As technology advances to make life easier, security concerns such as the ability of hackers to have access to personal details become more imminent. At the same time, cell phone numbers are becoming a security issue. For example, someone will locate your cell phone number in order to threat at your security. So, how to protect your mobile phone number safe also become a very important thing we need to know.
What will your cell phone number be used for?
There are some security and life-threatening outcomes when someone else has your mobile phone number.
Sell your personal information to a third party
When you receive promotional marketing SMS or calls, have you ever wondered how they got hold of your mobile numbers? Well, your mobile number provides an excellent business opportunity for mobile marketing companies not only in the US but also overseas.
Some organizations can collate and resell your mobile number to those involved in promotional marketing, So, just be sure to guard your cell numbers jealousy.
Use your personal information to open a new account
It might sound strange, but data rogues could use your current cell phone number to access your contact details. Fraudsters could either create a new account or upgrade your mobile phone plan on your behalf. The amazing thing is your phone stops working suddenly, and you start receiving a new bill for services not used.
Threats your safety
Sometimes, you release your cell number to a stalker just to get the person off your back, and then you start receiving threatening messages. A report shows that 1 out of 12 women and 1 out of 45 men in the United States experience stalking issues in their lifetime. Also, it states that as much as 25% of those hunted were by strangers. Seventy-eight percent of the victims were females and 87% of the stalkers been males. Stalking could lead to violence, murder, kidnapping, series of threats, and more. We understand that not all stalkers have wrong motives but how do you know till you become a victim of their antics?
Use your cell phone number to locate your whereabouts
Besides locating your details or stalking you after accessing your phone numbers, your whereabouts could be located at all times. People watch other people’s positions for different reasons, both good and bad. Although it’s an invasion of the other’s privacy; employers, spouse, parents, etc. still locate their wards or employee’s whereabouts.
Your cell phone number, therefore, provides an avenue to track your location. The Wi-Fi and GPS settings help make it easy for others like a boyfriend or even a girlfriend to keep a tab of your activities.
They could look up your personal information
When you’re all excited giving your cell phone number out to a new friend you need to tread with caution. It’s possible this new stranger can look up your details online. With a small fee, you would be surprised at how much personal information an individual can gather about you online.
Through the services of online directories, strangers with your cell phone number, email, or your name could look up more about you than you can imagine. They can have access to your employment history, social profiles, criminal records, residential address, names of your relatives, your email, and more. You don’t need me to spell the implications of such an action, especially if your stalker has an ulterior motive.
How to prevent your cell phone number from being abuses?
If you want to take care of the personal details and cell numbers you have, then, read and apply the following tips and tricks as possible. Dealing with security issues is not comfortable for many, and getting your mobile numbers shared across data breaches is the worst scenario, but like with any problem, there is always a solution, however that could take a long time. Instead, here is what to do to prevent your contact information from being discovered, shared, or used on the dark web.
Be careful about sharing your information to stranger
Be sure before you give out critical personal details over the phone, sometimes you receive funny calls claiming to be your phone carrier or any other service provider which is fake and they just try to request sensitive information.
If you suspect that any of your cell numbers or details are being used by others, go through your records, both financial and other vital records regularly for signs of changes not made by you. If there is any risk, you should report any case of stolen identity and prevent further breach visit state institutions for help or protection.
Final thoughts
Securing your life and that of your friends and loved ones is first your primary responsibility before it’s that of the government. Your actions are sometimes the cause of theft of cell phone numbers and other personal details. Outlaws may threaten your life safety by locating your cell phone number. Be wise and secure your family against fraud and other security challenges.
