Business customers: This feature is available through the My Business application or webpage and My Business Application (Find out how on the My Business Support page).

      When Number Lock is enabled on a line, the status of the line is changed to Locked. A Locked line cannot process a Port Out until Number Lock is disabled. This ensures that your number is protected from Unauthorized Port Outs. 

      When Number Lock is enabled, you will receive a notification via a text message that the feature is turned on and active.

      How do I remove Number Lock?

      Number Lock Disablement: When you are looking to port your number to another service provider, simply turn Number Lock off. When you change the Number Lock status to Unlocked, you will be able to complete a Port Out for the lines on your account.

      Only authorized Account Owners or Account Managers can enable or disable Number Lock for all lines on the account. 

      My Verizon Mobile App.

      How Verizon Post Paid customers can disable the Number Lock in My Verizon App:

      1. Sign in to My Verizon.
      2. Select Account Tab at the bottom of the app screen.
      3. Select Edit Profile and Settings (Under Welcome and Your Name).
      4. Scroll to the Security Menu.
      5. Select Number Lock.
      6. Select the appropriate number(s) to disable (by toggling Off).
      7. Save the changes. 

      When a Post Paid customer turns off Number Lock, there is no 15 minute waiting period.

        My Verizon Desktop

        How Verizon Post Paid customers can disable the Number Lock using My Verizon website:

        1. Sign in to My Verizon.
        2. Go to Account > Account Settings > Security Settings.
        3. Scroll to Number Lock under the Security menu. 
        4. Select Edit.
        5. Select the appropriate number(s) you want to disable by toggling off.
        6. Save the changes.
        My Verizon Mobile App

        How Verizon Prepaid customers can disable the Number Lock in My Verizon Application:

        1. Sign in to My Verizon.
        2. Select Account Tab at the bottom of the app screen.
        3. Select Edit Profile and Settings (Under Welcome and Your Name).
        4. Scroll to the Security Menu.
        5. Select Number Lock.
        6. Select the appropriate number(s) to disable (by toggling Off).
        7. Save the changes.

        When a Pre Paid customer turns off Number Lock, there is a 15 minute waiting period after disablement in order for the customer to be able to generate the Number Transfer PIN. 

        To prevent unauthorized users from taking control of your line, we encourage you to keep the Number Lock on.

        My Verizon Desktop

        How Verizon Prepaid customers can disable the Number Lock using a My Verizon website.

        1. Sign in to My Verizon.
        2. Go to Account > Account Settings > Security Settings.
        3. Scroll to Number Lock under the Security menu. 
        4. Select Edit.
        5. Select the appropriate number(s) you want to disable by toggling off.
        6. Save the changes.