What to do if…
you stop receiving text messages and cannot get SMS verification codes

What to do now

1. Check whether this looks like a number takeover.

   • Look for sudden “No Service”, calls failing, texts failing both ways, or mobile data dropping.
   • Look for any carrier notice about a SIM change, eSIM activation, number transfer, port request, password reset, or account change you did not request.
   • If any of these are present, move straight to steps 3, 4, and 5.

2. Do quick local checks, but do not spend long on them.

   • Toggle Airplane mode off and on, then restart the phone.
   • Ask someone nearby to send you a normal text, and try sending one back.
   • Check blocked numbers, spam folders, unknown-sender filters, and message-filtering settings.
   • Check whether only verification or short-code texts are missing, or whether all texts and calls are failing.

3. Contact your wireless carrier from another phone or trusted support route. Ask them to:

   • Confirm whether there has been a recent SIM change, eSIM activation, port request, number transfer, device change, or account password change.
   • Stop or reverse any change you did not authorize.
   • Confirm that your line is active and provisioned to receive SMS and short-code messages.
   • Check whether any account-level, spam, premium-message, or short-code block is preventing verification texts.
   • Add any available account protections, such as a carrier account passcode, number-transfer lock, port-out protection, or transfer PIN.

4. Secure the accounts that could lock you out of everything else.

   • Start with your primary email, banking, password manager, and Apple or Google account.
   • Use a trusted device that is already signed in where possible.
   • Change the password on your primary email account if you suspect takeover.
   • Where the service offers it, switch from SMS codes to an authenticator app, passkey, or hardware security key.
   • Save new backup codes somewhere safe if the service provides them.
   • If you are locked out, use the service’s official recovery page and choose options that do not depend on SMS where available.

5. If money or identity theft is possible, contact financial accounts now.

   • Call banks, credit card issuers, and payment apps using official numbers or in-app support.
   • Ask them to watch for account takeover, unusual transfers, new payees, password resets, and contact-detail changes.
   • Review recent transactions and alerts from the last few days.

6. Report or escalate when the immediate calls are done.

   • If someone may have used your identity or financial details, use IdentityTheft.gov for recovery steps.
   • If your carrier is not resolving a SIM-swap, port-out, or phone-number problem, file an FCC consumer complaint.
   • Keep carrier case numbers and complaint confirmation numbers together.

7. Create a simple evidence trail.

   • Write down dates, times, carrier contacts, case numbers, and what each person said changed on your line.
   • Save screenshots or emails about SIM changes, eSIM activations, port requests, password resets, or new sign-ins.
   • If you have financial loss, ask your bank, insurer, or local authorities what documentation they need before filing extra reports.