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Landline identity theft is an emerging threat that gives scammers backdoor access to your accounts.
An old phone number, especially a mistake landline, can help them ignore safety and eliminate your savings.
Here’s how this happens and how to stop it.
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Is your phone hack? How to tell and what to do
A man on a phone call using a landline telephone (Kurt “Cybergui” Notson)
How did the landline identity theft drought a bank account
Richard of Reno, Nevada shared a disturbed story. His friend lost money for scammers as his old landline number was still connected to a bank account.
It began with a credit alert, asking if the friend opened a new card. He said no and thought that the issue was resolved.
But soon after that, they could not reach their bank or investment accounts. Despite being enabled transactions, the money had already gone.
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
Scammer did not hack a password. Instead, they used a safety flaws, an old landline is still listed on the file.
“My friend had an old but active landline that was attached to his bank account,” Richard said. “The thief convinced the phone company to port the number on a mobile device. Then he used it to stop the safety code and drain the account.”
Scammer requested a password reset. The bank sent a verification code to the old number, which is now controlled by the scammer. That code allowed them to replace the login, lock the victim and move funds.
Credit Monitoring caught the new credit investigation but failed to detect fraud inside the existing accounts. By the time the reach was restored, the money had disappeared.
A man is shouting in a landline phone phone receiver (Kurt “Cybergui” Notson)
Why is it easy to pull landline identity theft
This scam throws light on how the identity thieves develop. They do not always require advanced equipment. Sometimes, they only use details you have forgotten.
Number porting role
The attacker used number porting, a procedure meant that helping people keep their number while switching the carrier. It is valid, unless scammers exploit it.
In this case, the thief pretended to suffer and asked the phone company to transfer the landline number to a mobile device. Once the number became activated, they found calls and texts, including two-factor authentication (2FA) code.
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How old contact information creates new risk
Many people forget to update recovery settings after creating an account. But an old phone number or email can still get the security code. If a scammer receives control of those recovery tools, your accounts are widespread.
Ignoring the weaknesses working this attack
Even small intervals in your safety settings can cause major problems. These were the major weaknesses in this case:
Old phone numbers are connected for a very long time
Scammers can also kidnap passive numbers through porting. If those numbers still join your bank or email, they become an easy goal.
Credit monitoring may miss real -time fraud
The equipment monitoring new credit accounts will not always detect unauthorized transactions in your existing banks or investment accounts.
Weak 2FA setup can be kidnapped
2FA is helpful, but only when the linked phone number or email is safe. If a scammer controls that method, they can bypass your safety.
An old style landline telephone next to the smartphone (Kurt “Cybergui” Notson)
How to stop landline identity theft
You cannot stop scammers from trying, but you can make them very difficult to succeed. Use these steps to reduce your risk.
1. Audit your account recovery option: Check your recovery settings on every important account. Remove old phone number or backup email. Place only active, safe option on the file.
2. Use an authentic app: Authenticator apps such as Google authenticator, auto, or microsoft authenticator generate login code on your device. This text is safe than relying on messages, which can intercept scams.
3. Freeze the porting with your carrier: Contact your phone provider and ask about port-out security. This feature prevents scammers from transferring your number without additional identity verification such as PIN or In-Person Requests.
4. Remove your information from data broker sites: Scammers collect personal details such as older numbers from public broker listing. Use the service removal service to eradicate this information from the web. See my top pics for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already on the web Cyberguy.com/delete.
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5. Monitor your bank activity directly: Set the alert through your bank for every transaction. Log in regularly, even if you have not received any warnings, to catch fraud rapidly.
6. Use password manager: A strong, unique password protects each account. A tool like password manager makes and stores a complex password for you. This password also tracks health and alerts you to potential violations. Find out more about my best expert-review password managers of 2025 Cyberguy.com/passwords.
7. Consider complete identity theft conservation: Even with strong passwords and 2FA, your personal information can still be revealed. An identity theft security service offers up to $ 1 million in dark web monitoring, account alert and some identity theft insurance. See my tips and how to protect yourself from theft of identity Cyberguy.com/DentTheft.
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Kurt’s major takeaways
The theft of landline identity suggests that forgotten account settings can turn into serious hazards. Take a few minutes to review your recovery options. Switch to authenticator apps. Set port-out security. And do not rely on credit monitoring alone, it cannot catch everything. These simple stages can help you develop scams and protect your most important accounts.
Have you experienced a similar scam or have seen a new strategy? Write us and tell us Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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