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Landline identity theft is a growing concern that poses a threat by allowing scammers to gain unauthorized access to your accounts.
An old phone number, particularly an unused landline, can be exploited by scammers to bypass security measures and deplete your funds.
Here’s an explanation of how it occurs and ways to prevent it.
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IS YOUR PHONE HACKED? HOW TO TELL AND WHAT TO DO
A man on a phone call using a landline telephone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How a forgotten landline led to identity theft and drained a bank account
Richard from Reno, Nevada, shared a troubling incident where his friend fell victim to scammers due to their old landline number still being linked to a bank account.
It all began with a credit alert questioning whether the friend had opened a new credit card. Despite denying it and assuming the issue was resolved, they soon found themselves locked out of their bank and investment accounts, with the money already stolen.
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The scammer did not hack a password; instead, they exploited a security vulnerability – an outdated landline number still associated with the account.
“My friend had an inactive landline connected to their bank account,” Richard explained. “The scammer convinced the phone company to transfer the number to a mobile device, enabling them to intercept security codes and drain the account.”
The scammer initiated a password reset, prompting the bank to send a verification code to the old number, now controlled by the scammer. This code allowed them to change the login credentials, lock the victim out, and transfer the funds.
Although the new credit inquiry was flagged by credit monitoring, the fraud within the existing accounts went undetected. By the time access was restored, the money had vanished.
A man screaming into a phone receiver of a landline phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Reasons why landline identity theft is easily executed
This scam underscores how identity thieves can exploit forgotten account details without the need for sophisticated tools.
The significance of number porting
The scammer utilized number porting, a legitimate process intended to facilitate number retention when switching carriers. However, scammers abuse this process for their benefit.
In this instance, the scammer impersonated the victim to request the phone company to transfer the landline number to a mobile device. Once the number was active, they intercepted calls and texts, including two-factor authentication (2FA) codes.
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Risks posed by outdated contact information
Many individuals neglect to update recovery settings after creating an account. Nonetheless, an outdated phone number or email can still receive security codes. If a scammer gains control of these recovery tools, your accounts are left vulnerable.
The vulnerabilities that allowed this attack to succeed
Even minor gaps in your security settings can result in significant issues. The primary weaknesses in this scenario were:
Retention of old phone numbers for extended periods
Scammers can exploit inactive numbers through porting. If these numbers are still associated with your bank or email, they become susceptible targets.
Limited effectiveness of credit monitoring in detecting real-time fraud
Tools that monitor new credit accounts may not identify unauthorized transactions within your existing bank or investment accounts.
Potential hijacking of weak 2FA setups
While 2FA is beneficial, it is only effective when the linked phone number or email remains secure. If a scammer gains control of this method, they can bypass your security measures.
An older style landline telephone next to smartphone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Preventive measures against landline identity theft
You may not be able to prevent scammers from attempting, but you can make it significantly harder for them to succeed. Utilize these strategies to minimize your risk.
1. Review your account recovery options: Assess the recovery settings on all significant accounts. Remove old phone numbers or backup emails and retain only active, secure options.
2. Implement an authenticator app: Authenticator apps like Google Authenticator, Authy, or Microsoft Authenticator generate one-time login codes on your device, offering a safer alternative to text messages that scammers can intercept.
3. Secure number porting with your carrier: Reach out to your phone provider and inquire about port-out protection. This feature prevents scammers from transferring your number without additional identity verification, such as a PIN or in-person request.
4. Remove your information from data broker sites: Scammers obtain personal details, such as old numbers, from public broker listings. Utilize a data removal service to eliminate this information from the internet. Explore my top recommendations for data removal services and receive a complimentary scan to determine if your personal information is already available online by visiting Cyberguy.com/Delete.
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5. Monitor your bank activity directly: Set up alerts for every transaction through your bank. Regularly log in, even without receiving alerts, to detect fraud promptly.
6. Utilize a password manager: Employ a robust, unique password for each account. A password manager tool generates and stores complex passwords, tracks password strength, and alerts you to potential breaches. For more information on the best expert-reviewed Password Managers of 2025, visit Cyberguy.com/Passwords.
7. Consider comprehensive identity theft protection: Despite strong passwords and 2FA, your personal information remains susceptible to exposure. An identity theft protection service offers dark web monitoring, account alerts, and potentially up to $1 million in identity theft insurance. Explore my recommendations and tips on safeguarding yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com/IdentityTheft.
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Kurt’s key learnings
Landline identity theft underscores how neglected account settings can pose significant threats. Dedicate a few minutes to review your recovery options, transition to authenticator apps, establish port-out protection, and refrain from solely relying on credit monitoring, as it may not detect every threat. These simple measures can help you stay ahead of evolving scams and safeguard your most crucial accounts.
Have you encountered a similar scam or identified a new tactic? Inform us by reaching out to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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