[E. Pluribus Unum]

They’re stealing your phone NUMBER

I didn’t see in the article HOW they are doing that.

Your phone number is registered to your SIM card. Move the SIM card to another phone and the new phone rings when you dial the number.

The thief called the phone company and tricked them into registering the guy's phone number to a new SIM card in the thief's possession.

[cuban leaf]

The thief called the phone company and tricked them into registering the guy’s phone number to a new SIM card in the thief’s possession.

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Amazing. For me it was all physical. They took the SIM card out of my phone, inserted and programmed the new one to my number (making the old one worthless), and done.

Based on what you said, it is the phone company that was fooled here - and therefore responsible for damages.