Scammers hacked her phone and stole thousands so how did they get her details

When her phone suddenly froze and restarted, she thought it was nothing more than a technical glitch. Minutes later, the real nightmare began. Messages from her bank appeared one after another, confirming transactions she had never made. Within a short span of time, thousands of pounds had vanished from her account. By the time she reached a bank representative, the scammers were already gone, leaving behind financial loss, confusion and fear. Her experience has become increasingly common as criminals develop new ways to exploit the growing number of digital weaknesses in everyday life.

Data breaches open the door for targeted scams

Experts say one of the biggest risks facing consumers today is the massive increase in data breaches. Every year, millions of names, phone numbers, home addresses and email accounts leak from companies and online services. This information travels quickly through criminal networks, where scammers use it to personalise their attacks. When criminals know your name, your phone number or even the shops you use, they can create convincing messages or calls that sound legitimate. For many victims, the first question they ask is how scammers got their details in the first place. Too often, the answer is hidden in a breach they never even knew occurred.

Personal information becomes criminal currency

In the digital age, information is as valuable as money. Criminals collect stolen data like puzzle pieces, combining details from various breaches to build complete profiles of potential victims. A leaked email from one site and a leaked phone number from another can easily be matched. With this information, scammers can bypass security questions, impersonate trusted organisations or send targeted phishing attacks that appear genuine. Victims rarely realise their details have been circulating for months until the moment criminals strike. What feels like a sudden attack is often the result of long term data harvesting.

How phone takeovers give scammers full control

Many victims described attacks that began with something as simple as a misleading text message or a fake security alert. Once a person taps a link or downloads a malicious file, scammers can install spyware or capture security codes. In some cases, criminals convince mobile providers to transfer a victim’s phone number to a new SIM card. This gives them access to verification codes, banking apps and personal messages. Once they control the phone, they can lock the victim out of their own accounts and drain funds before anyone notices. These attacks are sophisticated and often executed with alarming speed.

Why awareness is declining despite rising threats

Ironically, the constant headlines about data breaches may be causing people to pay less attention, not more. Many shrug off breach notifications because they have received so many, assuming their risk has not changed. But cybersecurity specialists warn that every breach increases vulnerability. Criminals may not act immediately, but they store information for future use, combining old and new data to launch effective scams. The sense of desensitisation makes people less cautious at the exact moment they need to be more aware. This disconnect between awareness and behaviour leaves many exposed.

Steps that help prevent becoming the next victim

Security experts recommend that people treat data breaches seriously, even if the leaked information seems harmless. Using unique passwords, enabling two factor authentication and avoiding links sent via text can reduce risk. Regularly checking account activity and updating security settings are also crucial. Mobile providers can add extra verification steps to prevent SIM swap attacks. Most importantly, people should pause before reacting to urgent messages that claim to be from banks or government agencies. Scammers rely heavily on pressure and fear to lower their targets’ defences.

A reminder that anyone can be targeted

The woman who lost thousands never imagined she would be caught in a scam. She considered herself cautious and rarely clicked on suspicious links. But with criminals becoming more strategic and data breaches more frequent, even careful digital habits may not be enough without staying informed and vigilant. Her story highlights a broader reality: anyone can become a target when their personal details end up in the wrong hands. Understanding how these attacks happen is a first step toward protecting ourselves in an increasingly connected world.