Did you know that Americans receive an average of 3.3 billion spam and unwanted calls every month? That’s billions of opportunities for scammers to exploit your phone number.
Think your number is safe? Think again. The dangers of giving out your phone number go beyond just annoying robocalls. Cybercriminals can use it for identity theft, SIM swapping, and even financial fraud, sometimes without you even realizing it.
So, how can you protect yourself? This article highlights the risks of sharing your phone number online and provides tips for minimizing exposure.
How Your Phone Number Can Be Exploited
Your phone number is more than just a way for people to contact you—it can be exploited in various ways by cybercriminals, marketers, and fraudsters. Once exposed, your number can lead to unwanted calls, financial loss, or even identity theft. Here are some common ways your phone number can be misused:
Spam Calls and Robocalls
If someone gets hold of your phone number, you might start receiving persistent calls from telemarketers, scammers, or robocalls. These calls can be disruptive and often push fake offers or sales pitches.
Robocalls, which use pre-recorded messages, can flood your phone with unwanted promotions, surveys, or offers that seem too good to be true, all aimed at getting you to share personal information or make payments.
How to prevent it:
- Don’t share your primary number publicly.
- Use a temporary or virtual number to receive SMS verification codes without exposing your real number when signing up for online services.
- Enable call filtering or spam-blocking apps.
Phishing and Smishing Scams
Phishing scams happen when scammers pretend to be real organizations like banks or service providers to steal your personal information, such as login details or payment information.
Smishing is a type of phishing that happens through text messages. Scammers send texts with links to fake websites or malware, often claiming there is a problem with your account or that you’ve won something, hoping you’ll click on the link.
How to prevent it:
- Don’t click on links from unknown senders.
- Verify suspicious messages by contacting the company directly.
- Turn off link previews in your messaging apps to avoid accidental clicks.
Identity Theft
Your phone number is often linked to financial accounts, social media, and email services. If scammers gain access, they can reset passwords, impersonate you, and steal personal or financial data.
How to prevent it:
- Avoid linking your number to financial or sensitive accounts if possible.
- Use strong passwords and 2FA (preferably via an authenticator app).
- Regularly review your account activity for unusual behavior.
SIM Swapping
SIM swapping occurs when a scammer tricks your mobile carrier into transferring your phone number to a new SIM card. Once they control your number, they can bypass two-factor authentication, access your accounts, and lock you out of your own devices.
How to prevent it:
- Set up a PIN or password on your mobile account.
- Ask your carrier to enable additional security verification steps.
- Avoid discussing personal data that scammers can use on social media.
Targeted Ads
If your phone number is tied to online accounts, advertisers can track your activity and bombard you with personalized ads. This can lead to intrusive ads and excessive promotional messages.
How to prevent it:
- Use privacy-focused browsers and ad blockers.
- Avoid using your phone number to register for non-essential online accounts.
- Opt out of data sharing in the app and account settings where possible.
Harassment
Once your phone number is exposed, you may become a target of persistent harassment, including unwanted calls, messages, or even threats. This is especially common in situations involving online disputes or personal conflicts where individuals may use your number to intimidate or bother you. These harassing interactions can cause emotional distress and, in some cases, escalate into more serious threats.
How to prevent it:
- Keep your phone number private in social media settings.
- Report and block harassing contacts immediately.
- Change your number if harassment persists.
Doxxing
Doxxing is when someone publicly exposes personal details, such as your address or workplace, to intimidate or harm you. If your phone number is leaked, it can be used to uncover more of your private information.
How to prevent it:
- Avoid tying your number to public profiles.
- Use aliases or limited-access accounts for online discussions.
- Regularly audit what personal info is visible online.
Subscription Scams
Some scammers use stolen phone numbers to sign people up for unwanted paid subscriptions. These fraudulent services may add unauthorized charges to your phone bill, often hidden under vague descriptions.
How to prevent it:
- Monitor your phone bills for unfamiliar charges.
- Avoid clicking on pop-ups or misleading ads offering free trials.
- Never enter your number on suspicious websites.
Stalking and Privacy Concerns
Your phone number can be used to invade your privacy by tracking your location or accessing details about your personal life. Stalkers may exploit this information to monitor your movements, send unwanted messages, or even show up at locations where they know you will be.
Additionally, linking your number to public profiles or social media accounts makes it easier for them to piece together information about your habits, interests, and relationships, further compromising your safety.
How to prevent it:
- Use messaging apps that hide your phone number.
- Disable location sharing and app permissions you don’t need.
- If you’re concerned, change your number and inform only trusted contacts.
What to Do When Your Phone Number is Compromised
If you believe scammers have gained access to your phone number, quick action is essential to protect your security. Follow these steps to safeguard your information:
Contact Your Mobile Carrier
Inform your mobile provider right away about the potential compromise. They can assist in securing your account and offer solutions to block unwanted calls.
Secure Your SIM Card
If a scammer has your SIM card, they might try to transfer your number to a device they control. Protect yourself by setting a security PIN for your SIM card immediately.
Protect Your Credit
Contact credit bureaus to restrict access to your credit file, making it harder for scammers to open accounts or apply for loans in your name.
Warn Your Contacts
Scammers may use your number to impersonate you via calls or messages. Inform friends, family, and colleagues that your number may be compromised so they can avoid falling for potential scams.
Scan Your Device for Malware
If you clicked on any suspicious links before realizing your phone number was compromised, run a security scan on your phone using a reputable antivirus app to check for malware or spyware.
