You might think there’s nothing dangerous about someone on the internet knowing your phone number, but that’s not the case. It’s important to understand what malicious actors can do with it. By knowing only your phone number, hackers can send you phishing messages and calls or bombard you with spam. Moreover, they can perform SIM card swapping and even steal critical personal information.
Read on to learn more about what hackers can do with your phone number and how you can protect yourself with a temporary phone number from SMS-Man.
What Can Hackers Do with Your Phone Number?
- Phishing Attacks. These occur when attackers try to trick victims into disclosing personal information. Phishing attacks can be executed via emails, text messages, or phone calls. If hackers obtain your phone number, they may start targeting you with phishing texts, calls, or both. Falling for these scams can lead to revealing sensitive information that attackers can use to compromise your accounts or even steal your identity.
- Spam Calls. These can be highly annoying, especially if you haven’t blocked them on your phone. If your number is leaked during a data breach, the volume of spam calls you receive may increase. While some of these calls might come from legitimate telemarketers, others may be made by scammers aiming to steal your information.
- SIM Card Swapping. Your SIM card contains a unique identifier assigned by your mobile carrier. It holds data about your network plan, text messages, phone number, and contacts. Through a cyberattack known as SIM card swapping, attackers can convince your carrier to transfer your number to a new SIM card. They typically impersonate you, claiming they lost or had their phone stolen. If your carrier complies, the attackers can intercept all your calls and messages. This is especially dangerous because they can use your phone number to receive SMS-based two-factor authentication codes, making it easier to access your accounts.
Temporary Phone Numbers as a Defense
Virtual phone numbers are an effective way to minimize your digital footprint, maintain privacy, and avoid unwanted attention online. Here’s how they help keep you safe:
- Reducing Exposure of Personal Information. Many online platforms require a phone number for registration. By using a temporary number, you avoid sharing your personal contact details, reducing the likelihood of your data being stolen, sold, or shared with third parties.
- Creating Anonymous Accounts. If you need to sign up for a website you don’t fully trust, a temporary number is the perfect solution. It allows you to create accounts without risking your real phone number being added to marketing databases or used by scammers.
- Managing Registrations. Temporary numbers let you manage accounts without tying them to your primary number. If you decide to delete an account, your real phone number remains safe, making the deletion process more convenient.
- Safe Online Verifiaction. Temporary phone numbers can be used for secure verification on e-commerce platforms without linking your personal phone to the accounts.
Conclusion
Protecting your phone number is a crucial step toward maintaining your privacy and preventing fraud. Virtual phone numbers provide a convenient and secure way to interact with online services while minimizing the risks of phishing, spam, and SIM card swapping. Use them to safeguard yourself and your data in the digital world.