It is one of the fastest-growing phone line hacking tricks. Organised gangs alter the meters set up by telephone companies and take advantage of businesses using dial-through functions to get messages/communications while travelling on the road. 

In such cases, the tricksters hack the phone systems with basic features and ring out premium-rate numbers or expensive international numbers for their clients. 

They target a business that allows workers to call in from outside and use their lines to make phone calls. Often, it requires a PIN, and sometimes, the passwords are not changed from the pre-set codes. As a result, such calls go undetected when the number owner does not know it allows calling premium numbers. 

Nevertheless, when the business is closed for more than a week in the holiday season, the company may not notice any unusual activity until they return to work. 

How Does It Happen?

The fraudsters access the switchboard of the line and sell it to people to make their calls through the number. They may change the plan to a premium plan that supports international calls. 

In some cases, they get a phone line with a fake identity. They have no intention to pay the bills; they use the services and leave it with bad debts.  

How To Reduce the Risks?

• Change the PIN/passwords frequently, especially when employees are leaving.

• Restrict access to call provisions use barring plans during holidays.

• Check the network provider and alert them if you have been excessively charged.

• Ensure the telephone system is current and has all the security provisions.

• Conduct audits of the system and ensure the staff in the office is trained to handle any such risks.