A best-selling food writer has been a victim of ‘Simjacking.’ Around £5000 was stolen after criminals moved Jack Monroe’s mobile phone number to a new SIM card, allowing them to gain access to bank payments through the two-factor authentication messages received.  Mobile customers can request to keep their existing number when moving to a new service provider, and as in this case, criminals can use personal information to fraudulently do this.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-50043230

Monroe’s date of birth was on Wikipedia.  To help prevent similar attacks, do not give out personal information e.g. DOB to untrustworthy sources and be aware of what details you publish about yourself online.  Also consider other multi-factor authentication methods for bank services and other important accounts.  Victims of this kind of attack are advised to contact their mobile provider, Action Fraud and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).