How a Stranger Used One Text Message to Steal My Entire Digital Life -- Time

[Abolishinist]

43. I think what they're referring to (and like you, I struggled getting through the article)

is that the number that appeared on his phone was a legitimate number for Apple. I've had this happen on the landline at the office, where it appears the police department or whomever is calling because the number that shows IS their number. Somehow the scammers are able to do this. Add to this the logos or whatever else that showed were familiar to him.

And the following at first did not makes sense either, having him repeat the number. Like, if they knew the number, why have him repeat it, right? But here's the thing, they did NOT know the number, the number was the final piece of what they needed. They had enough info to attempt to get into his account, but they couldn't get by the verification process.

So they started the login, Apple then sent the number to his phone, which when given to the scammers allowed them to enter it and take over.

At least that's my take on it.