Crime
What’s worse than thieves breaking into your bank account? When they steal your phone number too

WASHINGTON (AP) — One Monday morning in May, I woke up and reached for my phone to envision the news and browse memes. But there was no signal. I couldn’t make calls or text messages.
But it turned out that this was the least of my problems.
Using my home Wi-Fi connection, I checked my email and saw a notification that $20,000 had been transferred from my bank card to an unfamiliar Discover Bank account.
I foiled the transfer and reported the cell phone issues, but my nightmare was just starting. A couple of days later, someone managed to transfer $19,000 from my bank card to the identical strange bank account.
I fell victim to a scam often called port-out hijacking, also often called SIM swapping. This is a less common type of identity theft. New federal laws aimed toward stopping port-out hijacking are currently being considered, however it is unclear how far they will go in stopping this crime.
Port-out hijacking goes beyond breaking into a store, bank, or bank card account. In this case, thieves take your phone number. Any calls or text messages go to them, not you.
Once your phone is compromised by a criminal, the identical steps you once took to guard your accounts, equivalent to two-factor authentication, will be used against you. It doesn’t help when your bank sends you a text message to confirm a transaction when the phone receiving the text message is within the hands of somebody attempting to hack into your account.
Even when you’re a reasonably tech-savvy person and follow all of the recommendations to guard your electronic devices and identity, this could still occur to you.
Experts say these scams will change into more common and complex, and data shows they are continually growing.
I’m not a tech-savvy person, but I’m a legal-trained journalist who focuses on financial reporting. Because of the highly online nature of my job, I used to be taught all of the methods of staying secure online: continually changing passwords with multi-factor authentication, logging out of apps I don’t use often, and keeping my personal information off the web.
Even though I used to be secure, I used to be vulnerable to criminals. And it took me quite a lot of time and work to get my money and phone number back.
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reports that SIM swap complaints increased by more than 400% between 2018 and 2021. There were 1,611 SIM swap complaints filed, with personal losses totaling more than $68 million.
The number of criminal complaints to the FCC has doubled from 275 complaints in 2020 to 550 reports in 2023.
Rachel Tobac, CEO of online security firm SocialProof Security, says the crime rate is probably going much higher because most identity thefts go unreported.
He adds that two-factor authentication is an outdated approach to keeping consumers secure because anyone can find their phone number, date of birth and Social Security number online through any number of public or private databases.
The possibility of thieves obtaining your personal information was exposed again Friday when AT&T said nearly all of its customer data was downloaded to an out of doors platform in a security breach two years ago. While AT&T said no personal information was leaked, cybersecurity experts warn that breaches involving telecom corporations expose customers to SIM swapping.
These days, changing a number from one phone to a different is straightforward and will be done online or over the phone. The process takes less than a couple of hours if the criminal has your personal information at hand.
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Consumers have to be smart about using different passwords and protections, Tobac said, but they also must “put pressure on the companies tasked with protecting our data.”
“We need to update consumer protection protocols,” she said, because two-factor authentication just isn’t enough.
FCC rules were recently modified to force corporations to do more to guard consumers from some of these scams.
In 2023, the FCC introduced rules that require wireless service providers to “adopt secure customer authentication methods before routing a customer’s phone number to a new device or to a new provider,” amongst other latest rules. Companies could require more information when a customer tries to port a phone number to a different phone, from requiring government identification, voice verification or additional security questions.
The rules were set to take effect July 8, but on July 5 the FCC granted telecom corporations a waiver that delays implementation of the principles pending further review by the White House Office of Management.
The wireless industry had been pushing for a delay, citing, amongst other things, that corporations need more time to comply. CTIA, which lobbies on behalf of the businesses, said the brand new rules would require major changes to technology and procedures each at wireless corporations and of their interactions with handset makers.
But experts say if FCC rules had been in effect back then, it might have been harder to steal my phone number.
Ohio State University professor Amy Schmitz says the FCC’s latest rules make it easier for consumers to guard themselves, however it still is dependent upon consumer motion and awareness.
“I still have doubts that consumers will be aware of this and take action to protect themselves,” she said.
It took ten days to get my number back from Cricket Wireless — and that was only after I told company representatives I used to be writing an article about my experience.
During that point, the scammer managed to access my bank account thrice and ultimately managed to transfer $19,000 from my bank card — though I removed my number from my bank account, froze my credit, modified all my passwords and took other measures.
Bank of America took motion to reverse a $19,000 wire transfer after I visited a branch near the AP office in Washington.
Cricket apologised for the error and said in an email that it “expects to provide a much better experience for customers”.
“Port-out fraud is a form of theft perpetrated by sophisticated criminals,” the corporate said in an emailed statement. “We have implemented measures to help defeat them, and we work closely with law enforcement, our industry, and consumers to help prevent this type of crime.”
An AT&T representative informed me in an email that “all carriers are working to implement the new FCC rules regarding number porting and SIM swaps.”
I’m still unsure how this person accessed my accounts – whether through my Social Security number, phone number, date of birth, or possibly a recording of my voice.
It was a painful lesson in how vulnerable we’re once we lose control over our personal data that’s so publicly available.
Crime
17-year-old accused in Texas

