Therefore, we need to learn how to protect it. When your number is not safe, bad things can happen. People can send you spam messages. They can also try to trick you with scams. Finally, they can try to steal your information.
Be Careful Where You Share Your Number
You should not give out your phone number to just anyone. Be careful when you sign up for websites. Read the rules before you type in your number. Think if they really need it. Many companies want your number to send you ads. You can often say "no" to this.
Furthermore, never put your number on social media. People you do not know can see it there. This makes it easy for scammers to find you. Only share your number with people you trust.
How to Stop Unwanted Calls and Texts
Do you get a lot of spam calls? Luckily, there are simple ways to stop them. First, do not answer calls from numbers you do not know. If it is important, they will leave a message. Many phones have a feature that can block unknown callers.
Also, you can report unwanted calls. The government has a "Do Not Call" list. You can add your number to it for free. This helps stop sales calls from real companies. You can also block numbers on your phone.
Use Your Phone's Built-in Tools
Your smartphone has tools to help you. Look in your overseas data phone's settings for "Call Blocking." You can add numbers to this list. When those numbers call, your phone will not ring.
Also, you can get special apps. These apps find and block bad calls for you. They can also tell you if a call might be a scam. Using these tools gives you more power.
Be Smart with Apps and Privacy
When you download a new app, it might ask for permission. For instance, it might want to see your contacts. Or it might want to know your location. Be careful what you let apps do. Only give them access to what they truly need. You can always change these settings later.
Keep Your Phone Updated
Always make sure your phone's software is updated. These updates often fix problems. They also add new safety features. A phone with old software is easier to hack. So, it is a good idea to update as soon as you can. It keeps your phone working its best.
Be Aware of Smishing and Phishing
Smishing is a type of scam that happens through text messages. Phishing happens through emails or messages too. Scammers pretend to be a company you know. They might say there is a problem with your bank account. They will then send you a link to click. But the link is not real. It is a trick to get your private info. Therefore, you should never click on a link from someone you do not know. If you are worried, go to the company's real website yourself. Do not use the link from the text.
Do Not Fall for SIM Swapping
SIM swapping is a new and very tricky scam. A SIM card is the tiny chip that connects your phone to the network. In this scam, a criminal calls your phone company. They pretend to be you. They try to get your phone number moved to their SIM card. When they succeed, all your calls and texts go to their phone. Then they can get your passwords and get into your bank accounts. So, it is a very dangerous crime. To avoid this, you can set a PIN on your SIM card. You can also ask your phone company to lock your number.
What to Do if You Get a Suspicious Call
If you get a call from an unknown number, do not answer it. If you do, hang up right away. Never call back a number you do not know. Sometimes a scammer will let the phone ring just once. They hope you will call back. Calling back can cost you money on your phone bill. Instead, you can block the number on your phone. You can also report the number to your cell phone company. Finally, you can register your number on a “Do Not Call” list. This helps with some sales calls.
Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication
You probably use your phone number to log into many things. It might be your email or social media. That is why it is so important to have strong passwords. Make your passwords long and unique for each website. A password manager can help you with this. For extra safety, use two-factor authentication. This means you need a second step to log in. It might be a code sent to your phone. However, it's even safer to use an authenticator app. This way, if a scammer gets your number, they still can’t get your codes.