Want a discount at your favorite store? Sign up for a loyalty card. Ordering something online? Provide your contact information. Creating an account on social media or messaging apps? Submit a phone number for SMS verification. These actions have become second nature, and we rarely think twice before sharing our personal phone numbers. However, even if you avoid answering unknown calls, your phone number can reveal a significant amount of personal information — something that scammers are quick to exploit.
Journalists from a well-known publication partnered with the SMS verification platform https://sms-man.com/ to investigate just how much data can be uncovered using only a phone number. Shockingly, in just an hour, complete strangers were able to retrieve:
- Date of birth
- Current residential address
- All previous addresses from the past 10 years
- Property tax information
- Full names of family members
- Past phone numbers
- Interests, hobbies, and other personal details.
Now, imagine if this information falls into the hands of spammers or fraudsters. The consequences could be devastating. But how exactly can this affect you, and what steps can you take to protect yourself? Let’s find out.
Why Is It Dangerous to Share Your Phone Number Online?
Experts warn that publicly sharing your phone number, especially on social media, can be extremely risky. A mobile number is no longer just a contact point — it’s a gateway to a vast array of personal information. With today’s advanced tools, hackers and fraudsters can use your phone number to uncover almost everything about you. By cross-referencing data from social media, public records, and other sources, they can quickly build a detailed profile that includes your home address, employment history, financial records, and even your family’s personal information.
Sharing your phone number online opens the door to several dangers, such as:
- Identity theft. Criminals can steal your identity by gathering enough information to impersonate you, answer security questions, and gain access to your online accounts.
- Phishing attacks. Scammers may send fake messages pretending to be from your bank or other trusted institutions, tricking you into sharing sensitive details like passwords or credit card numbers.
- Spam. Once your contact number is out in the open, it can easily be added to lists for telemarketing or spam campaigns. This can result in an overwhelming number of unsolicited calls and messages, disrupting your privacy and daily life.
Given the range of threats, sharing your phone number online can lead to severe consequences, especially when cybercriminals exploit it for malicious purposes. The more information they gather, the easier it becomes for them to bypass security measures, invade your privacy, and put your digital identity at risk.
The Best Solution for Privacy Protection — Temporary Phone Number
The easiest and most effective way to protect your privacy is to use a temporary phone number. Instead of revealing your personal mobile number during the registration process or when making online purchases, you can use its one-time alternative through Internet.
For example, the SMS-Man platform provides temporary phone numbers for receiving SMS messages, allowing you to pass verification without revealing your real phone number on over 4,000 different web services.
Thus, by taking advantage of SMS-Man’s services, you can:
- Keep your real phone number private and safe.
- Avoid spam and unwanted calls to your phone.
- Reduce the risk of identity theft, phishing attacks and hacking of your accounts.
SMS-Man has the option to select phone numbers from different countries, which also allows you to bypass regional restrictions when needed.
Passionate content writer and savvy blog publisher, Aamir crafts compelling stories and insightful articles that captivate and inform. With a knack for blending creativity and strategy, they bring fresh perspectives to every piece. Dive into their world of words and discover content that resonates.