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Unfortunately, it can be fairly easy for hackers and scammers to gain access to your phone number. Every time you sign up for an online account, make an online purchase, or share your number with someone online, you run the risk of it falling into the wrong hands.
And once these cybercriminals have your number, there is a wide range of ways they can use it against you. Learn what to do if a hacker has your phone number so you can protect your online identity and stay safe from cybercrime.
How Do Hackers Get Your Phone Number?
The widespread capabilities of technology and the Internet provide hackers with lots of opportunities to gain access to your phone number.
Here are some ways cybercriminals can take advantage of weaknesses in your cybersecurity and gain access to your personally identifiable information.
Data Breaches
A data breach is a cybersecurity attack in which a hacker gains access to previously private data. This can happen on a personal level where hackers aim to obtain social security numbers, bank account numbers, and other sensitive information. It can also happen within a company where the target is usually corporate data like financial information and intellectual property.
It’s possible that, when a breach like this occurs, one of the things that’s leaked are phone numbers. A data breach can also lead to a ransomware attack where the personal or corporate data including phone numbers is held hostage until a sum is paid.
People Search Sites
People search sites like Whitepages and WhoEasy have a database full of personal information and phone numbers. Hackers can peruse these sites and possibly try to call you to confirm your number belongs to a real person. If you pick up, they have your number. Often, these sites have other information linked to your number, like your address.
Phishing Scams
Phishing is a common scam where scammers send you an email posing as a real company and request sensitive information or money or send malware your way. Most often, phishing scams ask for your information, and this could include your phone number.
If they do their job well and seem like a real company, you might be inclined to send your real number, especially if the situation seems urgent. But once you give your number out, the scammer has it forever and can do with it as they see fit.
Software
If you click on a fraudulent link and it installs malware on your device, the hacker who sent you the link might be able to gain access to information associated with your device, including your phone number. This includes keylogging, which is where information is actively sent to the hacker as you type and talk.
Another type is trojan malware, which operates undercover to discover and send sensitive data like credit card and bank account information.
Bluetooth Hacking
Highly skilled hackers can use Bluetooth hacking technology to seek out vulnerable devices nearby and establish a connection. Any information the hacker finds has to be downloaded while the device is still close by.
This is an advanced-level attack and is not very common. Still, it’s best to turn off bluetooth capabilities on your iPhone or Android when you don’t need them.
Stolen Mail
In 2022, AARP reported 38,500 incidents of stolen mail across the United States Postal Service. The people responsible were reportedly organized criminal groups who were good with technology and evading law enforcement. If people have access to your address via stolen mail, they might be able to look you up online and, by association, find your phone number.
Repeatedly Answering Scam Calls
Phone scams might seem harmless to answer as long as you hang up without speaking, but if you answer too many, you may be targeted further. Scammers target numbers that are more likely to pick up the phone and, in turn, give them a chance to complete their scam.
These numbers might also fall into the hands of actual hackers and cause you a greater influx of spam calls, along with other possible issues.
What Can Hackers Do With Your Phone Number?
Once a hacker or scammer has your number, they can use it to steal your identity, send you spam calls, send you malware, and more. In order to avoid these scams and protect yourself as best as possible against attempted fraud, it’s a good idea to learn how your number can be used to identify when you’ve been hacked.
Spoofing
Hackers can make your number pop up as their caller ID when they call other people. This way, the targets of their call will see your number instead of the hacker’s true one.
This may make the recipient of the call more likely to pick up as the number seems normal. Hackers might also target numbers with the same area code as you, so those people think a legitimate individual or business nearby might be calling, making them more likely to pick up.
Unfortunately, there are apps and websites that aid hackers in setting up spoof calls. Scammers need people to pick up their calls to attempt their scam, so calling from a safe-looking number is a common strategy.
Data Mining
A variety of people search sites can be used to search personal phone numbers. On these platforms, other sensitive information like your address, criminal record, family members’ names, the mobile carrier you use and more can be found.
Once hackers have your personal data, they can use it for identity theft, stalking, blackmail, and further hacking into associated accounts like social media.
Number Rerouting
Hackers can contact your phone carrier company claiming to be you and request that all incoming phone calls and text messages go to their mobile device instead. This allows them to fully access all new personal messages and makes it a lot easier for them to hack into your email.
Once they have your email, they can truly get into any and all accounts you have. You might have security questions as an added cybersecurity measure, but skilled cybercriminals might be able to learn enough about you to guess the answers to your questions.
