Technology

What to do when your phone number is leaked? Signs of information leakage and reasons for phone number exposure

Many mobile device users nowadays face the dilemma of what to do when their phone number is exposed. This situation is becoming increasingly common, and it brings along various annoyances. When your phone number is leaked, you often receive unwanted calls from unfamiliar numbers, and there is even the possibility of being targeted by hackers who might attempt to steal money from your bank account. Dealing with these issues can be stressful and worrisome. However, there are steps that you can take to mitigate the risks and protect your privacy.

Administrator

10 March, 2024

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Are you frequently receiving calls from unfamiliar numbers with advice, advertising, or even debt collection? Do you notice money in your mobile account being unaccounted for? If you experience these phenomena, it is highly likely that your phone number has been exposed.

So, what should you do when your phone number is exposed? Why has your phone number been exposed? Let FPT Shop find out with you!

Indications of an exposed phone number

Before figuring out what to do when your phone number is exposed, you need to rely on the following indications to accurately determine whether you have encountered this situation or not:

Frequently receiving calls and messages from unfamiliar numbers with real estate advice, courses, loan assistance, advertising products, etc.
Frequently receiving missed calls from unfamiliar phone numbers or numbers that have unfamiliar names like YUND, YDK, Flash AI, etc.
Receiving calls from people who claim to be bank employees or authorities demanding fines even though you have not committed any violations.
Furthermore, many users have their SIM cards hacked, money in their mobile accounts or bank accounts hacked.

The exposure of Viettel, Vina, or Mobi phone numbers directly affects the lives of users, causing not only annoyance but also anxiety.

Why is your phone number exposed?

It is not a coincidence that your phone number is exposed and you receive numerous calls and messages from unfamiliar sources. To find out what to do when your phone number is exposed, please refer to the common causes below and consider whether you fall into any of these categories:

You update your personal phone number on social media platforms such as Facebook, Zalo, Telegram, TikTok, etc.
You provide subscription information to consultants when participating in banking services, courses, etc.
You click on untrusted links on social media which often appear disguised as surveys, online courses, voting for contests, etc.
You use your phone number to register for applications, top-up game cards, etc.
Your SIM card information has been hacked.

What to do when your phone number is exposed?

Whatever the cause, it is essential to resolve the issue of exposed phone number as quickly as possible to avoid situations where your mobile account or even bank account is hacked. So, what should you do when your phone number is exposed?

Do not comply with requests from unknown callers

When receiving annoying calls or missed calls from unfamiliar numbers, to save time, you can choose not to answer or make a callback. If you accidentally answer these calls, absolutely do not comply with any requests from the person on the other end, such as providing personal information, bank account numbers, sending OTP codes, pressing buttons, transferring money, etc.

Immediately afterwards, add these unfamiliar phone numbers to the block list to prevent future annoyance. Find out how to block spam messages and calls with detailed instructions from FPT Shop here.

Change your social media account password

If you use your phone number to register for social media accounts like Facebook, Zalo, etc., or link it to bank accounts, e-wallets, etc., and your phone number is exposed, you should immediately change your login password. This helps temporarily prevent your Facebook and Zalo accounts from being hacked or money from being stolen from your mobile account.

Contact the network provider’s hotline

All network providers such as Viettel, Vinaphone, MobiFone, etc. ensure the complete security of customer information. Therefore, the issue of exposed phone number is not caused by the network providers.

However, if you do not know what to do when your phone number is exposed, you can seek support from the network provider by calling the hotline. Inform the network provider of the situation where your subscription information is exposed and there is a risk of SIM card hacking. The network provider may assist in controlling incoming calls to your phone number.

Report to the authorities

In more serious cases when your phone number is exposed and you experience events such as your mobile account being hacked, a large amount of money being lost from your bank account, etc., you need to immediately report the incident to the nearest authorities.

Frequently asked questions

If you suspect your phone number has been leaked, take immediate action to mitigate the potential damage. First, change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication where available. Contact your phone service provider and request a new number. Install a security app and regularly update your device’s operating system and apps to patch security vulnerabilities. Consider using a virtual phone number service for added protection.

Keep an eye out for suspicious activity or unusual behavior. This could include an increase in spam calls or texts, receiving calls or messages intended for someone else, or finding your number listed on websites without your consent. Additionally, monitor your accounts for any unauthorized access or changes.

There are several reasons why your phone number may be exposed. It could be due to data breaches, where hackers gain access to databases containing personal information. Another reason could be that your number is sold or traded by companies or individuals without your knowledge. Sometimes, your number may be inadvertently shared by friends or family members who don’t realize the implications.

To protect your phone number and personal information, practice good cybersecurity hygiene. This includes using strong, unique passwords for all your accounts, enabling two-factor authentication, regularly updating your devices and software, and being cautious when sharing personal information online. Additionally, consider using privacy protection tools like virtual private networks (VPNs) and avoiding public Wi-Fi networks.

A phone number leak can have several negative consequences. It can lead to an influx of spam calls and messages, identity theft, stalking or harassment, and even financial loss if your information is used for fraudulent activities. It’s important to take proactive measures to secure your personal information and mitigate these risks.