AT&T Customer Phone Hacking Tied To Terrorists

theodp writes "Have you ever hacked into AT&T customer accounts and diverted money to terrorism-financing groups? You will. In 2003, the NY Times reported that AT&T contended U.S. victims of a Philippines-based telephone hacking swindle were responsible for long-distance calls fraudulently made through their voice mail systems. At the time, the city of East Palo Alto was slapped with a $30,000 long-distance phone bill that resulted from voice-mail hacking. Fast forward to 2011, and the NY Times is reporting that a Philippines-based group hacked into the accounts of AT&T business customers in the U.S. and diverted money to an organization that financed terrorist attacks across Asia. But it's not quite deja-vu-all-over-again. While it'd make a better story if AT&T contended customers were responsible for the charges and any ensuing terrorism, AT&T reimbursed the victims of the hacking this time around."

Comments

Of all places, EPA?

[jpapon]

If you're looking to swindle money from people, EPA (East Palo Alto) isn't such a great place to start. You'd be much better off looking west over the freeway. That's where all the money is.... but I guess if you're a hacker living in the Philippines you wouldn't know that.

Re:Who needs voicemail?

[Zero__Kelvin]

"I had to spend over an hour with customer service before I got them to block all billing to my mobile phone account."

Could you tell us how you did it? No matter what I try, I keep getting a bill every month :-(

Who hasn't?

[Hognoxious]

Have you ever hacked into AT&T customer accounts and diverted money to terrorism-financing groups?

Of course, hasn't everybody?