What Can a Scammer Do with My Name and Phone Number?

Last Updated on February 23, 2023 by Jerome Donovan

What can a scammer do with my name and phone number? Given the constant occurrence of data breaches, it is highly likely that your personal information—name and phone number has been exposed and made available on the dark web. Scammers leverage this information to execute a variety of scams and fraudulent activities. This scam-busting publication takes you through how identity thieves steal your information, what they can do with it, and the precautions you can take to prevent it.

What can a scammer do with my name and phone number?

There are numerous ways scammers can con you when they obtain your Personal Information.

With your name and phone number, scammers can:

1. Use your private information to blackmail you
2. Steal your private data
3. Spyware and text scams
4. Doxxing which leads to fraud and harassment
5. Reroute your messages
6. Spoofing caller identification numbers
7. SIM swaps
8. Exploit your family

1. Use your private information to blackmail you

Your name and phone number could be used by scammers to blackmail you. They may threaten to leak private material, such as your images and videos if they gain access to it unless you hand over a ransom.

Here is how it works:

• Scammers use your phone number on a people search site to find out personal details about you.

• They get into your iCloud and other image storage account.

• Once scammers obtain private information about you, they use it to blackmail you for money.

• It is impossible to tell if they will stick to their word or not. If you refuse to pay, the scammer may post your personal information online or sell it on the Dark Web.

How to protect yourself

• Never share sensitive information with anyone, even if they claim to be a legitimate source.
• Set strong passwords and keep them secure.
• Monitor your credit report regularly for suspicious activity.

• Do not respond to emails or calls from unknown numbers.
• Use two-factor authentication for additional security.

2. Steal your private data

What can a scammer do with my name and phone number? Most of us do not change our phone numbers very often. Your phone number is closely linked to other information about us. This implies that if fraudsters obtain your phone number, they can have many other information about you (and use it to steal your identity).

Here’s how it works

• Scammers use social media to find your phone number.

• Then, they look up your number online to see what else is connected to it. This could include your date of birth, address, other online accounts, and more.

• This data is then put to use to either steal your identity or create social engineering schemes to which you might fall victim.

How to protect yourself

• Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication to protect your social accounts.
• Use encryption to secure data stored on your mobile device, computer and networks.
• Install anti-virus software and anti-malware software to protect your devices.
• Turn on web browser blacklisting to block malicious websites.
• Do not click on links or download attachments from unsolicited email.

3. Spyware and text scams

Smishing is another name for fake text message scams. In  2021, the Federal Trade Commission logged 378,119 fraud complaints about unwanted text messages, including smishing attempts. Hackers use them more and more to try to get people to give them sensitive data or download spyware onto their devices.

How is how it works:

• Scammers use messaging apps like Telegram and WhatsApp to send out malicious SMS and WhatsApp messages posing as legitimate companies.

• The messages contain links or phone numbers to phishing websites. If you respond to either, the hacker will try to get your personal information.

• Alternate text scams involve fake URLs that download malware. If you click on the link, your phone will download spyware that gives hackers access to your online accounts and lets them read your messages.

How to protect yourself

• Install anti-spyware software on your devices and keep it updated.
• Be wary of any suspicious emails and texts, and avoid clicking on any links or attachments.

4. Doxxing which leads to fraud and harassment

Doxxing is the act of putting someone’s private information online so that everyone can see it. The phrase comes from the hacker culture of the 1990s when hackers would “drop docs” to find out who someone really was. In the modern world, doxxing can lead to fraud and other invasions of privacy.

How is how it works:

• A hacker uses your mobile number to collect and publish your private information on public websites.

• Doxxing could happen on the Dark Web, where identity thieves dump the personal information of thousands (or even millions) of people after a data breach.

• Once hackers have your information, they may use it to bother you, steal your identity, or get into your online accounts.

How to protect yourself

• Use strong passwords and keep them secure.
• Don’t post personal information online.
• Don’t share sensitive documents publicly.
• Don’t fall for scams or phishing attempts.
• Avoid using the same username and password for multiple accounts.

5. Reroute your messages

Scammers cannot make changes to your account with just your mobile phone. However, hackers have discovered ways to reroute your phone number.

Here’s how it works:

• Hackers contact your phone carrier pretending to be you. They use your name and other information about you that they have stolen to get through security checks.

• They ask the company to send your mobile calls and texts to their number instead. Once the rerouting is done, the scammer can read all of your messages before they reach you.

• Even worse, they can get into your online accounts by clicking “forgot password” and using the link sent to their phone to reset your password to take over your accounts.

• Another method scammers use is, they message you over an item you are selling and ask you to send them a code to “verify” your identity. But what comes is a verification code that lets the scammer use your phone number.

How to protect yourself

• Be wary of emails or messages that have been redirected or rerouted.
• Check the sender’s email address to ensure it matches the original sender.
• Be cautious of unexpected messages from unknown contacts.
• Verify any links or attachments with the sender.
• Do not click on any links or attachments unless you are sure it is from the original sender.

