Is it possible to steal someone else's phone number to make calls and send messages?

Discussion in 'Tech Discussion' started by Eishun, Jun 19, 2021.

  1. Eishun

    Eishun Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2017
    Messages:
    1,310
    Likes Received:
    694
    Reading List:
    Link
    Back in the day, hackers could send out emails using email addresses that belonged to other people.

    For example, you might one day receive an email and the address in the sender's bar would be an exact match with your boss's email address.

    And then, because you trust the source, you would have no qualms about clicking on the link provided in the message. That was how many people got infected with viruses.

    Anyway, back to my question. Is it possible for hackers to steal phone numbers in the same way? I am asking because I've been receiving calls from total strangers and they all claimed that they had received missed calls from my number. Those people weren't even on my Contacts list, so there's no way I could've accidentally dialed their numbers.

    So what's going on?
     
  2. MahotsukiKonran

    MahotsukiKonran √¶∆℅¥×¶÷π√ ™°℅{^¢¡¿∆ \\£¥^√π¥℅¶∆÷√ ©¢¥®<®]¡¶∆¿

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2015
    Messages:
    527
    Likes Received:
    356
    Reading List:
    Link
    I believe it is possible to spoof a phone number. I think telemarketers do that to make you think your getting a call from your area code don't know how much is possible I think I saw them do something like that on a CSI show using an internet call program can't say I know if it is still possible
     
    Sabruness likes this.
  3. sweed

    sweed l.o.v.e.m.u.f.f.i.n.

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2015
    Messages:
    891
    Likes Received:
    791
    Reading List:
    Link
    Possible for mobile phones but idk about stationary phones.
     
  4. Ral

    Ral Not a Well-Known Member ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2016
    Messages:
    1,214
    Likes Received:
    923
    Reading List:
    Link
    Scammers still do it with bank phone numbers, etc.
     
  5. Neiri

    Neiri Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2016
    Messages:
    3,173
    Likes Received:
    2,078
    Reading List:
    Link
    possible or rather consider it possible . Can't be be too careful nowadays. Whether it through hacking or thieves stolen the phone .
     
  6. Deadmantellnotales

    Deadmantellnotales rebmeM nwonK-lleW

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2018
    Messages:
    410
    Likes Received:
    321
    Reading List:
    Link
    Yea it's possible. you need to contact the said telecommunication provider of the target. Or you call always buy malware from dark markets like Empire or something, you will find whatever you need there.
     
  7. Eishun

    Eishun Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2017
    Messages:
    1,310
    Likes Received:
    694
    Reading List:
    Link
    Well, mine's a mobile number.
     
  8. The Hamster Overlord

    The Hamster Overlord Mad scientist/Revered wizard/Alleged antichrist

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2018
    Messages:
    4,284
    Likes Received:
    4,555
    Reading List:
    Link
    Google it bruh
     
  9. skyfall3250

    skyfall3250 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2019
    Messages:
    507
    Likes Received:
    364
    Reading List:
    Link
    Yes it's possible. There was seminar for cyber awareness at my college where the guest speaker even demonstrated it for us. It was 2 years ago through.
     
  10. Munimuyi

    Munimuyi Chili <33

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2020
    Messages:
    378
    Likes Received:
    3,466
    Reading List:
    Link
    I think it's possible?
     
  11. Airlol

    Airlol Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2019
    Messages:
    366
    Likes Received:
    375
    Reading List:
    Link
    It's possible. I see some video showing it.
     
  12. MangoGuy

    MangoGuy Rambling Mango

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2016
    Messages:
    7,625
    Likes Received:
    8,697
    Reading List:
    Link
    It is very possible, and is happening increasingly. Someone impersonated me with my number and name and messaged a few of my friends for urgent loans. I don't know how best to deal with this current situation for you. At least for near and dear, warn them.
     
  13. phobos

    phobos Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2020
    Messages:
    375
    Likes Received:
    166
    Reading List:
    Link
    1 option would be spoofing when the caller use some fantasy number (or in that case yours) to hide their own (mostly for illegal advertisments,survey , call back traps or that nasty indian scammers posing as Microsoft support- once they did 13 calls in a single minute after i called them scammers 5 times before ending the call- they still call 30-80 times a month...)
    another way would be to take over your phone i think the infra-red interface was pretty vulnerable
     
  14. Jeebus

    Jeebus Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2017
    Messages:
    904
    Likes Received:
    780
    Reading List:
    Link
    There are a few ways for someone to make it look like they called with your number. The easiest way is to spoof your number on the caller ID. It's trivially easy to do that, and it's illegal to do in some countries.

    The second way is to SIM hack your phone. It usually involves using social engineering to get a cell phone company to send a new SIM card to the social engineer. If that happens, your current SIM card will usually stop working, so you'd know pretty quickly if that happens.

    The final way is if your phone is infected with malware. If your phone is infected, whoever is controlling the malware can do just about anything they want with your phone, including calling and texting.
     
    Wing0 and Deleted member 25261 like this.
  15. Deleted member 25261

    Deleted member 25261 Guest

    Reading List:
    Link
    Is your number pre paid and just changed? If yes, they used it to scam before u get it. If they used to scam while being your, spoofing or virus can be the answer.