Account Hacking
Most of the time, when you create an online account, you’re recommended or required to add your phone number. This is usually so that you have a method of two-factor authentication in the event you’re logged out or forget your password.
You can get a text message to your phone to confirm your identity and/or reset your password. Phone numbers might also serve as a way for the company to contact you or send you promotional messages.
If a hacker has your cell phone number, it becomes a lot easier for them to log into your accounts. They can simply click “forgot password,” and then if they have previously done the work to reroute your number so they receive your messages instead, they can reset your password and log you out of your own account. Hackers may attempt this to gain control of your social media accounts, email accounts, and more.
Phishing and Smishing
Phishing and smishing are both methods through which hackers can get access to your phone number and also something they might do once they already have it. Smishing is the same idea as phishing but over text. If a hacker has your number, they may send these malicious SMS messages or sell your number to smishers who will do it themselves.
Phishing attacks are dangerous because the messages appear to come from a real company, so people are more likely to trust it and comply with the demands. The easiest way to avoid this scam is to never open any texts from unknown numbers if you can’t confirm that they are, in fact, legitimate. And never, ever click on any odd links or give out any personal information over the phone or through text.
Spyware and Malware
Hackers can also send you texts once they have your number with hidden malware that is activated or installed on your device if you click on the included link. Spyware is a type of malware that is especially dangerous as it works in the background and allows hackers to gather more information about you and your device.
General malware can lead to the installation of viruses and other issues that affect how well your mobile phone works.
Data Sale
Hackers can perform any of the above methods of hacking and then use the dark web to sell the information they dug up to the highest bidder. Buyers might be scam caller and telemarketer types who are looking to call numbers that are actually in use, or identity thieves looking for a head start on their next project.
SIM Swapping
A hacker can also call your phone company using your number and request a new SIM card. Once they receive the new card, yours will be deactivated and the hacker will have control of the traffic on your phone (messages, calls, etc.).
How Do You Know a Hacker Has Your Number?
It may be difficult or impossible to tell at first that your number has been hacked. If the hacker doesn’t decide to do anything with your number immediately, you may not realize until later when something is done.
But here is a list of things that may point to your number being hacked:
- You receive an abnormally high volume of spam calls
- Your phone battery drains quickly
- Your phone bill is abnormally high
- Unauthorized purchases have been made on your credit card
- You’re locked out of accounts you have
- If you have anti-virus software installed, you might get an alert
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9 Steps To Follow If a Hacker Has Your Phone Number
So, what do you do if a hacker has your phone number? The main objective is to minimize damage and protect yourself for the future. There is no way to delete the number from the hacker’s possession—once they have it, they have it—so the focus is on how to make sure nothing too terrible can be done.
Here are some steps you can follow in the event of a phone number hack to stay as safe as possible:
1. Contact and Inform Your Service Provider
The first thing you should do if a hacker has your phone number is alert your phone company. You can call, email, or go in person, just make sure you get through to a real person. If they are aware of the situation, they can make sure the hacker doesn’t attempt to swap SIM cards or reroute the number to go to a different phone, which helps your messages stay private.
2. Freeze Your Line
Once you’re in communication with your service provider, you can request that they freeze your phone line to stop any suspicious activity from occurring. A frozen phone line will greatly inconvenience your daily life as you won’t be able to call or receive calls, but it also limits what a hacker can do with your number.
It’s always best to play defense and minimize the damage that can be done. Line freezes should be temporary, so you can reactivate it once the situation is under control.
3. Inform Essential Contacts
Since fraudsters might attempt to make calls from your number or message your contacts, it’s a good idea to inform any friends, family, businesses you frequent, and any other contacts you regularly interact with of the situation. If they get odd calls or texts from your number, they’ll know it’s not you and will be less likely to fall victim to any attempted impersonation scam.
4. Delete New or Suspicious Apps
Carefully comb through your phone and delete any apps you don’t recognize or aren’t sure you can trust. Apps can be used to install malware on your device and gather information in the background, so it’s a good idea to remove any suspicious apps or Google tabs open to unknown sites. After you’ve done this, restart the phone to ensure your deletions worked.
5. Monitor Your Accounts Closely
Any time you think your number, credit card, or any personal data has been hacked, you should monitor your accounts even closer than usual. If anyone is making purchases with your card, hacking into your social media accounts and changing things, or doing anything at all out of the ordinary, you want to be aware of it when it first happens.
In the event that a hacker uses your number to log you out of an account, you’ll be more likely to see this and be able to react accordingly if you check up on your accounts. Later, if you have to report fraudulent purchases to your credit card company or report a hack to Facebook, it will be easier if you’ve been frequently checking and have a log of everything that happened.