6. Spoofing caller identification numbers

What can a scammer do with my name and phone number? Spoofing is a scam in which cybercriminals change the caller ID that shows up on the recipient’s phone to make it look like the call came from a reputable company. This is how a scammer can call you while your caller ID says “IRS” or “FBI.” FBI Sacramento field office has warned about scammers posing as FBI agents.

How is how it works:

• You get a call from a business or government agency that you know and trust, like the IRS. And when you pick up the phone, you find yourself talking to a scammer.

• The cybercriminal pretends to be a government official and tells you about an urgent situation. For example, they might say you owe money to the government or need to “confirm” your SSN to keep it safe from scammers.

• This fake caller will try to get you to give out personal information or pay with your credit card over the phone.

How to protect yourself

• Implement anti-spoofing access lists. 
• Use email authentication services. 
• Monitor your systems for suspicious activity and malicious emails.

7. SIM swaps

SIM swapping, also called SIM jacking, happens when scammers use the “porting” feature of your mobile carrier to get your phone number. Porting is a security feature that safeguards your data when you switch phone service providers. But scammers can use the system to get your number by using a new SIM card and your number.

Here’s how it works:

• A fraudster calls your phone company and pretends to be you to ask that your phone number be “ported out.”

• The company puts your phone number on the SIM card of the hacker.

• With access to your phone number, the hacker can not only receive messages on your behalf, but also send them, make calls, and gain access to your accounts.

How to protect yourself

• Use two-factor authentication.
• Activate a PIN or passcode for your SIM
• Monitor your account activity regularly.
• Set up alerts for any changes to your account.
• Contact your provider immediately if you suspect a SIM swap.

8. Exploit your family

When hackers have your name and phone number, they do not always go after you. Sometimes, they go after your friends and family instead. In these scams, scammers use your name and phone number to get your family and friends to send them money or personal information. 

Here’s how it works:

• Hackers usually take over your number by swapping SIM cards or taking over your account.

• Then, they send a message to a family member saying they are in trouble and need money to get out.

• In an effort to assist you, your family member may unknowingly wire money to the fraudster

How to protect yourself

Never give out personal information such as address, bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, or passwords over the phone.

Keep your phone number and address private.

Inform all of your friends and relatives if you discover that your personal information has been compromised to keep them from being scammed.

Read also: track any fraudster down fast

Can someone steal your identity with your name and phone number?

It is possible for someone to steal your identity using your name and phone number. Criminals can use your phone number to port it to a fake account, allowing them to access your personal information, such as bank accounts, credit cards, passwords , social security numbers.

If you are careless about who you disclose your cell phone number to and fraudsters get hold of your phone number, they might use social engineering or other techniques to get more information about you.

Your phone number is a convenient entry point for scammers and identity thieves.

They use it to trick you into downloading spyware and malware, send you phishing SMS, or engage in social engineering attacks to get access to your personal information. 

Should I change my phone number if a scammer has it?

It’s not worth it to change your phone number if a scammer has it. But if you feel the need to do so, you can change your phone number. This will help protect your identity and prevent the scammer from using your phone number for further malicious activities.

Additionally, you should also consider changing any passwords or PINs associated with your phone number, as well as changing the personal identification number for your account with your phone company. To ensure your security, you should also look into SIM swapping prevention measures, such as using a two-factor authentication system.

Ways a scammer got your name and registered phone number

a. Phishing

This is a technique used by scammers to obtain your personal information.

b. Hacking

Scammers try to get your personal information by taking advantage of the security deficiencies in your mobile device, computer, or network. Scammers can also get your information by breaking into private or government accounts. 

c. Fake online profiles

Scammers can build a phony online profile on a social networking or dating website, then send you a “friend” request under the guise of wanting to be your “friend.” They eventually find out your phone number and name—that’s that.

d. Document theft

This occurs when a scammer has access to your name and contact number about you by going through unlocked mailboxes or abandoned personal documents like old utility bills, insurance renewals, or medical data.

e. Remote access scams

In remote access scams, the scammer convinces you into granting access to the use of your computer and paying for unnecessary service.

f. Through malware and ransomware

Malware fools you into installing software that will give criminals access to your data and allow them to watch what you do on your computer, while ransomware will lock your computer or files and demand payment to “unlock” them.

g. Data breaches

Scammers acquire your personal information through a data breach at a company or government agency. Unknown to you that your sensitive information is already in the hands of scammers.

Warning signs of a scammer looking to get your name and number

• An unsolicited email, text message, or phone contact requesting personal information
• A friend request from a stranger on social media
• A compromised mailbox 
• Unwanted pop-ups on your mobile device or computer requesting permission to run software appear.
• An email or text message requesting that you “verify” or “confirm” your personal information by clicking a link or opening an attachment. The communication might be poorly worded or contain grammatical problems.

Conclusion

Understanding how to avoid being a victim of internet scams is very important in today’s technological world. With your name and phone number, identity thieves can easily access your personal information, steal your identity, and deceive you into giving them other sensitive data.

But with the precautions outlined in this article and keeping your personal information private, you can greatly decrease your likelihood of becoming a victim. Always remember that awareness, caution, and confidence in your instincts are your finest lines of defense.