What can someone do with your phone number? 7 dangers to watch out for

1. Account recovery abuse

Many online services use your phone number as a default account recovery method. If you forget your password, the service sends a code through a text message (SMS) to verify your identity. Scammers exploit this convenience because they don’t need your physical phone to steal these codes.

If attackers can intercept these messages, they can trigger the “forgot password” process on your social media, banking, or email accounts. Once they have the code, they can reset your password and take over the account. Gaining control of your email account often creates a domino effect, which allows scammers to reset passwords for other services you use.

2. Phishing attacks

Text-based phishing (smishing) targets your number with deceptive messages. Attackers often impersonate familiar companies — such as banks or delivery services — to make the texts appear legitimate. They aim to trick you into clicking malicious links or revealing sensitive data, such as account recovery codes.

Many phishing texts follow a similar script:

• “Your package is delayed — confirm delivery here: [short link].”
• “Unusual sign-in attempt. Verify your account now: [short link].”
• “You’ve won a $500 gift card! Claim your prize at [short link].”
• “Hi [Name], is this you in this video? [short link]”
• “Netflix: Your payment failed. Update your billing info to avoid suspension: [short link].”

Although reported cases are rare, downloading a malicious app through a phishing link or an unofficial source could allow attackers to intercept your text messages. Once installed, these apps can forward your authentication codes directly to the attacker.

3. Robocalls and spam

Once your phone number is exposed or shared without your consent, expect a flood of robocalls from scammers and aggressive marketers. These automated phone calls range from annoying interruptions to dangerous traps. Scammers use them to steal money, harvest voice samples for AI cloning, or trick you into calling back and incurring expensive international fees.

To get you to pick up, they use spoofing to make the call appear local. Be careful because answering these calls confirms your number is active, which only leads to more spam. If an unknown number rings just once, ignore it and don’t call back — it’s likely bait.

4. Identity theft

Your number helps criminals connect the dots across data breaches and public records. They can cross-reference it with leaked databases to find your full name, home address, and even your Social Security number.

With this combined information, they can commit identity theft by impersonating you to open new lines of credit, apply for loans, or access your medical benefits. This type of fraud can ruin your credit score and take months to resolve.

5. Location tracking

Your cell phone number can reveal your general whereabouts through mobile network activity. To route calls and text messages, carriers identify which cell towers your device connects to. This network data can expose your approximate location over time.

Unless a government agency works with your carrier, no one can track your phone with just your number. In criminal investigations, law enforcement may obtain carrier records with proper legal process. Even then, the data typically shows which cell towers handled your device and when — not your precise GPS location.

In the past, some mobile carriers sold customer location data to third-party aggregators, which was then resold and abused. Although carriers say they have ended these programs and authorities have fined violators, the practice highlighted serious privacy risks.¹ 

Today, the bigger threat comes from malware. For example, in December 2025, hundreds of iPhone and Android users received notifications that spyware targeted their devices.² Attackers often use phishing texts to trick you into downloading this software. Once installed, it can broadcast your live location to a hacker.

6. Exposure on data broker sites

Data brokers and marketing companies scrape public records, social media profiles, and online forms to build a detailed profile of you. This profile may include not just your phone number, but also your full name, current and past addresses, email addresses, and even a list of your relatives.

While data brokers primarily sell these lists to advertisers, the brokers themselves are prime targets for cybercriminals. Hackers frequently breach broker databases or buy data through shady intermediaries. This exposure often lands your contact details on the dark web alongside millions of others, fueling a cycle of sophisticated scams, phishing attempts, and relentless spam.

To limit the spread of your personal information, think twice before you share your phone number. When you sign up for new services or fill out optional online forms, consider whether providing your contact details is truly necessary.

7. Unauthorized SIM swapping and port-out fraud

SIM swapping and port-out scams share the same goal — gaining complete control of your phone number. While often confused, these attacks rely on different tactics.

In an unauthorized SIM swap, an attacker tricks your carrier into activating a new SIM card they possess, usually within the same provider’s network. In a port-out scam, they move your number to a different mobile provider.

To complete either attack, the scammer needs more than just your phone number but also your other data — such as your name, birth date, home address, and sometimes the last four digits of your Social Security number — to pass security checks and impersonate you.

Once the transfer is successful, your cell phone instantly loses service. The attacker then receives all your calls and texts, including the verification codes they need to gain access to your bank, email, and social media accounts.

Can someone hack your phone number?

Technically, a phone number itself cannot be hacked like a piece of software. However, criminals can hijack it or exploit the systems connected to it. The most common methods include SIM swapping and port-out fraud.

