Did you know that a simple Google search can uncover the fact that your phone number and other personal contact info are readily accessible on the web? With plenty of bad actors out there, this personal information can be utilized without your consent for malicious purposes.
In order to protect your phone number from appearing online, it's crucial to be aware of the steps you can take to safeguard it. Here is an overview of what you need to know.
How your personal phone number ends up on the internet
Providing your personal phone number is often required when making online purchases or opening different accounts. After all, the delivery person needs to have a means of contacting you.
However, you may not always be aware that you are sharing your phone number, as you may have agreed to the terms and conditions without reading through them. Which, let's be honest, most of us do. Unfortunately, phone apps are often the culprits when it comes to distributing your personal info, including your phone number.
Even though most site owners guarantee the safety of your personal information, data breaches, and leaks can occur, putting your information at risk of being exposed to the wrong individuals. What's more, in many cases, you may not even be aware of the breach until a long time has passed, during which your personal contact information has been circulating on the web, popping in one search result after another.
Lastly, data brokers and people search sites play a significant role in exposing personal information on the internet. By searching the web, they collect various types of information, which they then sell or share with interested parties, making your personal contact information accessible to anyone who wants to see it, including those with malicious intent.
The dangers of having your personal phone number listed online
Having your personal phone number appear in search engines can not only be a nuisance but can also lead to serious problems. For instance, you may receive numerous robocalls, scam calls, or marketing calls, which can become overwhelming.
Moreover, by having your phone number listed, scammers may be able to obtain other personal information, such as your home address or financial information, thereby increasing the risk of identity theft and fraudulent activities.
Finally, scammers may use a technique called spoofing, where they make it appear that your phone number is the one being used to make a call when in reality, they are the ones behind it. This allows them to contact your family members and friends and trick them into giving out sensitive information.
How to remove your phone number from the internet?
As you've seen, having your number listed online can expose you to a multitude of risks. That's why it's essential to take steps to delete your phone number from the internet. Here's what you can do.
Remove it from social media platforms
Ensure your phone number is not visible on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. On Facebook and Instagram, adjust your privacy settings to hide your phone number. In your Twitter account, turn off the "discoverability" option for your phone number.
Remove it from Google Search results
Google now allows the removal of some personally identifiable information from its search results, including your phone number. Submit a removal request form through the appropriate web page, but keep in mind that Google's criteria for eligibility are strict, and your request may be denied. If so, you'll need to contact the site owner directly to have your phone number removed. This way, your phone number will automatically disappear from search engines.
Remove it from data brokers and people search sites
Data brokers often play a role in having your phone number displayed on the internet. That said, most will allow you to send a removal request in which you can ask them to remove info they have about you. While the opt-out process may take time, protecting your personal information is worth the effort. Opt-out guides are available to help you through the process.
In conclusion, removing your phone number from social media platforms, search results, and data brokers and people search sites will help protect your personal information and reduce the risk of identity theft or fraud.
Protecting Your Personal Phone Number
After removing your personal phone number from Google's search results and the internet, it's crucial to implement measures to prevent it from reappearing.
Check the permissions in your apps
Take a look at your phone's settings and review the app permissions you've granted or revoked. Modify any permission that allows the app to collect or share your phone number with third-party entities.
Optimize Your Personal Information Settings
Examine your online account settings, such as those used for online shopping, as you may have unintentionally approved unfavorable terms. Similar to app permissions, disable any personal information sharing that may have been previously agreed to.
Join the National Do Not Call Registry
By adding your phone numbers to the National Do Not Call Registry, you opt out of receiving telemarketing calls. Although you may still receive the occasional robocall, the number of unwanted calls still should significantly decrease.
Protect Your Info with Data Removal Services
Keeping track of your phone numbers and the continuous monitoring of the web can be a hassle. Even more so if you're simultaneously sending opt-out requests to one data broker after another.
Subscribing to a removal service, like Incogni, can make the process a lot easier. Incogni automatically sends removal requests to data brokers, thus helping prevent your phone number and other personal details from appearing in someone's search queries.
