What to do if a scammer has your phone number

Scammers have your phone number? 

That’s pretty common nowadays.

Usually, there’s no need to panic. Knowing your number alone isn’t dangerous.

But don’t ignore it either.

Even unsophisticated scammers can cause serious harm if you aren’t careful.

Better safe than sorry, right?

Here are four things you can do when a scammer gets your phone number.

Handling phone scams: What to do if a scammer has your phone number

Don’t rush to get a new number each time a scammer learns your phone number.

Here’s what to do instead. 

We’ve come up with a four-level system—each providing more security.

What to do if a scammer has your phone number:

• Level 1: Delete your data from the internet.
• Level 2: Learn how to handle phone scams.
• Level 3: Make it harder for scammers to contact you.
• Level 4: Take measures against identity theft and other forms of fraud.

Let’s have a closer look.

Level 1: Delete your data from the internet

Whether you like it or not, your data is on the internet.

If you don’t believe us, look yourself up on people search sites, like Whitepages. That data is available to anyone, scammers included.

And once a scammer learns your phone number, they can run a search and find your complete identity—names, addresses, partners, criminal records, employment history, and even your sexual orientation. 

Knowing your personal details gives scammers a powerful weapon, putting you at a real risk of identity theft. 

Don’t let them.

Here’s what you can do:

• Remove your data from the internet manually.
  You can remove your information from the internet on your own. When it comes to scammers having your phone number, it’s best to focus on people search sites.
  To do that, you need to visit each site and opt out. Sounds simple, right?
  Here’s the thing, though—
  Your data could be stored, displayed, and up for grabs on 100+ websites, making the process of manual opt out extremely time consuming. 
  To make matters worse, your profiles are usually hidden behind a paywall, meaning you can’t just run a Google search to locate websites displaying your information.
  Instead, you’d have to run individual searches on each site.
  Learn how to opt out from the most popular data brokers.
• Automate the data removal process with professional services.
  You don’t have to face data brokers alone. There are services that employ their processing power and know-how to remove your data. 
  These are called data removal services. Take Incogni, for example.
  The moment you sign up, Incogni automatically sends over 100 removal requests to some of the most popular data brokers in the US. 
  That alone saves you a ton of effort. But there’s more.
  You see, once you opt out from a data broker’s database, they’re usually obliged to delete your data. 
  But there’s nothing stopping them from adding it again in the future.
  Once you opt out from a people search site, your work is not done. It’s merely the beginning. 
  Online privacy is a continuous effort, requiring you to monitor data brokers and send data-removal requests on a regular basis.
  Otherwise, your data will just circle back.

Level 2: Learn how to handle phone scams

Scammers may try to trick you into giving things away—like your money, credentials, or other valuable data.

A lion’s share of scammers gather people’s phone numbers to send them spam messages or target them with scam phone calls. 

But for them to succeed, scammers need your action. 

Learn how to deal with and what to look out for in these forms of scams, so you don’t fall for their tricks.

Here’s what to do when your number falls into the hands of a scammer:

• Approach any unusual messages or phone calls with caution. 
  Scammers may use phishing tactics on you. 
  If you notice anything suspicious—like text messages with links, requests for payments, or failed delivery notifications—ten to one it’s a scam. Ignore, block, and report such numbers.
• Don’t text or call back unknown numbers. 
  Scammers often use a tactic known as the “one-ring call” to lure you into calling back. 
  Falling for this can result in extremely high charges. It also signals to the scammer that your number is active, making you a target for more scams.
• Never click on links in SMS texts from unknown senders. 
  Scammers often include links in their fake messages.
  These are often smishing attempts, where scammers send messages urging you to take some action (like changing a delivery address, confirming a payment, resolving a debt, or claiming a prize) by clicking a provided link. Never open such links.
  If you want to learn more about spotting fake text messages, have a look at our article.

Level 3: Make it harder for scammers to contact you

You don’t have to wait for scammers to come to you. 

Instead, you can set your defenses, so they can never reach you in the first place (or at least have a hard time doing so).

