When browsing the dark web, users may come across a variety of illicit activities and information. One concerning discovery that individuals have reported is finding phone numbers listed on the dark web. This raises many questions about who these phone numbers belong to and what they are being used for.
Info on the dark web doesn’t show up in your run-of-the-mill search engines. If you find remembering plenty of passwords annoying, try using a reputable (& free) password manager like LastPass. It can generate highly secure passwords and store them in an encrypted database. When visiting a website, it will autofill the password without you typing manually. Changing your number can protect your accounts and prevent spam or phishing attempts, but there are downsides, too.
What is a dark web scan?
The Dangers of Phone Numbers on the Dark Web
Phishing scams can be extremely effective in drawing out personal information. You might find that you’re logged out of some of your online accounts. As scary as having your phone number found on the dark web is, there’s probably a whole lot more of your personal information on data broker and people search sites on the surface web. Search online for your name, phone number, and address and see what comes up.
Having your phone number exposed on the dark web can pose serious risks to your privacy and security. Some potential dangers include:
- Harassment or unwanted calls
- Phishing scams
- Identity theft
- Fraudulent activities
How Much Does Identity Data Cost on the Dark Web Marketplace?
What Should You Do If Your Phone Number is Found on the Dark Web?
If you discover that your phone number is listed on the dark web, it is crucial to take immediate action to protect yourself. Here are some steps you can take:
- Contact your phone service provider to alert them of the situation and inquire about additional security measures.
- Change your phone number to prevent further exposure and potential harm.
- Monitor your accounts for any suspicious activity or signs of identity theft.
- Report the incident to the appropriate authorities and seek guidance on how to proceed.
If we find your Social Security number, we’ll send you an alert and help you take action. The study said that stolen credit card details are usually formatted as a simple code that includes the card number, expiration dates and CVV, as well as account-holder data like address, email address and phone number. A paste is information that has been published to a publicly facing website designed to share content and is often an early indicator of a data breach.
Method 3: Monitor Your Online Presence
This data can include first and last names, credit card numbers, social security numbers, and other sensitive personal details. Some hackers also purposefully target data brokers—companies that collect personal data and sell it for marketing and advertising purposes. Identity Guard’s fraud and credit monitoring does the work for you by monitoring your credit cards, financial accounts, and credit reports for fraudulent activity. If someone gains access to your bank account from your phone, Identity Guard will immediately alert you so that you can stop the scammers in their tracks.
- If you used the “sign up with Google / Facebook / Twitter” option (not recommended), then you can review the given platform’s security settings to see which accounts are linked to it.
- However, people are often at the mercy of large corporations and government agencies for secure data storage, and history indicates that they don’t always do a great job of it.
- Assistance to replace lost or stolen cards, including a repository to store certain personal information.
- Yes, the service is available for all Primary credit card account members.
- Simply make the request with one of the credit bureaus, and the other two will also get notifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my phone number be removed from the dark web?
It may be challenging to remove your phone number completely from the dark web, but taking steps to change your number and increase security measures can help mitigate the risks.
List of Experian IdentityWorks Premium Features
How do phone numbers end up on the dark web?
What to do if your phone number is found on Dark Web
Phone numbers can be obtained through various means, such as data breaches, hacking incidents, or illegal activities. Once exposed on the dark web, they can be used for malicious purposes.
Overall, finding a phone number listed on the dark web is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly. It is essential to take proactive steps to safeguard your privacy and security in such situations.
