# Did my cheap little phone get hacked or what? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 12, 2019, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-cheap-little-phone-get-hacked-or-what/838563 "2019-08-12T17:26:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-cheap-little-phone-get-hacked-or-what/838563/1 "2019-08-12T17:26:28Z")
I have an LG 441G cell phone. (Yes I have a flip phone. Get over yourself. I don’t know why everyone has a conniption over what kind of phone I have. I can call the past on this thing!) Anyway, I’ve had it for a couple of years now. This morning I awoke to several voice mails, texts, and emails asking me “What the fuck, Pete?” It seems all night and morning my phone has been continuously calling the numbers on my speed dial list. My wife, my brothers, my sister, my friends, and the dispatcher at the police department I work at!:eek: When they answer the call all they hear is an echo of their voice. The phone has been sitting on my night stand, flipped closed, all night. I actually saw it light up and call one of the numbers by itself, even thought the phone was flipped closed and shouldn’t have been able to make a call with the key pad covered. Has my phone gone nuts, has it been hacked, or has the system been hacked? Can a cheap assed flip phone even be hacked? The service is Straight Talk. WTF is going on? I have removed the battery until I figure this out. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-cheap-little-phone-get-hacked-or-what/838563/2 "2019-08-12T18:50:57Z")
I would guess that a weird hardware failure is much more likely than a hacking–that phone has some proprietary LG OS that is unlikely to have anyone hacking it. Use this as an opportunity to get a new phone now instead of 4 months from now. What’s that, you don’t want a new phone? [Your phone is 3G](https://www.cnet.com/products/lg-441g-3g-256-mb-gsm-cellular-phone/). [Straight Talk uses Verizon’s system](https://itstillworks.com/verizon-straight-talk-same-carrier-17216.html). [Verizon is shutting down their 3G network at the end of 2019](https://www.digi.com/blog/how-to-stay-ahead-of-the-3g-network-sunset/). You’re getting a new phone. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-cheap-little-phone-get-hacked-or-what/838563/3 "2019-08-12T19:03:47Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I would guess that a weird hardware failure is much more likely than a hacking–that phone has some proprietary LG OS that is unlikely to have anyone hacking it. Use this as an opportunity to get a new phone now instead of 4 months from now. What’s that, you don’t want a new phone? [Your phone is 3G](https://www.cnet.com/products/lg-441g-3g-256-mb-gsm-cellular-phone/). [Straight Talk uses Verizon’s system](https://itstillworks.com/verizon-straight-talk-same-carrier-17216.html). [Verizon is shutting down their 3G network at the end of 2019](https://www.digi.com/blog/how-to-stay-ahead-of-the-3g-network-sunset/). You’re getting a new phone. Actually, Straight Talk uses all four major carriers, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile. Well, three I guess now, with the Sprint-T-mobile merger. > **[What Towers Does Straight Talk Use? | Bizfluent](https://bizfluent.com/info-12202248-towers-straight-talk-use.html)** > > Straight Talk doesn't have its own towers; it pays to use towers on networks of the major carriers including Sprint, AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. I know when I’ve had Straight Talk in the past, I’ve used AT&T on both iOS and Android devices. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-cheap-little-phone-get-hacked-or-what/838563/4 "2019-08-12T19:25:05Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I would guess that a weird hardware failure is much more likely than a hacking–that phone has some proprietary LG OS that is unlikely to have anyone hacking it. Use this as an opportunity to get a new phone now instead of 4 months from now. Yeah, this. This isn’t even exclusive to old phones, I’ve run into this supporting newer smart phones as well. > **[Ghost dialing](https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ghost-dialing.1982081/)** > > my phono is calling people on my contact list at random. Sometimes the phone will ring on both ends of the call. Do I have gremlins? > **[Help - Phone making ghost phone calls](https://forum.earlybird.club/threads/phone-making-ghost-phone-calls.135969/)** > > Ok this is weird.... I was out with my cousin when his phone rang.. It was me... he thought I had butt-dialed him but my phone was sitting on a coffee table in front of me. When I turned it on and looked at the dialer, it was in its standard... If you had a smart phone I’d recommend an update and/or wipe to see if it might resolve a software issue. With a more basic phone there’s probably not much more you can do than replace it. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-cheap-little-phone-get-hacked-or-what/838563/5 "2019-08-12T19:26:13Z")