6. Remove Your Phone Number From Accounts
You can go into your social media platforms and Google to delete your phone number from your accounts. Not only does this help initially protect against data breaches as your number appears less online, but it also hinders hackers from using your number to log in to your accounts.
If you have a connected phone number, hackers might be able to use that to reset your password and log you out of your account. Or they can log in themselves and wreak havoc on your carefully constructed Instagram aesthetic.
On popular social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok, you can go to your profile and delete your number. On Google, click on your Google account icon and do the same. While updating social media settings is easy and painless, you also want to consider removing your number from other accounts like your bank account, apps for food ordering and online shopping, and streaming services.
7. Change your Passwords
As previously mentioned, hackers might try to use your number to access your online accounts. But if you follow step 6 and can prevent this tactic by removing your number from your accounts, you might be able to stop the hack before it happens if you also change your password.
Having to make up and use a new password can be annoying and difficult to remember. But don’t underestimate the importance of password variety and strength.
Strong passwords are 12+ characters long and have numbers, capital letters, and special characters. Make sure the password doesn’t relate to you or your life in any way. So, even if your dog’s name is Peanut and you love him very much, it doesn’t mean your password should be Peanut1.
You also need to use a variety of passwords, ideally a different password for every account you have. Of course, with the dozens of accounts most people have, it would be impossible to remember each unique password. So, for the sake of cybersecurity, use a password manager to do the hard work for you.
8. Get a Second Phone Number
If your number is seriously compromised, the best thing to do is stop using it so that all future activity is obviously the hacker. And the less you use your number, the less information can be gathered from your current online activity.
For most people, going about life without a phone is hard to imagine. Luckily, there are second phone numbers.
A great short-term fix is to use a second phone number instead of your main number while it’s in the hands of a hacker. A second phone number app like Burner allows you to use your same phone but acts as a completely different number, separated from your hacked main one. While you’re waiting for a permanent solution like a new number, you can give your essential contacts and businesses your second number so they can still reach you.
Burner phone also comes with built in spam-blocking features, so it will be safe and secure for you to use. Try Burner today to see how a second number can help.
9. Get a New Phone and/or Number
In situations where it seems unlikely that your number will ever be private again, you can ask your phone company to give you a new number. The switch should be easy enough; what’s difficult and inconvenient is updating your contact information across all platforms.
From giving your new number to friends and family to informing doctor’s offices and insurance companies, the headache may seem never-ending. But the reward of having a number that’s 100% yours is completely worth it.
If you decide to get a new phone—which shouldn’t be necessary to get a new number—make sure you ask the phone company to change your number. They will likely automatically keep your original number unless you clarify. And if you have a different device but the same number, you’re still hacked.
Exercise Caution and Use Common Sense
Whether you’ve experienced a hack and lost your phone number or have a perfectly good working number, it’s always smart to exercise caution when interacting with websites and people online. Never click on suspicious links, be wary when receiving calls from unknown numbers, never give out your personal information over the phone, and report and block any odd senders.
A lot of security slip-ups can be avoided by using common sense and cautious judgment. That said, not everything is so easily detected.
If you do fall victim to a phone number hack, don’t beat yourself up too much. Sometimes, there really isn’t much you can do to prevent these kinds of leaks and attacks. But it’s a good idea to stay educated about current cybersecurity tactics to best set yourself up for success.
Stay Up-to-Date With the Latest Cybersecurity Tips
Since the Internet isn’t going away anytime soon, neither are hackers and cybercriminals. If your number has fallen into the hands of a hacker, you’ll know firsthand how inconvenient and violating a hack is. In the interest of preventing future hacks, it’s good to stay updated on the latest cybersecurity tips and read up on how to best protect yourself online.
Hackers and scammers are clever and always coming up with new ways to trick people into giving up their information. As educated and in-the-know as you might be, tomorrow could be a whole new game. Keep reading, stay vigilant, and you will be just fine.
Document Everything
If the hacker with your number uses it for criminal activities, you want to document everything regarding your phone to prove it wasn’t you doing those things. This means documenting when you tell your phone company about the situation, any calls and texts you make from your number, and anyone else involved in the number recovery or replacement process.
And though it can be daunting to know a hacker has your phone number, don’t panic. Follow the steps above to reduce the damage and do everything you can to prepare for future attacks. Your phone will thank you for your services.
Sources:
How Do Hackers Hack Phones and How Can I Prevent It? | McAfee Blog