Scammers favor phone numbers because they are easy to obtain, cheap to target at scale, and highly effective. Below are common scams that often start with or rely on your phone number:

• Fake bank alerts. Scammers use panic-inducing texts about “unusual charges” to steal your credentials. When you click the included link to “verify” the transaction, you inadvertently hand over your login details or one-time passcodes.
• Tech support scams. Fraudsters claim your device is infected with a virus to gain remote access. They pressure you to install software that lets them control your files and financial apps.
• Package delivery fraud. Criminals send fake notifications about failed deliveries to capture your credit card information. The text claims a small redelivery fee is required via a link, which leads to a site designed to steal your payment details.
• Romance scams. These long-term cons often begin with a “wrong number” text. The scammer builds a relationship over weeks or months before asking for money or cryptocurrency investments.
• Premium rate text fraud. Attackers trick you into subscribing to expensive services via SMS. Deceptive messages encourage you to reply or enter your number online, which adds unauthorized charges to your monthly phone bill.
• Social engineering. Criminals exploit your stolen number to target your social circle. They message friends and family in your contacts list to trick them into sending money under the guise of an emergency.

What to do if a scammer has your phone number

If you suspect someone is using your number for fraud or a SIM swap, act quickly to limit the damage:

1. 1.Contact your phone service provider. Report suspected account abuse and ask your provider to check for SIM swaps, call forwarding, or port-out requests. Instruct it to restore full mobile account control to you.
2. 2.Secure your mobile account. Set a unique PIN or passcode with your provider to prevent unauthorized changes. Request a port freeze to stop transfers to other carriers.
3. 3.Review your accounts for suspicious activity. Check your bank, email, and social media accounts for password resets, new device logins, sent messages, and unrecognized transactions.
4. 4.Update passwords and authentication methods. Change linked passwords to unique, long passphrases, and enable an authenticator app or a hardware key for two-factor authentication.
5. 5.Block and report suspicious contacts. Use your phone’s built-in features to block scammer phone numbers. Report spam messages to your carrier.
6. 6.Report the crime. File a report with your country’s consumer protection agency (such as the FTC at identitytheft.gov in the US) and local law enforcement. Keep the case number for disputes.
7. 7.Consider a credit freeze. If you find evidence of identity theft, contact the three major credit bureaus to freeze your credit report. Doing so prevents scammers from opening new accounts in your name.

How to protect your phone number

Taking proactive steps helps reduce the risk of your number falling into the wrong hands:

• Don’t overshare your phone number online. Remove it from your social media accounts and avoid listing it on public resumes.
• Avoid entering your number on dubious websites. Skip pop-ups that trade discounts for your number and be selective with contact forms.
• Use separate numbers for different activities. Consider a secondary VoIP number (like Google Voice) for online signups. Keep your primary number for friends and family.
• Contact your provider to set up a unique PIN. You must provide this code before making any account changes.
• Set up strong 2FA. Enable 2FA on all your online accounts if you haven’t already. Use an authenticator app or a hardware security key, which renders SIM swapping useless for account takeovers.
• Watch for phishing texts. Never click links in unsolicited messages, even if they appear to come from a trusted source.
• Regularly review privacy settings. Check which apps have access to your contacts. Revoke permissions for apps that don’t need them.
• Use built-in call-blocking features. Silence unknown callers and filter spam texts to reduce noise and risk.
• Keep your device updated and secured. Install the latest security patches to protect against malware.
• Add extra protection against malicious links. Use NordVPN’s Threat Protection to block phishing domains and dangerous sites before they load.

Protecting your phone number protects your identity

Your phone number is more than just a way to contact you. It acts as a gateway to your bank and email accounts as well as your social profiles. Scammers use stolen phone numbers to phish for information, hijack accounts, and impersonate people.

Treat your phone number as sensitive data to reduce these risks. Simple actions — such as setting up a carrier PIN, using app-based authentication, and limiting where you share your number — create a strong barrier against cyberattacks. Stay vigilant and don’t let your phone number become a tool for criminals.

References

¹ Shepardson, D. (2024, April 29). FCC fines US wireless carriers nearly $200 million over illegal location data sharing. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/fcc-fines-us-wireless-carriers-nearly-200-million-over-illegal-location-data-2024-04-29/

² O’Flaherty, K. (2025, December 14). iOS 26.2—Update now warning issued to all iPhone users. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/kateoflahertyuk/2025/12/14/ios-262-update-now-waning-issued-to-all-iphone-users/