Sounds like more of a malfunction than a hacking. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-cheap-little-phone-get-hacked-or-what/838563/6 "2019-08-12T19:39:10Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I would guess that a weird hardware failure is much more likely than a hacking–that phone has some proprietary LG OS that is unlikely to have anyone hacking it. Use this as an opportunity to get a new phone now instead of 4 months from now. What’s that, you don’t want a new phone? [Your phone is 3G](https://www.cnet.com/products/lg-441g-3g-256-mb-gsm-cellular-phone/). [Straight Talk uses Verizon’s system](https://itstillworks.com/verizon-straight-talk-same-carrier-17216.html). [Verizon is shutting down their 3G network at the end of 2019](https://www.digi.com/blog/how-to-stay-ahead-of-the-3g-network-sunset/). You’re getting a new phone. No, it usually connects to A.T.&T. And your link is crazy. Nobody would pay that much. These phones are $29 at Walmart. So I’m guessing the phone itself is funked up. Is there any way to transfer my contact list from it to a new phone? Dong it manually could take forever! ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-cheap-little-phone-get-hacked-or-what/838563/7 "2019-08-12T19:45:39Z")
LG has software called LG Suite, I believe you can remotely manage phone info from it, including backing up and transferring contact info: > **[Product Support: Help Library | LG USA Support](https://www.lg.com/us/support/help-library)** > > Browse articles about LG product repair information, installation guides, troubleshooting, how-to-use and other useful tips for your LG appliances and devices. There is an LG Bridge program for newer phones but I’m guessing your flip phone needs the older one. Here it is in case: > **[LG BRIDGE - Download & How to Use | LG USA Support](https://www.lg.com/us/support/help-library/lg-bridge-download-how-to-use-CT10000026-1438110404543)** > > LG BRIDGE - Download & How to Use. Learn how to use, update, maintain and troubleshoot your LG devices and appliances. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Librarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_librarian/32/402_2.png) [@The\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Librarian)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-cheap-little-phone-get-hacked-or-what/838563/8 "2019-08-13T06:18:18Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > (…) > > Is there any way to transfer my contact list from it to a new phone? Dong it manually could take forever! Back in the day you could copy your contacts onto the SIM-card. Does that work on your phone? ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-cheap-little-phone-get-hacked-or-what/838563/9 "2019-08-13T10:34:59Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > LG has software called LG Suite, I believe you can remotely manage phone info from it, including backing up and transferring contact info: > [https://www.lg.com/us/support/help-library/lg-pc-suite-download-how-to-use-CT10000025-20150108669720](https://www.lg.com/us/support/help-library/lg-pc-suite-download-how-to-use-CT10000025-20150108669720) Download doesn’t open. > [@The\_Librarian](#): > > Back in the day you could copy your contacts onto the SIM-card. Does that work on your phone? Phone doesn’t have a sim card. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-cheap-little-phone-get-hacked-or-what/838563/10 "2019-08-13T18:00:36Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Phone doesn’t have a sim card. [It has to have one](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_card), or else you couldn’t make calls. I guess you’re confusing it with an sd card. And yes, it’s possible to save contacts on the sim card and so transfer them with your card to a new phone. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-cheap-little-phone-get-hacked-or-what/838563/11 "2019-08-13T20:57:59Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > [It has to have one](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_card), or else you couldn’t make calls. I guess you’re confusing it with an sd card. And yes, it’s possible to save contacts on the sim card and so transfer them with your card to a new phone. A. No, a cell phone doesn’t have to have one. Verizon (CDMA) in particular was notorious for selling ones without them. They were prodded into agreeing to put them in future phones by the FCC due to 4G spectrum upgrades. Now the FCC is undoing that. And they weren’t the only ones. B. The cell phone in the OP does have one. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-cheap-little-phone-get-hacked-or-what/838563/12 "2019-08-13T21:05:56Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > [It has to have one](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_card), or else you couldn’t make calls. I guess you’re confusing it with an sd card. And yes, it’s possible to save contacts on the sim card and so transfer them with your card to a new phone. :smack: D’oh! You’re right. I was thinking SD card, which it indeed doesn’t have. I have to get a new phone, pronto. This one is now calling every number in my contact list, and the ear piece is going in and out. Sometimes when I make callers I can’t hear the person on the other end. It’s like it is possessed! It just dialed the number to someone I haven’t called in over a year because they are dead! ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-cheap-little-phone-get-hacked-or-what/838563/13 "2019-08-13T21:11:35Z")