Caramelo Anthony, a 17-year-old who was accused of a deadly stab on the Torah in Texas, was released on Bond.
On Monday afternoon, Anthony was released from $ 250,000 bonds after his lawyer successfully ran a campaign to cut back it from the unique $ 1 million throughout the interrogation in the bond, ABC News Partner Plate Reported.
Talking to reporters after the hearing, his defender, Mike Howard, said that the brand new bond was “honest”, despite his desire to lower it to $ 150,000.
“Bond, as the judge said, should not be an instrument of oppression, should not keep people in prison, he should not punish,” Howard said, adding this “large and significant” amount, “I think that the judge rightly imposed reasonable conditions that will ensure both Karmelo and Anthony, but also the security of the community.”
As a part of his release, per Fox 4Anthony will probably be limited to home custody on the Parents’ House by Kostki. The teenager may even need to search for a permit before leaving the home, namely for trips related to the case, and he is not going to have the opportunity to depart without an adult accompanying him. He was excluded from using social media and can’t contact the victim’s family. If he violates any of his conditions, he risk returning to prison.
His release from the Collin Function prison appears 13 days after arrest for the murder of Austin Metcalf on April 2 during a gathering on the track, which was combined by the competing boys’ teams. It is claimed that in rainy delay Anthony stabbed Metcalf, also 17, during a tense meeting between them. Anthony, who confessed to stab, still argued that he was lively in self -defense. He was accused of first -degree murder in reference to the incident.

The judge considered several aspects, including Anthony’s age, lack of criminal history and his connections with the community, which were visible in the courtroom throughout the trial. The Dallas Morning News He informed that Anthony’s father testified in court on behalf of the character of his son, noting that he was the captain of the team of each football and track teams in highschool, and that he has two jobs. Several people appeared to support Anthony, including a football coach and a manager from one in all his two works.
The side of the Court Metcalf, which Dallas Morning News noticed, was also full, embraced his mother, father and a number of other relations. When the judge issued her rule, Metcalf’s mother hung her head and cried. Anthony, who participated in the hearing in a yellow overalls and handcuffs, didn’t react in a dignified way.
The judge also considered the quantity. Although the fundraiser for Anthony collected almost $ 500,000, Anthony’s father said that his family had not received these funds yet. Failing in the case meant that the family tried to maneuver, which also charges their funds.
After interrogation, the District Prosecutor of Collin, Greg Willis, told journalists the priority of his office, including subsequent steps, including the review of the Police Investigation in Frisco and presenting the case of the Great Jury in order to find out whether Anthony will probably be accused and the trial.
“We are afraid that as prosecutors it is justice, truth and responsibility, so we will go where the facts lead us,” said Willis.

(Tagstransate) crime
Crime
Family of Texas Teen, accused of a deadly stab of another teenager on the track, collected over $ 150,000 via the online fundraiser

The collection of money for a teenager accused of a deadly stabbing of another teenager during a meeting at the Texas track last week has almost USD 200,000.
Launched by the family of Carmelo Anthony, a 17-year-old from Texas, who’s accused of stabbing Austin Metcalf, also 17, during an intensive meeting between them, Dajndo Fundraiser reached USD 160,000 from Monday morning.
According to Anthony’s lawyer, Deric Walpole, his client demands self -defense on this matter. Talking with NBC Dallas-Fort Worth On Friday, other than the prison, wherein Anthony was detained, Walpole said: “I know that my client said it was a self -defense. I have no reason not to believe it, but I have to develop facts, talk to people and find out what is happening before I made some statements about what I think.”
He added: “I have no reason to think that it was not a self -defense at the moment.”
On Wednesday, April 2, around 10 am local time, it’s claimed that Anthony stabbed Metcalf after Metcalf asked to depart a specific area during the rain delay at a sports event at the Kuykeyndall stadium in Frisco, in accordance with the NBC Dalls-Fort value. Anthony, a competitor in a competitive team, apparently sat under the tent of the Metcalf team to avoid rainfall when Metcalf asked him to depart. When Anthony didn’t follow Metcalf in order that he wouldn’t touch him, allegedly Metcalf caught Anthony’s arm, leaning Anthony, using a knife from a backpack to stab Metcalf in his chest from escaping.
Metcalf suffered a stinging wound in his heart and was recognized as deceased at the scene of the incident, despite the attempts to save lots of his twin brother.
“I put my hand on (his chest), tried to stop (bleeding), grabbed his head and looked into his eyes. I just saw his soul. And this also took my soul,” said Twin Hunter Metcalfa Fox News.

