Discovering that your phone number has been found on the dark web can be alarming. The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is often used for illegal activities. If your phone number has been compromised, it could be used for spamming, phishing, or even identity theft.
It will become more of a problem when it is linked to your personal information, such as a physical address, bank records, criminal records, social media accounts, family members’ personal information, etc. Have you ever received a message or call from an unknown person offering a product or subscription, or received a call that you have won the lottery, or become a victim of extortion? If you’re wondering how they got your information, it’s because of a data breach, and your information might have been leaked to the Dark Web.
The Top 10 Free Dark Web Scanners You Should Consider
How To Protect Yourself Against Scammers
Choose from business checking, business credit cards, merchant services or visit our business resource center. If you receive an alert, it means we’ve found your personal information on the dark web. You can’t remove the info once it’s there, but you can take action to protect it and help limit fraud. Use a secure browser, such as the TOR browser, when accessing the dark web. This can help protect your online activity from being traced and ensure that your personal information is not compromised. However, taking the steps above can help protect your personal information and minimize the risk of your phone number being used for malicious purposes.
How Did My Phone Number End Up on the Dark Web?
What you can do to prevent them from accessing your accounts is to use 2FA or multi-factor authentication. One website that we recommend checking out to see if you’re asking “is my email compromised? This website allows you to type in your email address and check if it has been compromised in any data breach and you can also do the same for your passwords.
You can create a myEquifax account to place a fraud alert and security freeze on your Equifax credit report. A stolen Social Security number (SSN) is one of the leading causes of identity theft and can be a real threat to your financial health. Avoid this scam’s frustrating legal and financial consequences and learn how to better protect your personal information from Social Security number identity theft. Caches of mobile phone numbers are gold mines for scammers and cybercriminals who use exposed information to commit fraud and other financially motivated crimes against unwary consumers. The problem is, if the hacker has access to the email, they will also have access to any connected online accounts.
There are a few ways that your phone number could have ended up on the dark web:
- Data breaches: Hackers often target companies and steal sensitive information, including phone numbers.
- Social engineering: Scammers may trick you into giving them your how to find dark web phone number through phishing emails or text messages.
- Selling personal information: Some people sell personal information, including phone numbers, on the dark web for profit.
Checking Accounts
What to Do If Your Phone Number Is Found on the Dark Web
What happens if your Gmail is on the dark web?
Personal information like email addresses can find its way onto the dark web as a result of data breaches at services and platforms you may be signed up for. This information can then be sold and used by cybercriminals in a variety of ways, including identity theft, banking fraud, and phishing scams.
If you discover that your phone number has been found on the dark web, there are a few steps you should take to protect yourself:
- Change your passwords: If you use the same password for multiple accounts, change them immediately.
- Enable two-factor authentication: This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts.
- Contact your phone provider: Let them know that your phone number has been compromised and ask if they can provide any additional security measures.
- Monitor your accounts: Keep a close eye on your bank and credit card statements for any suspicious activity.
- Consider using a virtual private network (VPN): A VPN can help protect your online privacy and security.
FAQs
Q: Can I remove my phone number from the dark web?
A: Unfortunately, once your phone number has been posted on the dark web, it’s difficult darknet markets to remove it. However, taking the steps outlined above can help protect yourself from potential harm.
Can I check if I have had a data breach?
See if your personal data has been exposed on the dark web
F‑Secure helps you to check if your private information appears in known data breaches. Email address or breach information won't be stored.
Q: Is it safe to use my phone if my number has been found on the dark web?
A: Yes, it’s safe to continue using your phone. However, be cautious of any suspicious calls or messages and take the necessary steps to protect your personal information.
- It is possible that personal information, including phone numbers, could be found on the dark web.
- Dark Web Monitoring notifies you when your data is discovered, allowing you to respond quickly to security breaches, helping to minimize their impact.
- This empowers them to communicate and exchange information while safeguarding themselves against potential cyber threats prevalent in the murkiest recesses of the internet.
Q: How can I prevent my phone number from ending up on the dark web in the future?
A: The best way to prevent your phone number from ending up on the dark web is to be cautious of who you give your number to and to use strong, unique passwords for all of your accounts.
How did my personal information get on the dark web?
If you're wondering “how does one's personal information get on the Dark Web?”, the answer includes data breaches, scams, and a very diverse range of cyber-attacks (phishing through email, private messages and voice calls, social media impersonation, malware infections or digital identity theft).
