Fixed identity theft leads to significant bank fraud

Fixed Identity Theft is an emerging threat that allows scammers access to the back gates on your accounts.

An obsolete phone number, especially forgotten fixed, can help them overcome security and drain your savings.

This is how it happens and how to stop it.

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Your phone is hacked? How to say and what to do

As the fixed identity theft was forgotten, he drained a bank account

Richard de Reno, snow, shared a worrying story. His friend lost money to the scammers because his old fixed number was still linked to a bank account.

Started with a credit alert asking if the friend had opened a new card. They said no and thought that the problem was resolved.

Shortly afterwards, they could not access their bank accounts or investment. Despite having the alert of transactions, the money had already disappeared.

What is artificial intelligence (AI)?

The scammer did not hack a password. Instead, they used a safety lagoon, an obsolete fixed line still appeared in the file.

“My friend had an old but active line linked to his bank account,” Richard said. “The thief convinced the telephone company to bring the number to a mobile device. Then they used it to intercept the security codes and drain the account.”

The scammer requested a password reset. The bank sent a verification code to the old number, now controlled by the scammer. This code allowed them to change their login, block the victim and move the funds.

Credit tracking captured the new credit consultation, but did not detect fraud within the existing accounts. When access was restored, the money had disappeared.

Why the fixed identity theft is so easy to get

This scam highlights how the thieves of identity evolve. They do not always need advanced tools. Sometimes they only use the details you have forgotten.

The role of the portion of numbers

The attacker used the port of numbers, a process aimed at helping people maintain their number to change carriers. It is legitimate, until the scammers explode.

In this case, the thief intended to be the victim and asked the telephone company to transfer the fixed number to a mobile device. Once the number was active, they received calls and texts, including the authentication codes of two factors (2FA).

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How much contact information age creates new risks

Many people forget to update the recovery settings after creating an account. But an obsolete phone or email number can still receive security codes. If a scammer obtains control of these recovery tools, your accounts are open.

The forgotten weaknesses that made this attack work

Even small lagoons in your safety parameters can lead to great problems. These were key vulnerabilities in this case:

Old phone numbers stay linked too long

The scammers can abduct even inactive numbers by means of the portion. If these numbers are still connected to your bank or email, they become an easy goal.

Credit Control may lose real -time fraud

The tools that control new credit accounts will not always detect unauthorized transactions in your bank or existing investment accounts.

The weak 2FA weak settings can be abducted

2Fa is useful, but only when the telephone number or linked email is safe. If a scammer controls this method, you can ignore your protections.

How to prevent fixed identity theft

You cannot stop the scammers from trying, but you can make it much harder to succeed. Use these steps to reduce your risk.

1. Audit your account recovery options: Check recovery settings to all important accounts. Delete old telephone numbers or backup emails. Keep only active and secure options in the file.

2. Use an authenticator app: Authenticer applications such as Google Authenticator, Authy or Microsoft Authenticator generate unique login codes on your device. This is more secure than relying on text messages, that scammers can intercept.

3. Freeze doors with your carrier: Contact your phone provider and ask about port protection. This feature prevents scammers from transferring your number without verifying additional identity as a pin or request in person.

4. Eliminate information from data runner: The scammers collect personal data, such as old numbers of the list of public runners. Use a data removal service to delete this web information. Check my best options for data removal and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already on the visiting website Cyberguy.com/delete.

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5. Direct directly your bank activity: Set alerts through your bank for each transaction. Sign in regularly even if you have not received a notice, to take fraud faster.

6. Use a password manager: A strong and unique password protects each account. A tool like a password manager creates and stores complex passwords for you. It also keeps track of the password of the password and alert you to possible breaches. Get more details about my best password managers reviewed by 2025 experts Cyberguy.com/passwords.

7. Consider the protection of complete identity theft: Even with strong passwords and 2f, your personal information can still be exposed. A identity theft protection service offers dark web control, accounts alerts and some offer up to $ 1 million in identity theft insurance. Check my tips and the best options on how to protect -you are from the theft of identity Cyberguy.com/identitytheft.

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Kurt’s Key Takeaways

Fixed identity theft shows that forgotten account configuration can become serious threats. Pull a few minutes to review your recovery options. Change to authenticer applications. Set up port protection. And do not rely on credit tracking alone, you can’t take everything. These simple steps can help you keep you in front of evolutionary scams and protect your most important accounts.

Have you experienced a similar scam or seen a new tactic? Do -us to know by writing -us to Cyberguy.com/contact.

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