For all my other online accounts, I have 'two step verification' in place (or two-factor authentication) as an extra 'layer' of protection'. That way, if someone was to get access to my Bigpond account, it would not be much use to them. Personally, I never use my Telstra Bigpond email address to register for any online accounts. Once there, they could do a heap of password resets for your online accounts that use that email address - given that many online accounts will let you choose a 'forgotten password' option, and send an email with a link for resetting the account password. The person who steals your mobile number could then log in to your Bigpond email account. I know that Telstra will send you a text with your Bigpond account password, as long as you provide a few identity details - identity details that are no so difficult to obtain if you are a scammer! It is worth definitely worth considering what might happen to all of your online accounts if someone was able to steal your mobile number. What does your own bank require? Can you request that a password reset link be sent to your mobile?ĭo any of your online accounts send a 'password reset' link (or a password) to your mobile number? If you can't provide the required two pieces of information, then you would have to call the Commbank call centre or visit a branch - and presumably convince the person on the other end of your identity. If your PIN is easily guessed (for example, it is your birthday, anniversary, or your postcode), then you could be in trouble.

You must provide a card number and your ATM PIN. I must say that I did check my own bank account after receiving Jeff's email, curious to see if my bank (Commbank) would text a password reset link to my mobile number if I chose their 'forgotten password' option.įortunately, Commbank requires you to enter 2 pieces of information before it will send you a message with a 'password reset' link. And here is the Money Smart website article about identify theft and fraud, and how to prevent it.Ĭan I request a 'password reset' text from my bank?.Here is such an article on 'mobile number porting', from June 2017.It is known as 'mobile number porting', and can happen when some is the victim of identity theft. The theft of mobile numbers - which can happen if someone gathers enough information about you (via 'snail' mail theft, social engineering, or other means) to set up a new SIM in your name and transfer your mobile number to that SIM - has been reported at various times in the press over the last 12 months or so.

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