Protecting Your Phone Number from the Dark Web

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Data brokers collect and sell personal information, including phone numbers. Research reputable data broker websites and follow their opt-out procedures. This ensures that your phone number is removed from their databases, reducing the likelihood of it appearing on the dark web.

In today’s digital age, it’s more important than ever to protect your personal information. One piece of information that is often targeted by cybercriminals is your phone number. And when your phone number ends up on the dark web, it can be used for a variety of malicious purposes.

What is the Dark Web?

Was Your Email Found On The Dark Web? Don’t Panic Here’s What You Need To Do

Contact your mobile service provider to inform them of the situation, monitor your account for suspicious activity, and consider changing your phone number to sever any potential connections. It’s important to note that contacting your mobile service provider is a crucial step, but it should not be the only action you take. Be proactive in implementing additional security measures, such as changing passwords and monitoring your credit and identity, as mentioned in the previous section.

The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It’s often used for illegal activities, such as the sale of stolen personal information. If your phone number is found on the dark web, it could be used for spamming, phishing, or even identity theft.

How Did My Phone Number End Up on the Dark Web?

What To Do If Your Email Or Phone Number Is On The Dark Web?

There are a few ways your phone number could end up on the dark web. One common way is through data breaches. When a company’s database is hacked, personal information, including phone numbers, can be stolen and sold on the dark web. Another way is through phishing scams, where you may unknowingly give away your phone number to a cybercriminal.

In this case, signing up for credit monitoring and checking your rating regularly is also a good idea. It’s also a good idea to take it a step further and leverage a dark web monitoring service. It’s easier for someone to steal your identity once your information is on the dark web. That’s why we monitor your personal information and alert you if we spot new activity or changes. You can choose to receive our notifications by email, push or text alerts.

Secure Your Social Security Number

How Can I Protect My Phone Number?

There are a few steps you can take to protect your phone number from ending up on the dark web:

• The more of your personal information that a scammer has, the harder time you’ll have spotting the scam.
• But IDShield has the expertise necessary to mitigate dark web identity theft.
• This year, the seemingly-endless parade of hacks and data breaches includes the video game Fortnite, Dunkin’ Donuts, and the Dow Jones company.
• Scammers get your phone number and then make scam calls to con you of money, financial and other sensitive information.

• Be cautious of phishing scams: Be wary of unsolicited emails, text messages, and phone calls. Never give out your phone number unless you are certain of the recipient’s identity.
• Use a virtual phone number: A virtual phone number is a phone number that is not tied to a physical device or location. This can help protect your personal phone number from being exposed.

If your SSN has been compromised, it’s only a matter of time before your identity is stolen. There are different tools you can use to see if your information is on the dark web, has been leaked in a data breach or is easily accessible on the surface (in other words, not dark) web. Experian’s free dark web scan can look for your email address, phone number and Social Security number, and Experian’s personal privacy scan can search for your information on people finder sites. No, you generally won’t be able to remove your information from the dark web. You can protect yourself in other ways if your information is on the dark web, though.

• Regularly monitor your credit reports: Regularly checking your credit reports can help you catch any suspicious activity, such as unauthorized use of your phone number.

These ID theft protection services are ready to protect your data and bank accounts from fraudsters. Each one also includes dark web monitoring so you’ll be the first to know if your SSN is for sale there. Identity thieves sell data (online, e-commerce, bank, or email accounts) for shockingly low prices on the black market. Credit card details go for as little as $12-$20 or $40 when the PIN is included.

What to Do If Your Phone Number is Found on the Dark Web

If you discover that your phone number is being sold on the dark web, it’s important to take action immediately. Contact your phone service provider and let them know about the situation. They may be able to take steps to protect your account. Additionally, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports and consider changing your phone number.

Conclusion

Protecting your phone number from the dark web is an important step in keeping your personal information safe. By being cautious of phishing scams, using a virtual phone number, and regularly monitoring your credit reports, you can help reduce the risk of your phone number ending up on the dark web. And if you do find that your phone number is being sold on the dark web, take action immediately to protect your account and personal information.