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uk Technology & digital loss mobile number pending transfer • phone number porting scam • unauthorised number transfer • sim swap warning text • pac request you did not make • number port-out fraud • phone account takeover • lost mobile service suddenly • unexpected pac code message • mobile number hijacked • someone porting my number • mobile provider transfer pending • sms codes intercepted risk • bank texts not arriving • account recovery by sms risk • urgent stop number transfer • porting request not mine • sim change not requested

What to do if…
your mobile number shows a pending transfer you did not request

Short answer

Treat this as urgent: contact your mobile network provider immediately and tell them you have an unauthorised port/transfer pending, and you need it stopped and your account locked down.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t click links or call back numbers in the “transfer pending/PAC” message unless you independently find your provider’s official contact details.
  • Don’t share one-time passcodes (OTP), PAC codes, account PINs, or security answers with anyone who contacts you first.
  • Don’t “wait to see what happens” if the transfer is pending — delays can make it harder to reverse.
  • Don’t rely on SMS-based login codes right now for important accounts if you can avoid it.
  • Don’t factory reset your phone or delete messages before you’ve taken a few notes/screenshots of what you’re seeing.

What to do now

  1. Call your mobile network provider using an official route.
    Use the number on your provider’s website/app, on a recent bill, or on the back of your SIM packaging (not the text you received). Say: “Unauthorised port/transfer pending — stop it, add a block/lock, and require strong ID checks.”
  2. Ask your provider to do specific protective actions while you’re on the call.
    Request (wording varies by provider):
    • Cancel/stop the pending port/transfer and confirm it’s been stopped.
    • Lock your account (extra security note, porting block, number transfer lock, or “no port” marker).
    • Reset/replace any account PIN/passphrase and remove unknown email addresses/contacts.
    • Confirm whether a PAC was issued or requested and invalidate it if possible.
  3. If your service has already dropped, switch to a different way to communicate.
    Use Wi-Fi calling (if it still works), a trusted friend’s phone, or a landline to keep making calls while you stabilise the account. If you can, go to a provider shop with photo ID and ask for urgent account recovery and a new SIM (if appropriate).
  4. Protect your email first (it’s the key to most account resets).
    From a device you still control: change your email password, sign out of other sessions, and turn on a non-SMS second factor (authenticator app, passkey, or security key if you have one).
  5. Contact your bank(s) and any account that uses SMS codes.
    Tell them: “My mobile number may be being ported/sim-swapped; SMS codes may be intercepted.” Ask them to add a note and apply extra verification, and to check for suspicious transfers, new payees, or password resets.
  6. Make a brief incident record.
    Screenshot the “pending transfer/PAC” notice, note the time/date, what your phone showed (e.g., “No Service”), and any unusual calls/texts/emails. This helps if you need to prove timeline to your provider/bank.
  7. Report it through the UK reporting route for fraud.
    • England, Wales, Northern Ireland: report to Report Fraud.
    • Scotland: report to Police Scotland (101 or online reporting).
  8. If you received suspicious texts/emails connected to this, report them (using official reporting addresses).

What can wait

  • You don’t need to figure out who did this or “how they got your details” right now.
  • You don’t need to post publicly about it or warn everyone immediately — focus on stopping the transfer and securing key accounts first.
  • You don’t need to replace your phone today unless your provider/bank specifically identifies device compromise.
  • Longer-term monitoring steps can wait until your number is stable again.

Important reassurance

This situation is common enough that mobile providers and banks have processes for it. Feeling panicked makes sense — but the most effective move is simply to get your provider to stop the transfer and lock the account, then secure email and banking.

Scope note

These are first steps to stop the transfer, reduce immediate account takeover risk, and create a basic record. If money was taken or accounts were accessed, you may need additional help from your bank and the relevant reporting bodies.

Important note

This guide is general information, not legal, financial, or investigative advice. If anything feels unclear when you contact your provider or bank, ask them to repeat back what protections they have applied and what to expect next.

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