Your Phone Number Is Exposed

Finding your phone number on the dark web means criminals have access to a key piece of your identity. Phone numbers are used for account recovery, 2FA, and identity verification.

The Risks of Phone Number Exposure

SIM Swapping Attacks

Criminals can:

Call your carrier pretending to be you
Transfer your number to their SIM
Receive your 2FA codes
Access your accounts

Phishing and Vishing

Expect increased:

Scam calls and texts
Phishing SMS messages
Impersonation attempts
Robocalls

Account Takeovers

Your number may be used to:

Reset passwords via SMS
Bypass security questions
Verify identity fraudulently

Immediate Steps to Take

1. Add a PIN to Your Carrier Account

Contact your carrier to add a security PIN:

Verizon: Account PIN required for changes
AT&T: Extra Security passcode
T-Mobile: Account PIN
Other carriers: Ask about port protection

2. Switch Away from SMS 2FA

Move to more secure 2FA methods:

Authenticator apps (Google Authenticator, Authy)
Hardware keys (YubiKey)
Push notifications

3. Enable Account Alerts

Set up notifications for:

SIM changes
Account modifications
New device activations

4. Monitor for Suspicious Activity

Watch for:

Unexpected loss of cell service
Password reset texts you didn't request
Unknown account notifications

Long-Term Protection

Consider a New Number

If attacks persist:

Get a new primary number
Keep old number for legacy accounts
Update important accounts gradually

Use Virtual Numbers

For signups and less important accounts:

Google Voice
Burner apps
Privacy-focused services

Reduce Phone Number Exposure

Remove from data brokers
Don't share publicly
Use alternate numbers for forms

GhostMyData Protection

We help protect your phone number by:

Removing it from data broker sites
Monitoring for dark web exposure
Alerting you to new breaches

Get phone number protection with your free scan.

What to Do If Your Phone Number Is on the Dark Web (2026 Guide)