Your mobile number is more important for your money safety than you might realize. Scammers can take over your phone number through tricks. They trick your phone company into moving your number to their device. This lets them see your texts and calls, creating a big risk of identity theft.
About 1 in 3 people in the US have been tricked by phone scams, losing up to $39.5 billion every year. These scammers get your personal details like your name, birthday, and PINs from phone calls. Then, they use this info to get into your accounts. It’s vital to know about these phone number risks to keep your personal information security strong. If your phone suddenly stops working, you must act fast.
The Risks Involved with Sharing Your Phone Number
Sharing your phone number might look safe. But, it opens you up to scams, privacy issues, and financial threats. Knowing these dangers helps protect your data.
Potential Scams
Your number can be a key for scammers. They might send robocalls or texts to steal information. SMS phishing tries to get your sensitive details.
A scam called SIM swapping is dangerous. Scammers move your number to a new SIM card. This lets them steal your calls and messages, like those for two-factor authentication. In March 2022, people in the US got over 4.4 billion robocalls, showing how common this problem is.
Privacy Concerns
Having your number out there also risks your privacy. Scammers can search you up on social media and public records. This could lead to doxxing, revealing info without your consent. It can cause harassment or even blackmail.
Your data could get stolen because of breaches. Public Wi-Fi and malware make it easy for thieves to access your accounts and personal info.
Financial Threats
The scariest part about sharing your number could be the financial risks. Thieves might get into your bank, open credit lines, or falsely use your name for taxes. In 2020, more than 10% of US adults faced identity fraud, showing how big this issue is.
Cybercriminals might also hijack your accounts. They use stolen details to lock you out, leading to money losses. In 2023, fraud in the US cost over $10 billion, underlining the seriousness of these risks.
To keep your number and money safe, it’s key to be careful. Use things like multi-factor authentication and think twice before sharing your number. Despite its ease, the danger is real and needs attention.
How Scammers Use Your Phone Number for Identity Theft
Scammers have many ways to use your phone number against you. These methods are smart and very harmful, leading to loss of money and personal info. Learning about robocalls, smishing, and SIM swapping is key to protecting yourself.
Robocalls
Robocall scams are becoming more common. They use automatic calls to give you fake news or offers that sound too good to be true. Nearly 60% of cyberattacks start on phones, making yours a big target. These calls might say you’ve won something or must act fast to avoid trouble. Answering them can trick you into sharing private info.
Smishing
Smishing combines SMS and phishing with texts that look real but are dangerous. In early 2021, over 611,000 fake sites were found. These texts seem legit and can make you click on harmful links. These links can steal your info or put bad software on your phone.
SIM Swapping
SIM swapping is a complex scam. Scammers move your phone number to a SIM card they control. This lets them get your calls and texts, and even access your online accounts. In March 2021, many people had their numbers taken over by hackers. The FBI received 1,611 complaints in 2021, with losses reaching $68 million. Once they have your number, scammers can get past extra security steps. This can lead to theft of money and personal data.
Can Someone Steal Your Identity With Your Phone Number
Your phone number can open doors for scammers to your identity. They can pretend to be you and get to your money. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says SIM swapping attacks, where your number gets hijacked, are on the rise. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) found that 70% of online scams in finance use stolen identities.
Getting your number lets scammers change passwords and get into work systems. They can even mess with security codes sent to you. You need to keep your phone number and personal info safe, just like you would with any important data. If they get your number, they can track you or blackmail you.
To protect yourself, think about using services that take your info off the web. DeleteMe searches over 750 sites for your details and has great reviews. Incogni also helps remove your data from sites and gives discounts on yearly plans. Such services can really help keep your data safe.
Be careful who you give your phone number to. Treat it as safely as your Social Security number. The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) found a big jump in identity theft, especially in healthcare in 2020. Keeping your number safe means being alert and taking steps to protect yourself.
How to Protect Your Phone Number and Personal Information
It’s vital to keep your phone number and personal info safe in the digital world. Scammers are getting smarter, so we need to be proactive. Protecting our data ensures privacy.
Enable Account PINs
Setting up account PINs with your cell carrier is a key security step. Companies like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon use PINs to stop port-out scams. Such scams happen when criminals take phone numbers to get into accounts.
By using PINs or passwords, you add a strong security layer. This helps stop criminals from stealing your phone number and accessing personal information.
Monitor Your Accounts
Watching your financial and social media accounts closely is important. This way, you can spot and act on any unusual activity fast. Using identity theft protection services is a good strategy.
These services help keep your data safe. They watch for your info on data brokers’ lists and remove it quickly.
Avoid Sharing Personal Information
Be careful with sharing personal info like your phone number and Social Security number. Criminals can find phone numbers in many ways, like buying them from the dark web. They also look on social media and websites.
To keep your data safe, don’t use phone numbers for security, like SMS two-factor authentication. Instead, use other methods like Google Authenticator for securing account access.
By taking these steps, you can lower the chance of identity theft. Keeping your personal data safe from scammers needs constant vigilance. Always be proactive in protecting your information.
What to Do If Your Phone Number is Compromised
If you think your phone number is at risk, it’s crucial to act quickly. Doing so can help prevent identity theft and related fraud. Here are the steps you should follow:
- Contact Your Phone Carrier: Once you notice your number might be at risk, reach out to your carrier immediately. Let them know what’s happened and ask how they can secure your account. They may lock your SIM card to stop scammers from using it.
- Ignore and Block Scams: Watch out for one-ring scams and suspicious texts. Don’t respond to these calls or texts. Instead, block the numbers. These often signal the start of a scam.
- Strengthen Your Cybersecurity: Boost your digital safety with strong, different passwords. Also, use two-factor authentication when you can. This is a crucial step to keep your accounts safe.
- Remove Information from Data Brokers: To avoid further issues, get your personal info off data broker lists. Scammers can buy this data, so removing your info helps protect you.
- Freeze Your Credit: To protect against unauthorized financial actions, put a fraud alert or freeze on your credit. This is a key move in responding to identity theft.
- Use Digital Security Services: Consider using services like Bitdefender Ultimate Security for more protection. They offer real-time defense, 24/7 breach monitoring, and alerts on new threats.
- Report the Incident: If you face serious problems due to your compromised number, tell your phone provider, banks, and the police. Reporting can help limit the harm from identity theft and fraud.
- Consider Identity Theft Protection Services: Tools like Bitdefender’s Digital Identity Protection are valuable for monitoring identity theft. They give you ongoing tracking and warnings about privacy threats, helping keep you safe.
By taking these key steps, you can tackle the issue of a compromised phone number effectively. Stay alert and proactive to keep your personal data safe from harm.
Conclusion
Knowing the dangers of sharing your mobile phone number is key to preventing identity theft. About 67% of risks are unwanted calls and texts. It’s crucial to protect your info now more than ever. You also face dangers like social engineering (12%), account takeovers (8%), and identity theft (10%). Other risks include stalking (3%) and SIM swapping (5%). These figures show why strong safety steps are needed.
To stay safe, be proactive in your actions. Enter web addresses by hand to avoid scams. Also, report fake messages and block them by sending to 7726. With scams rising during the pandemic, awareness is a must.
Protecting your digital identity involves several strategies. Monitor your account, use a PIN, and don’t share your number lightly. Knowing what to do if your number gets stolen helps you bounce back. Overall, a detailed plan for phone number safety cuts down on risks greatly.
