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
Georgia Woman packed for embracing $ 500,000 from local business, the police are looking for a second suspect


The police in Dunwooda are looking for Nicole Allen, who’s accused of helping a former worker in a definition of just about $ 500,000 from local activities in Georgia inside two years.
According to the report of April 29 with A rough project of AtlantaFelicia Kelley was arrested and accused of “computer forgery” and “theft by fraud” after allegedly manipulating wages of pay and suppliers when he’s employed by nameless activities. Arrest The order was also issued for AllenWhoever the investigators claim was a co -person
The police claim that the embezzlement took place in Georgia between May 2022 and August 2024. The program went to light in December 2024, when the company’s management noticed irregularities in the financial documentation and started internal control. The audit revealed around USD 500,000 in unauthorized transactions.
Kelley, who was responsible for managing pay and paying company suppliers, allegedly modified spreadsheets were created This seemed justified when redirecting company funds for personal use. According to police, Allen helped Kelley in hiding the discrepancy.
An organization that was not publicly listed by the authorities reported Dunwood’s police findings, which prompted the criminal investigation. Detectives claim that they identified each women as key suspects through a review of monetary documents, e -small and internal systems.
From May 22, Kelley was arrested and Allen stays at large. Law enforcement authorities call everyone who has details about the place of stay of Allen to contact the Dunwoody Police Department.
None of the suspects issued a public statement and no procedural dates were announced. It can be unclear whether additional fees or further arrests are expected in the case.
This stays an energetic investigation.
Anyone who has details about the place of stay Nicole Allen is inspired to contact Detective Robert Ehlbeck On 678-382-6925 Or Robert.ehlbeck@dunwodyga.gov.
(Tagstranslat) fraud
Crime
RAPER ROD WAVE stands in front of a dozen or so loads, some of the weapons in Georgia

The rapper referred to as Rod Wave will face a dozen or so charges, some engage the gun after he entered the officials of the sheriff in Georgia on Tuesday.
Wave, whose real name is Rodarius Green, voluntarily surrendered to the Fulton Sheriff Office regarding orders arising from the Police call of April 21 in the suburbs of Milton in Atlanta, the police said.
“There is no truth in these allegations,” said the lawyers of rapper Findling and Marissa Goldberg in a statement for the Associated Press.
“Rod Green was a victim of burglary and did not commit any crimes,” they said. “How he was even accused as a result of this situation is incomprehensible. It will be absolutely resolved for Mr. Green.”
Police Milton responded to a house in the city north of Atlanta after the report from 911 described “possible home interference,” the police said in a statement.

The police said that the officers determined that the connection was related to previously unpaid burglary and release of firearms. Later they obtained arrest warrant for Green, who was a resident of the house.
The allegations include an exacerbated assault, a conspiracy aimed toward committing a crime, criminal property damage and referring or aiming at someone weapons and hindering legal officers, show the files of the Fulton Fulton prison. He can be accused of manipulating evidence – a crime – and obstructing legal officers.
He was released from Bond shortly after he turned the same day on Tuesday, the authorities reported.
The 26-year-old rapper in Florida is well known for his soul trap, a unique combination of R&B and Rap, which brought him 11 Singles Certified Platinum by the American Industry Association. Four of his six albums hit No. 1 on the best list of albums Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop, including his latest, “Last Lap” from 2024.
This yr he brought the title song Sing Title “Sinners” to the Ryan Coogler record, recognized by critics Hit with the same name.
Green grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he had not less than one past with the law before The national battery charge has been rejected in 2022
The ex -girlfriend accused Green of entering the house in the Orlando area and choke her, while their two children were in a different room, in response to the arrest warrant. They each arranged for about 4 years, and the girl told investigators that Green accused her of seeing other men during their breakdown.
Later, prosecutors told court officials that the case is just not suitable for prosecution.

(Tagstranslate) georgia
Crime
“Protection of his public image was very important”: a psychologist, former assistant to testimony at the Diddy trial

Dawn Hughes, a clinical and criminal psychologist certified by the management board, testified on Wednesday in a federal case for criminal trade against hip-hop tycoon “Diddy” Combs.
Hughes, who particularly testified as an authority in the process of defamation of Amber Heard and Johnny Depp in 2022, said that she was in court to provide contextual details about individuals who experience domestic violence and traumatic stress.
“They (survival that survived) experience great shame, humiliation, degradation,” said Hughes, discussing sexual abuse, According to CNN. “They don’t want to talk about it. They don’t even want to think about it in their brain.”
In the case of people used, Hughes testified that many remain in relations, and financial dependence and lack of resources are the most important aspects why someone stays.

She also talked about trauma ties and the way offensive relationships often have a component of love and kindness for them, which hinders the departure of individuals who survived.
“There is such a pattern of return and reconciliation and then returning,” Hughes testified.
During her testimony, she explained that abuse could seriously affect memory, which hinders individuals who survived the recall of individual incidents. However, individuals who survived can remember the event more often if it coincided with a significant date, comparable to the anniversary, holiday or birthday.
However, the defense lawyer Johnathan Bach was incompatible.
As interrogated Bach Dawn Hughes, she testified that she had not checked the specific details of the case. Her interrogation led to several side strips when the defense of the control of her six meetings with the prosecutor’s office, some of which took place after the trial began. As a blind witness, her role was only in providing knowledge about domestic violence and sexual abuse, not comments on the details of the case. She maintained that the discussions between the prosecutor’s office and her didn’t contain detailed details about the case.
Bach also questioned Hughes’s credibility, arguing that she approached the stand with a specific “perspective”. The court further warned that witnesses could possibly be “dangerous” because of the “aura of power” they carry.

After Hughes, he was a former executive assistant of Combs, George Kaplan, he took a position. Kaplan, who joined Combs Enterprises in 2013, testified that he worked from 80 to 100 hours a week. His duties included ensuring that the chef and cleansing staff were prepared for the whole day and preparing the Bathroom Comb with medicines. He exchanged each day connections with Combs, who expressed what he needed, allegedly included drugs or alcohol.
Kaplan also testified that part of his responsibility was to protect the image of Combs.
“Protecting him and protecting his public image was very important and it was something that I really wanted to do,” said Kaplan.
Kaplan testified that just about every month Combs allegedly threatened his work. Combs allegedly wanted to be surrounded by the best, and “people around him did not perform at this level,” Kaplan reminded.
At the starting of the day, a special agent Gerard Gannon ended his testimonies, expressing that agents who searched Comb ‘Miami Beach House in March 2024, found a range of pills and a “crystal substance resembling rock” in the Gucci COMBS bag. There were also six people at home, including a music producer, real estate manager and other facilities.
Looking to the future, the musician Kid Cudi is to testify on Thursday morning.

(Tagstranslate) Crime
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