Can You Delete Your Phone Number From The Dark Web?
Several services, including the major credit bureaus, offer to scan the dark web to see if your information is out there. Children may not yet have bank accounts, but they do have birthdays and Social Security numbers, and an increasing number of them are online—especially in the tween and teen years. Kids’ information is also often on paper forms, whether for school or medical use, putting them at risk for identity theft. People generally think about a credit freeze as something to do if their information has been stolen, but Myroup says doing it before you have a problem can be a preventative measure.
Understanding the Risks of a Phone Number Found on Dark Web
If your Gmail address is found on the dark web, you can set up 2-factor authentication to protect your account. This adds another layer of security when you sign in to your devices. To remove all accounts linked to your phone number, access each account and look for options like “delete data and close account” or simply “delete account” or similar. Follow the steps for each account to complete the account deletion process.
For the sake of convenience, a lot of websites allow you to sign up using only your email, Google, or Facebook account. Today, the only ones who really use these are scammers in order to build huge databases of victims they will target for their schemes. Instead, you’ll need a specialized browser like Tor, which will allow you to access .onion websites.
- Sources tell the I-Team, initially 10 gigabytes of data was leaked.
- If the email tied to your Microsoft account or Apple ID appears in a data breach, there’s an increased risk that someone might try to overtake your account and devices.
- Phone numbers are spread across many social media platforms, websites, and phone directories around the Internet.
- If your phone rings once and then stops, don’t call the number back — even if it looks like a local or U.S. phone number.
If you think or know your SSN was leaked to the Dark Web, you can take steps to minimize the damage and protect yourself from identity theft and fraud. If your SSN is found on the Dark Web, it’s nearly impossible to remove. Instead, you should try to figure out what additional information has been compromised — such as your credit card numbers, home address, or phone number — so you can mitigate the damage.
The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines, providing a platform for various activities, both legal and illegal. When a phone number found on dark web blogs or forums, it poses significant privacy and security threats to the individual associated with that number.
Why Are Phone Numbers Sold on the Dark Web?
Phone numbers can be found on the dark web due to various reasons, including:
Thankfully, there are several things you can do to keep your personal information secure, including all-in-one protection from McAfee. When creating or updating your account passwords, make sure to choose ones that are difficult to guess. Avoid using a pet’s name, your name, or other personal information that others can guess. Cybercriminals can browse, sell, or trade on dark websites with confidence and complete anonymity. Because of its highly layered encryption system, hackers can communicate without giving away their location, IP address, or identity. Additional detailed information is available via this web page and the video recording of a recent town hall.
- Data Breaches: When companies suffer data breaches, personal information, including phone numbers, can be leaked and sold.
- Fraudulent Activities: Scammers might acquire phone numbers to conduct phishing scams or other fraudulent activities.
- Identity Theft: Criminals may use stolen phone numbers to commit identity theft.
This means that Internet Surveillance searches the prior 11 years of records it has collected for a match to the personal information you are monitoring. The more personal and financial information you add for monitoring, the more chances of being alerted of exposures to your information. Knowing when exposures have occurred is a useful tool in helping prevent further exposure of your information. If IDStrong finds your stolen credit or debit card data on the dark web, you need to act fast to minimize the threat and prevent financial fraud. Call your bank immediately and report and dispute fraudulent charges, cancel your card, and request a new one. Even if somebody tries to reset your passwords from Facebook or other accounts, he’ll need to type your phone number and have it on hand to receive the confirmation code.
This hidden part of the internet is a haven for hackers because of its anonymity. It’s the perfect marketplace for cybercriminals looking to sell or buy stolen passwords, Social Security numbers and other sensitive information. This service searches the dark parts of internet to find exposures of personal and financial information.
What To Do If Your Phone Number is Found on the Dark Web
Discovering that your phone number found on dark web poses a risk. Here are steps to take:
- Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check bank accounts and online accounts for unauthorized transactions.
- Change Passwords: Update passwords on important accounts, especially those linked to your phone number.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Utilize two-factor authentication wherever possible to add an extra layer of security.
- Consider a Credit Freeze: Place a credit freeze with major credit bureaus to prevent new accounts from being opened in your name.
- Use Identity Theft Protection Services: Invest in services that monitor your personal information on the dark web.
FAQs about Phone Numbers on the Dark Web
Q1: How do I know if my phone number is on the dark web?
A: You can use dark web monitoring services that check your personal information against known data breaches.
Q2: What information is typically sold along with phone numbers on the dark web?
A: Along with phone numbers, other personal information such as addresses, social security numbers, and banking details are often sold.
Q3: Can I remove my phone number from the dark web?
A: While you can’t directly remove your information from the dark web, you can take actions to secure your identity and mitigate the risks associated with it.
Q4: What else can I do to protect my phone number?
A: Limit the information you share online, review privacy settings on social media, and consider using a secondary number for registrations.
Conclusion
Finding that a phone number found on dark web is linked to you can be alarming. It’s essential to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting your personal information.