Anthony was arrested and accused of killing the first degree, and is currently being detained in the Collin County prison for a bond of USD 1,000,000, which his lawyer is trying to cut back. He hopes to interrogate bonds this week.
Teenager Apparently he said the police“It is not alleged, I did it” that he was lively in self -defense and asked if Metcalf can be tremendous. Anthony’s father said The New York Post That his son was “provoked”.
“He was not an aggressor. He was not the one who started him,” said Andrew Anthony, adding: “Everyone has already adopted their assumptions about my son, but he is not what they make him.”
He explained that his son was a “good child” who works two works and maintains 3.7 GPs.
“I feel sorry for other parents and family, and words cannot explain how both (families) affected this tragedy,” he noted.
The online collection of money causes “false” narratives circulating after the consequence.
“The widespread narrative is false, unfair and harmful. As a family of faith, we are deeply grateful for all your support in this difficult period. Your prayers and help mean more for us than ever,” we read a fundraiser.
Collecting money on Gofundme In the case of family costs and Metcalf’s funeral, they brought 95% of their goal.

(Tagstransate) news
Crime
New research: Demlitization police departments do not increase crime

Richmond, Virginia – June 12: photo of George Floyd expected to the statue of confederate general Robert Lee on June 12, 2020 in Richmond, Virginia. Last week, the governor of Virginia Ralph Northam ordered the removal of Lee’s general statue as soon as possible, but court proceedings temporarily stopped these plans. Protests proceed in cities across the country after the death of George Floyd, who died in police detention in Minneapolis on May 25. (Photo eze amos/getty images)
Giving police departments equipment to military class does not reduce crime or increase safety based on two independent research. Studies appear in the course of the ongoing conversation concerning the importance of “rejecting the police” as a method.
IN “Police demilitarization and brutal crime“, Kenneth Lwande, a professor on the University of Michigan, questioned the claim that the military weapon exchange program reduced the crime rate, assaulting police officers and the variety of complaints towards police officers.
Finding problems in previously published data Lwande focused on the information available after ordering the Obama administration from 2015, required to demlate local police agencies. Answering public indignation after exposing the militarized police in Ferguson, Obama’s administration Forbade some Sales of military equipment to the police as a part of the controversial program 1033. Trump’s administration reversed this policy in 2017.
IN interview In the case of ABC, Lwande explained that earlier research found that the transfer of military equipment to police plots served as deterrent. But from his evaluation, evidence does not confirm such conclusions. “It’s just not an accurate record,” said Lwande. “[Prior studies] They clearly suggested that by transferring military police equipment, he would stop criminals from committing crimes. “
Published in the character of human behavior, London magazine, research emphasizes the reaper of Trump’s administration on potentially “unbelievable” data when making decisions about withdrawing restrictions from Obama’s time. After assessing previous research, Lipowde found that publicly published data utilized in previous studies were filled with inaccuracies. Earlier evaluation did not control the equipment that was transferred between agencies, unused or otherwise inoperable. In addition, Lwande did not find any evidence that the demilitarizing law enforcement authorities led to an increase in crime.
Program 1033, managed by the Defense Logistics Agency, is one in every of several ways through which law enforcement authorities acquire military assessment equipment. Established in 1997 as a part of the Act on authorization for national defense, is estimated Program 1033 has transferred over $ 7 billion in military equipment into $ 8,000 across the country. The program was originally created for the forces of “counteracting terrorism”, but later prolonged to cover all of the activities of law enforcement agencies.
Covering with the national uprisings this summer, several members of the Chamber introduced laws to eliminate the 1033 program in June. The Black Lives movement also published Act Breathe Act, a comprehensive legislative proposal, including financing specific politicians and the abolition of the police. Section I of the proposed respiratory act requires the opening of the 1033 program in its entirety.
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