Nine methods scammers employ to deceive you with your phone number

Scammers employ diverse techniques to obtain your phone number. You may believe that it is simple to obtain someone's number these days, regardless of the circumstances. However, if you have already experienced telemarketers calling you, you may feel that you have control over the situation.

Scammers with the right knowledge and the wrong intentions can cause harm simply by possessing your phone number.

They can deceive you in various ways after they have done it.

By learning about their strategies, you can take a step towards protecting yourself from falling prey to them.

If your phone number is compromised, there are 9 potential ways you can be scammed.

In the digital era, your phone number serves as more than just a means for loved ones to contact you. It can also serve as a portal for fraudsters to obtain your personal information and cause harm. Through phishing attempts and extortion, among other tactics, scammers can exploit your phone number if it falls into the wrong hands.

1. Phishing for other personal information

Scammers can easily use your phone number to launch phishing attacks by posing as your bank or a popular online service. They may send text messages or make calls, aiming to trick you into providing sensitive information such as login credentials, credit card details, or personal information. Once they have all your information, they can use it for fraudulent activities and cause even more damage.

2. Extortion and blackmail

Scammers may use your phone number for extortion or blackmail, claiming to have compromising information about you and demanding payment to keep it private. They can apply continuous pressure by contacting you directly, making their threats seem more real and immediate.

One way scammers target elderly people is by pretending to be a relative in distress and urgently requesting financial assistance. They may use AI voice cloning technology to impersonate the relative's voice, making the situation seem more real and urgent. This emotional manipulation often results in the victim sending money.

3. Robocalls and spam messages

Your phone number can be sold to spam message services, resulting in unwanted calls and texts promoting scams or fraudulent products. These automated systems can lead to bigger scams if you engage with the messages or follow their instructions. To avoid this, simply hang up on them.

4. Phone number spoofing

Scammers often use phone number spoofing to deceive people by disguising their caller ID to appear as a trusted contact, such as a familiar number with the same area code as where you live or an area code where your friends or family reside, or even the actual phone number of someone you know.

When someone uses your phone number to scam others, they can deceive you into revealing personal information or transferring money without your knowledge.

5. Impersonating government agencies

Scammers can use spoofing tactics to impersonate government officials and call you with urgent issues, threatening legal action or arrest to pressure you into providing sensitive information or making immediate payments.

6. Calling about fake unpaid invoices

Another tactic used by scammers is to pretend to be a representative from a utility company, such as an electric or water company. They will claim that you have an outstanding bill and threaten to disconnect your service unless you pay promptly. They may use your phone number to repeatedly contact you, making the scam appear more legitimate and urgent.

7. SIM swapping/phone rerouting

Scammers can take over your online accounts by using SIM swapping or port-out scams. They transfer your phone number to a new SIM card in their possession and convince your mobile carrier to reroute your number, allowing them to receive all your calls and messages, including those containing two-factor authentication codes. This enables them to bypass security measures.

8. Stealing your sensitive data

SIM swapping techniques/port-out can enable scammers to use your phone number to access sensitive data stored in your online accounts. They can initiate password resets and intercept verification codes sent via SMS, leading to significant personal and financial damage.

9. Setting up fake online accounts

Scammers can use various tactics to gain access to your accounts and create fake ones in your name, which can be used for malicious purposes such as spreading malware, launching scams, or conducting identity theft. The inclusion of your phone number makes these accounts appear more legitimate, increasing the likelihood of deceiving others.

How to protect yourself from these scams

Here are some steps you can take to safeguard your phone number from scammers:

Avoid making your phone number publicly accessible by posting it on forums, websites or social media platforms where it can be easily accessed by scammers.

Restrict access to your phone number on social media and other online platforms by using privacy settings. Review and adjust these settings regularly to control who can view your personal information. Share your phone number only with trusted contacts.

Services like Google Voice offer a secondary number for online activities, allowing you to keep your primary number private.

Keep a watchful eye on your accounts: Keep an eye on your bank accounts, email, and other online accounts for any indications of unauthorized access or suspicious activity.

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. I can provide you with my top picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.

Instead of using SMS-based verification, consider using two-factor authentication apps for added security.

Protect yourself from identity theft by using a service that monitors your personal information, alerts you of any suspicious activity, and assists you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts.

Some services offer identity theft insurance of up to $1 million to cover losses and legal fees, as well as a white glove fraud resolution team where a U.S.-based case manager helps you recover any losses. Check out my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.

Data removal services are a smart choice for protecting your privacy online. While no service can guarantee complete removal of your data, these services actively monitor and erase your personal information from hundreds of websites. They may not be cheap, but the peace of mind they provide is worth the cost. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.

If scammers already have your phone number

If you suspect that scammers already have your phone number, take the following steps:

Alert your mobile carrier about scam calls, especially if they come from the same number. Your carrier may be able to block the number or provide additional security measures.

If scam calls persist despite your efforts, consider changing your phone number as a possible solution.

Report scams and seek advice on further actions by contacting your local law enforcement or consumer protection agency.

Unauthorized access to your credit and financial accounts can be prevented by placing fraud alerts.

Be cautious of any unidentified calls or messages and refrain from responding to them.

Review your phone bill regularly to ensure there are no unauthorized charges, which could indicate that your number has been used fraudulently.

You can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to phone number scams and protect your personal information by following these steps.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Scammers are now using advanced technology to deceive more people, so it's crucial to be cautious of any suspicious activity. If something seems off, trust your instincts.

Have you ever encountered a phone scam? If so, please share your experience by writing to Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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