Hackers accessing PayPal via voicemail? Security expert says it's possible

Voicemail systems have had some of the same weaknesses for decades, and hackers could use those to break into PayPal and WhatsApp accounts

With just a simple script and a $40 virtual phone number, a hacker could automatically break into voicemail accounts at scale, and parlay that access into control over online accounts including WhatsApp or PayPal, or even track someone's every move.

Martin Vigo, a Spanish hacker who works in mobile security, presented new research at the Def Con hacking conference in Las Vegas, demonstrating how easy it could be for a motivated attacker to break into phone voicemails, and how much more damaging that security breach could be than simply letting an attacker listen to messages.