evidence: With full access to the victim’s "new" phone — and the information on it — the criminal can now reset the passwords on every account that uses the phone number for auto recovery. The victim’s phone may also be used to hack into other aspects of his or her life. With access to payment apps, emails, photographs, financial sites and other sensitive data, the criminal can use it to steal money or blackmail and threaten the victim. Even sites that use two-factor authentication may now be accessed. When credit card companies and banks see a red flag in spending habits they may call the customer’s number. However, the call may go to the criminal. In the case of an email, the criminal may have changed the email password, leaving the victim unable to sign in to his or her account. [...] Criminals are constantly finding newer ways to scam people. They use a combination of technology and tactics to gain access to information. As in this case, criminals use personal information to deceive phone company customer service representatives. Phone hijacking is just one of the many crimes that may lead to identity theft.