If they answer, you have worse phone problems than we suspected. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2019, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-cheap-little-phone-get-hacked-or-what/838563/14 "2019-08-14T03:31:26Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > If they answer, you have worse phone problems than we suspected. Unless it was my friend himself who possessed the phone. He had the most brilliant sense of humor and the biggest, friendliest smile of any grown man you ever met. And he hated how everyone was always on their cell phones. If he could I’m sure he would prank me this way! :);):(🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2019, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-cheap-little-phone-get-hacked-or-what/838563/15 "2019-08-14T04:23:27Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Dong it manually could take forever! It’s faster if you use your fingers. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Librarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_librarian/32/402_2.png) [@The\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Librarian)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2019, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-cheap-little-phone-get-hacked-or-what/838563/16 "2019-08-14T16:06:11Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > A. No, a cell phone doesn’t have to have one. Verizon (CDMA) in particular was notorious for selling ones without them. They were prodded into agreeing to put them in future phones by the FCC due to 4G spectrum upgrades. Now the FCC is undoing that. And they weren’t the only ones. > > B. The cell phone in the OP does have one. I know US cel-phones work differently. I have no idea how. Is there any way for me to use your phone on my own contract? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2019, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-cheap-little-phone-get-hacked-or-what/838563/17 "2019-08-14T16:08:58Z")
> [@The\_Librarian](#): > > I know US cel-phones work differently. I have no idea how. Is there any way for me to use your phone on my own contract? Sure, if you switch out the phone’s SIM card with yours. Some phones even have slots for dual SIMs. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2019, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-cheap-little-phone-get-hacked-or-what/838563/18 "2019-08-14T16:19:39Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Sure, if you switch out the phone’s SIM card with yours. Some phones even have slots for dual SIMs. That is, if the phone is unlocked, of course, and the SIMs are compatible. In the U.S., most unlocked phones work on both AT&T and T-Mobile, which are GSM carriers. ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2019, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-cheap-little-phone-get-hacked-or-what/838563/19 "2019-08-15T19:10:45Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > A. No, a cell phone doesn’t have to have one. Verizon (CDMA) in particular was notorious for selling ones without them. They were prodded into agreeing to put them in future phones by the FCC due to 4G spectrum upgrades. Now the FCC is undoing that. And they weren’t the only ones. I have a CDMA phone. I’ve had people get very irritated when I say “my phone doesn’t a SIM card.” They act as if I’ve told them that my car doesn’t have wheels. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2019, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-cheap-little-phone-get-hacked-or-what/838563/20 "2019-08-15T19:31:08Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > I have a CDMA phone. I’ve had people get very irritated when I say “my phone doesn’t a SIM card.” They act as if I’ve told them that my car doesn’t have wheels. > **[Electro-Magnetic Audi Concept Car Without Wheels](https://www.fubiz.net/en/2015/10/15/electro-magnetic-audi-concept-car-without-wheels/)** > > German brand Audi revealed a new concept of cars without wheels. Imagined by designer Kevin Clarridge, this car features a maglev-powered hovering instead of wh Maybe eventually. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-cheap-little-phone-get-hacked-or-what/838563.md?page=2)