What to Do If Scammers Have Your Phone Number

Every time there's a data breach or phishing attack, your phone number might end up in the hands of scammers. It's unsettling to think about, but scammers see your phone number as a goldmine.

We've already discussed how to check if a phone number is a scam, but let's dive deeper into what scammers can do with your phone number—and, more importantly, how to defend yourself if it's already compromised.

Why Do Scammers Want Your Phone Number?

Phone numbers have become a crucial part of online authentication systems. Many services rely on them for account recovery and two-factor authentication (2FA). Once scammers have your number, they can:

Flood you with malicious messages.
Gain access to your personal data or company information.
Steal funds directly from your bank accounts.

The key tactics scammers use often involve creating fake crises or urgent situations, making you believe your bank account is in danger, your device is infected with malware, or even that a family member is in trouble. These tactics are becoming even more sophisticated, with scammers using AI to make their ruses more believable.

5 Common Scams Involving A Compromised Phone Number

Smishing and Malware. You might receive a text urging you to click a link or download an attachment. This could install malware on your phone, which allows scammers to steal your personal information or even control your device.

2. Call Forwarding Fraud. In this scheme, scammers convince your phone provider to forward calls from your number to theirs. If they've already gathered some of your personal information, this can be surprisingly easy. They can then impersonate you in scams targeting your contacts.

3. SIM Swapping. This attack involves fraudsters tricking your mobile carrier into transferring your number to their SIM card. Once they have control, they can bypass 2FA and gain access to your most sensitive accounts—while leaving you without service.

4.Caller ID Spoofing. Fraudsters can spoof your phone number to make it look like they're calling from your device. This can lead to them impersonating you while committing fraud or reaching out to your contacts under false pretenses.

5. Phishing for Work-Related Data If you own or work for a business, your phone number could be the key to a scammer impersonating a trusted colleague. For example, a scammer might pretend to be your boss and request an urgent wire transfer for a "business deal."

Example: Imagine being an accountant at a small firm. You get a call that appears to be from your boss, urgently asking you to send money for a critical project. With AI-generated voices and caller ID spoofing, this scam—known as CEO fraud—can be incredibly convincing.

How You'd Know Scammers Have Your Phone Number and What You Can Do About It

If scammers have your phone number, you might notice these red flags:

Unfamiliar texts or calls: You start getting messages or calls from unknown numbers, often with suspicious links or requests.

Unexplained charges: Check your phone bill for unexpected charges, especially for services you didn't sign up for.
Loss of service: If your phone suddenly loses connection to the network, it could be a sign of SIM swapping.
Notifications from your service provider: Watch for alerts about changes to your account, such as password resets or new devices connected to your phone number.
Strange behavior from your accounts: If you receive unexpected account recovery emails or notifications of password changes, someone may be using your number to gain access.

What You Can Do About a Compromised Phone Number

If your phone number has been compromised, here's what you need to do right away:

1. Contact Your Mobile Provider: Let them know your number may be compromised. Ask them to add extra security to your account, like a PIN or password, and lock your SIM to prevent unauthorized changes.

2. Switch to App-Based 2FA: Replace SMS-based two-factor authentication with app-based solutions for your email, bank, and other important accounts. This makes it harder for scammers to use your phone number to gain access.

3. Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check your bank, social media, and other accounts for unauthorized activity. If you notice anything unusual, change your passwords and inform the respective services.

4. Report the Scam: Notify your service provider, financial institutions, and any other affected platforms. In some cases, it may also be necessary to file a report with your local cybersecurity authority.

5. Consider Changing Your Number: If your number has been targeted more than once, it might be safer to get a new one. Be sure to inform your trusted contacts about the change.

How to Protect Yourself (and Your Business) from Phone Scams

1. Validate Every Request: Never interact with unknown callers or suspicious messages. Always verify any request for personal information by contacting the company directly.

2. Add Extra Layers of Security: Ask your mobile provider to secure your account with a PIN or SIM lock to prevent unauthorized changes.

3. Limit Personal Info Online: Be mindful of what you share on social media, as scammers can use this information to impersonate you.

4. Switch to App-Based 2FA: SMS-based authentication is vulnerable. Upgrade to app-based two-factor authentication to keep your accounts more secure.

5. Install Mobile Security Software: Protect your phone from phishing attempts and other threats with a robust mobile security app, for example, Bitdefender Mobile Security, which includes a Scam Alert feature. It keeps you safer by alerting you to malicious links arriving via SMS, notifications, and instant messages.

3 Security Solutions That Can Keep You Safe

- Bitdefender's Digital Identity Protection. With this service, you can find out if your phone number has been involved in a data breach. It continuously monitors the web for signs of exposure so you can take action before scammers do.

- Scamio. Scamio is an AI-powered tool designed to detect scams. Simply describe the phone call or message you received, and Scamio will analyze it for scam indicators. You can also send texts, SMSs, links, images, and QR codes and check them in the same way. Scamio is free and available on Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and your web browser. You can also help others stay safe by sharing Scamio with them in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Romania, Australia, and the UK.

- Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security. For every small business owner, having a comprehensive security package is more convenient and effective than adding solutions separately. Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security includes everything you need to protect your company from cyber threats. Read more to find out if that's what you need, or tell your collaborators about it.

FAQs

How do I know if my phone number has been hacked by scammers?

If your phone number has been compromised, you might notice unfamiliar texts or calls, unexpected charges on your bill, loss of service, or notifications about changes to your accounts. Keep an eye out for these signs, and act quickly if anything seems suspicious.

What can scammers do with my phone number?

Scammers can use your phone number to send you fake messages, steal your personal or financial data, impersonate you, or even take over your online accounts. They might also use it to scam your contacts or access your business information.

What should I do if scammers have my phone number?

If scammers have your phone number, contact your mobile provider to secure your account, switch to app-based two-factor authentication (2FA), monitor your accounts for suspicious activity, and report any scams to the relevant authorities. In some cases, changing your phone number may be necessary.