Your phone number seems harmless, right?
Something you give out freely at shops, events, WhatsApp groups, job applications… even to strangers.

But what many Nigerians don’t know is this:

A skilled scammer can empty your entire bank account with only your phone number — nothing else. No BVN, no NIN, no ATM card. Just your mobile number.

This article breaks down exactly how this dangerous new method works, the real attacks happening in Nigeria, and the smartest ways to protect your money right now.

Why Your Phone Number Is Now the New “Master Key”

Your number is connected to:

• Bank alerts (SMS)
• WhatsApp (identity + contacts)
• NIN database apps
• Social media
• Two-factor authentication (2FA)
• Bank apps
• Loan apps
• USSD transactions
• SIM registration systems

Scammers know that your entire digital identity is tied to one number.

Once they compromise it, they don’t need your password or ATM card — they can reset your accounts, intercept OTPs, impersonate you, and gain access to your funds.

The 3 Scariest Ways Scammers Drain Your Account Using Only Your Phone Number

These methods are real, currently used in Nigeria, and were confirmed by victims, cybersecurity researchers, and telecom insiders.

SIM Swap Fraud (The Most Dangerous One)

This is when a criminal convinces your network provider to transfer your number to their own SIM card.

The moment they succeed:

• They receive your bank alerts
• They intercept OTP codes
• They reset your mobile banking apps
• They get access to WhatsApp, email recovery, fintech apps, etc.

Real Case (Lagos, 2024):

A GTBank customer lost ₦1.8 million within 12 minutes after a scammer swapped his SIM.
The attacker reset his app password, received the OTP, logged in, and transferred the money instantly.

Call Forwarding Trick (Hidden in Your Phone Settings)

Scammers sometimes get victims to dial codes like:

• *21*number#
• *62*number#
• *67*number#

These secretly forward all your calls to the scammer, including:

• Calls from your bank
• Automated 2FA verification calls
• WhatsApp verification calls

Case Study:

A woman in Abuja lost ₦350,000 after dialing a “network fix code” sent by a scammer.
She unknowingly activated call forwarding to the attacker’s line.

Social Engineering + Bank App Reset (Most Common Today)

With just your phone number, scammers can:

• Look up your full name
• Find your bank
• Check your social media info
• Guess security questions
• Reset your banking app

They don’t need your BVN or ATM card.

If they can guess your email password (often reused), they:

• Take over your inbox
• Request OTP via email
• Reset your bank app
• Transfer funds

How Scammers Get Access to Just Your Phone Number

• WhatsApp groups
• Airtime/data giveaways
• Online registrations
• Job forms
• POS agents
• Public directories
• Loan apps
• Dating apps
• Telegram groups
• Fake bank promos
• Online shopping forms
• Business cards
• Facebook ads
• WiFi captive portals

If your number is everywhere, it’s easy to target you.

How to Protect Your Bank Account and Phone Number (2025 Guide)

These are expert-level protections recommended by cybersecurity analysts and NDPA-compliant privacy guidelines.

1️⃣ Activate a SIM Lock (Most Important Step)

Dial:

MTN: *785# → SIM lock

Glo: SMS “LOCK” to 127

Airtel: Customer care

9Mobile: Customer care

This prevents SIM swaps without your physical presence.

2️⃣ Tell Your Network Provider to Add a “No-Swap” Flag

A customer service agent can place a special protection note on your line.

This makes it extremely difficult for scammers to do a SIM swap.

3️⃣ Set 2FA on Your Email and Use a Strong Password

Your email is the gateway to your bank app.

Use a password like:
Goat!City#4912

Not:
james123
password
myname2023

Enable 2FA with Google Authenticator.

4️⃣ Disable Call Forwarding Now

Dial these codes to cancel ALL forwarding (safe for all networks):

##21#
##62#
##67#

You’ll see a confirmation message.

5️⃣ Never Share Your Number Carelessly

Especially not on:

• WhatsApp TV pages
• Facebook comment sections
• Loan app ads
• Telegram investment groups
• Online giveaways
• Betting groups

6️⃣ Use Bank App PIN Protection

Set:

• App PIN
• Biometric lock
• Transaction PIN
• Email 2FA
• SIM lock

Layered protection stops 99% of attacks.

7️⃣ Avoid Storing OTPs on Your Phone

Delete OTPs immediately after use.

Some malware apps scan SMS messages silently.

Data & Statistics: Why This Matters

• SIM swap fraud increased by 80% in Nigeria between 2022–2024 (Cybersecurity Research Institute).
• 84% of online scams in Nigeria start with your phone number (EFCC / NCC data review).
• More than 3 million Nigerians have experienced identity-related fraud in the last 24 months.
• Bank-related fraud cases rose to ₦5.4 billion losses in 2024 alone.

Table: Signs Your Phone Number Has Been Compromised

Warning Sign	What It Means
Suddenly no network	SIM swap attempt
WhatsApp logs you out	Someone trying to use your number
Strange bank alerts	Unauthorized access
Calls not reaching you	Call forwarding active
Bank app keeps resetting	Someone is trying to take over
SMS not coming in	SIM profile tampered

What to Do If You Suspect Your Number Is Compromised

1. Immediately dial ##21# and ##62#
2. Call your bank and request “Account Freeze – suspected SIM compromise”
3. Visit your network center and ask them to block all swap attempts
4. Change your email and bank passwords
5. Enable 2FA across all accounts
6. Report to NITDA: dpo@ndpc.gov.ng
7. Report to your bank fraud desk

FAQ: Nigerians Ask These Questions Daily

1. Can someone hack my bank account with only my phone number?

Yes. Through SIM swap, social engineering, call forwarding, and banking app resets.

2. Does sharing my phone number online put me at risk?

Absolutely. Scammers collect numbers from public places.

3. Can my bank protect me from SIM swap fraud?

Only partially. Most protection has to come from your phone settings.

4. Is NIN related to phone-number fraud?

Indirectly — many apps link phone numbers to NIN profiles.

5. Can someone steal my WhatsApp with just my number?

Yes, if call forwarding or SIM swap occurs.

Final Thoughts: Your Phone Number Is Your New Identity — Guard It Like Cash

Nigeria is now a hot zone for phone-number-based identity theft.

Scammers don’t need:

• Your BVN
• Your ATM card
• Your PIN
• Your NIN

They need only your phone number.

Protect it like your bank account.