Phone Number Found on Dark Web: What to Do and How to Protect Yourself

It’s also good practice to keep an eye on your credit report so that you can spot and report any errors or accounts someone is trying to open in your name. In case you see this, my research – and experience – show you do NOT need to pay to freeze and unfreeze your credit. I’m not sure about passcodes – if you meant to your accounts probably – but that’s a different issue. We don’t edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information.

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 put you at risk for identity theft, phishing scams, and other forms of cybercrime. In this article, we will discuss what to do if your phone number is found on the dark web and how to protect yourself in the future.

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What is the Dark Web?

The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and requires special software to access. It is often used for illegal activities, such as buying and selling drugs, weapons, and stolen personal information. Because of its anonymity, the dark web can be a breeding ground for cybercriminals.

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

There are several ways that your phone number could have ended up on the dark web:

• Data breaches: If a company that you do business with has been hacked, your personal information, including your phone number, could have been compromised.
• Social engineering: Cybercriminals may use social engineering tactics to trick you into giving them your phone number.
• Publicly available information: If you have listed your phone number on social media or other public forums, it could be easily accessed by cybercriminals.

If you don’t recognize this as a company you have a relationship with, note that it may be a third party organization that interfaces with a company you have done business with. A hypothetical example could be if your information was exposed during the breach of a payment processor that partners with a commercial airline you’ve bought tickets from. If you receive a dark web alert, fortunately, it doesn’t mean that someone has already used your data. It just means that it has been found on the dark web, which means that it can be obtained from there. By following the above tips, tricks, and details, you know what to do if a scammer has your Gmail address.

Is My Spouse Or The Joint/secondary Cardholder Or Authorized Buyer Covered Under The Monitoring Service?

Remember that honest businesses, banks, or governments won’t ask for your financial information or your passwords over the phone. Robocalls are pre-recorded messages delivered to millions of people like you every day, to sell you something. First, you should be cautious when you receive an unsolicited call. Government agencies, such as HMRC, big retail, tech, or airline companies, are highly unlikely to make unsolicited calls to you.

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

If you discover that your phone number has been found on the dark web, there are several steps you should take:

• Your IDnotify subscription includes credit scores generated using the Experian Vantage 3.0 model.
• Many whistleblowers, abuse victims, and political dissidents use the dark web to freely exchange information and help one another without the threat of being identified and persecuted.
• Stay on top of personal information leaks and exposure by allowing IDStrong to monitor all your sensitive information.
• The faster you inform these providers, the better you will manage the problem.
• You can also request a credit freeze from any of the major bureaus, but it may take up to 24 hours to take effect — a risk that you may not want to take.

1. Change your passwords: If you use the same password for multiple accounts, change them immediately. Use strong, unique passwords for each account.
2. Monitor your accounts: Keep a close eye on your bank and credit card accounts for any suspicious activity. Contact your bank or credit card company immediately if you notice anything unusual.
3. Place a fraud alert: Contact one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) and place a fraud alert on your credit report. This will make it more difficult for cybercriminals to open new accounts in your name.
4. Consider identity theft protection: Consider signing up for an identity theft protection service, which can help monitor your personal information and alert you to any suspicious activity.

How to Protect Yourself in the Future

To protect yourself from having your phone number and other personal information compromised in the future, follow these tips:

Unfortunately, the dark web often includes cybercriminals who might sell or buy your data. Craig leads Keeper’s software development and technology infrastructure team. Craig and Darren have been active business partners in a series of successful ventures for over 20 years. Craig holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State University.

• Use strong, unique passwords for each account.
• Enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.
• Be cautious of unsolicited emails and phone calls.
• Limit the amount of personal information you share online.
• Regularly monitor your credit reports and financial accounts for any suspicious activity.

As a non-US citizen, report your stolen passport to the appropriate authority. You can usually file a report online at the appropriate government website. If you have a passport and its data is also on the dark web, contact the Bureau of Foreign Affairs and report that it has been stolen.

FAQs

Q: What should I do if I suspect that my phone number has been compromised?
A: If you suspect that your phone number has been compromised, take the steps outlined in the “What to Do If Your Phone Number is Found on the Dark Web” section of this article.

Q: How can I protect myself from having my phone number compromised in the future?
A: To protect yourself from having your phone number compromised in the future, use strong, unique passwords for each account, enable two-factor authentication whenever possible, be cautious of unsolicited emails and phone calls, limit the amount of personal information you share online, and regularly monitor your credit reports and financial accounts for any suspicious activity.

Q: Is it safe to use the dark web?
A: The dark web can be a dangerous place, and it is not recommended for average internet users. If you must access the dark web, use a reputable VPN service and take precautions to protect your personal information.

In conclusion, discovering that your phone number has been found on the dark web can be alarming, but taking quick action and following the steps outlined in this article can help protect you from identity theft and other forms of cybercrime. Remember to use strong, unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, be cautious of unsolicited emails and phone calls, limit the amount of personal information you share online, and regularly monitor your credit reports and financial accounts for any suspicious activity.