It’s still good to learn their tricks, though—every once in a while the “system” may fail, allowing a scam or two to slip through.

Here’s what you can do to stop scammers from ever reaching your phone:

• If you know the scammer’s number, block it.
  For both Android and iOS devices: Go to your “phone” app and tap and hold the scammer’s number. Then, when a menu appears, tap “block this number” or similar.  
• If you don’t know the scammer’s number, activate the “block private/restricted calls” feature on your phone. 
  Scammers sometimes use restricted numbers to make it harder for you to block them. Most phones offer the option to block all calls from private numbers.
  • For Android: Go to your “phone” or “dialer” app > open the app’s settings > search for a “block calls” feature (the exact name will depend on your phone’s manufacturer).
  • For iOS: Go to your iPhone’s settings > “phone” > “silence unknown callers.”
• Install the spam-blocking app offered by your mobile service provider. 
  Most mobile carriers have developed their own apps for blocking spam calls. Having one may effectively pull the plug on scammers’ efforts.
  • T-Mobile
  • AT&T
  • Verizon
  • Mint Mobile
• Install third party apps to block spam and scam calls.
  If you open any app store and search for the term “block spam,” you’ll see dozens of results popping up.
  But don’t download any of them just yet.
  You see, a lot of them are, to say the least, dodgy. 
  Many will block scammers from reaching you, simultaneously collecting and sharing your data with third parties. Some are even put out by straight-up data brokers.
  But some apps seem less privacy-invasive than others:
  • Should I Answer? for Android and iOS
  • Call Control for Android and iOS

Here’s a more detailed overview of your options.

Level 4: Take measures against identity theft and other frauds

Identity theft is no joke. 

In their report, the Federal Trade Commission stated that identity theft was the most common type of fraud reported to them in 2023.

Although your number alone may not be sufficient for a successful identity theft attempt, fraudsters may take it as a first step to a more elaborate scheme.

Here’s how to defend your identity after a scammer gets your phone number:

• Secure your online accounts with two-factor authentication (2FA) and strong passwords. 
  Scammers might attempt to steal your identity to misuse or open new bank and credit accounts. Protect yourself by enabling 2FA and updating your passwords to more secure ones (at least 12 digits long).
• Actively look out for any signs of identity theft.
  There are usually some warning signs before an identity theft occurs (or is attempted). You can’t prevent it entirely, but you can stop it at its early stages.
  
  In short, check and monitor:
  • Your financial accounts
  • Your credit reports
  • Social Security account
  • Use of your health insurance benefits
  • Mail for any unexpected letters, especially bills
  • Your email accounts for any strange activity
  • Your social media accounts for unfamiliar logins and unfamiliar devices.

To learn more about identity theft, see our guide on how to check if someone is using your identity.

• Consider freezing your accounts at the three major credit bureaus. 
  If scammers use your phone number to determine your identity, you could be vulnerable to credit fraud. 
  Consider freezing your credit files at Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. This will prevent fraudsters from opening new credit accounts in your name.

Level 4.5: Contact law enforcement and the FTC

It’s an unlikely scenario, but nevertheless a possible one—

Scammers may use your phone number not only to run simple scams, but to perpetrate more invasive acts, like stalking, or even to commit serious acts of fraud, like identity theft.

If you feel your safety is at risk—act.

• Contact your local law enforcement.
  Reporting to the police that a scammer has your number may not be enough—sadly, in today’s world, that’s pretty much a daily occurrence. 
  But— 
  If the scammer is someone you’ve interacted with personally and could be located, or their attempts put your or your loved ones’ safety at risk, don’t wait for things to get ugly.
  Collect as much evidence as you can and report the case to your local police department. 
• Report any instances of identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission.
  At the “level 3” section we showed you how to prevent identity theft from happening.
  However, identity theft protection is only so effective.
  If you suspect that a scammer has managed to gain access to your accounts or you spot something suspicious happening, report it immediately to the Federal Trade Commission.
  There’s a dedicated form: Report identity theft to the FTC.

FAQ