Mobile phone hacking
13 July 2009
If you are concerned that somebody might have been accessing your voicemails then:
Firstly, you should ask your mobile service provider (Vodafone, Orange etc) to let you have a log of the activity on your voicemail. This will show you if your voicemail was accessed remotely. If you rarely, or never access your voicemail from a phone other than your own mobile then the chances are this shows someone else has done do.
Secondly, if your voicemail log shows no suspect activity – or if you cannot get to the information for any reason – there is a company that we know that uses forensics to get at this information. They will charge about £500 and we can put you in touch with them.
Thirdly, you should change your the factory settings on your voicemail to prevent illegal accessing. One of the ways people can get access to the voicemail messages on your mobile phone is by using the factory default setting for your pin code. All mobile phones start with factory (or 'standard') settings. To change the standard pin code for your own unique code, simply ring your voicemail and select the option to change your security pin number on the main menu. To be really safe switch off your voicemail. For more information read our guide ‘Phone tapping – 8 tips to protect your phone’.
If you have any other concerns about phone hacking or other invasions of privacy please contact us – 020 7034 9000.
News coverage and Schillings commentary
Phone-Hacking Scandal Continues – CNBC, 13 July 2009
New targets of tabloid phone hacking claimed – The Guardian, 12 July 2009
TV and film names consult their lawyers over phone hacking fears – The Guardian, 10 July 2009