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Steps to take when your phone number is publicly listed online

Here are a few actionable steps to take to protect your phone number and your privacy.

Discovering that your phone number is out there for the world to see is a bit like realizing that you have been shouting your business in a crowded room. You might notice (more)spam callsblowing up your phone or fishy texts sliding into your inbox.

Therefore, if your number has been leaked or publicly listed online, here is your cheat sheet to get it ‘out of sight, out of mind.’

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Step 1: Google yourself

First things first - go ahead and Google your number. This will help you see where your number is floating around. Type in your name along with your phone number and check what comes up.

If you want to dig deeper, hit up some people-search websites likeWhitepages,PeekYou, or Spokeo. These collect all sorts of public information, so if they have your digits, you will know where to begin your cleanup.

Step 2: Erase your tracks on people-search sites

Next, take aim at any sites listing your data. Many of these people-search platforms, including Whitepages and Spokeo, feature opt-out options for removing your details. Here is the drill:

Heads up: this isn’t a one-click wonder. You will need to visit each site separately. But hey, think of it like the spring cleaning for your digital life.

Step 3: Tighten up your social media settings

Every so often, it is social media that is the culprit for making your personal data way too public. Take a quick run-through of your privacy settings on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and any other accounts you use.

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It only takes a minute, but it can save you from a lot of unsolicited attention.

Step 4: Clear out cached search results

Ever notice that something you deleted still somehow shows up on Google? This is because every so often, search engines hold onto the ‘cached’ versions of old pages. So, even if you have deleted your number from a site, it might still show up in search results.

Fortunately, Google has a Refresh Outdated Content tool you can deploy to update search results. Just plug in the URL where your personal information used to be, and it will work its magic.

Step 5: Block the nuisance calls

If spam calls start to invade your phone, it is time to get serious about call filtering. Both iPhone and Android have built-in settings to silence unknown numbers:

That said, third-party apps likeTruecallerorHiyacan also give you an extra layer of defense against spam calls. Caller ID on steroids, if you will.

Step 6: Jump on the Do Not Call Registry

If telemarketers are wearing out your patience, the National Do Not Call Registry could give you a breather. Sign up atdonotcall.gov(for the United States) and within a month, legit marketing calls should start to dwindle. Keep in mind though that it is not foolproof, more like an additional layer of armor against spam.

And remember, this only covers legitimate marketers. Scammers might still slip through, so stay cautious with any unknown numbers.

Step 7: Stay wary of phishing texts and ‘smishing’

With your number public, you might notice more junk texts claiming your ‘bank account has been compromised’ or offering a ‘free vacation.’ Don’t take the bait! These scams (known as SMS phishing or ‘smishing’) can look kosher, but tapping on links or replying only gives scammers a green light to continue bugging you.

Instead, just delete them. Additionally, if you are feeling proactive, you can report spam texts by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM) on most mobile carriers in the US. Don’t let those scammers reel you in.

Step 8: Create a public phone number

If your main number has been put through the wringer enough, it might be a good idea to get a second, public-friendly number. Tools likeGoogle Voiceallow you to create another phone number that forwards to your actual device. You can provide it instead of your original number in online forms, shopping sites, dating apps, and the like.

Should your public number start getting spammed too, no worries. You can change it easily, without the hassle of switching your primary phone number.

Extra step: Run an online privacy check periodically

Even after you have done the heavy lifting, be on the lookout for any fresh leaks. Every once in a while, repeat steps #1 and #2 to make sure your deets haven’t popped up somewhere new. You also might consider a privacy monitoring tool.

On top of that, when creating new accounts anywhere online, go ahead and skip sharing your phone number whenever possible. The less it is available to whomever, the better.

Final thoughts

Finding your phone number in the wild can feel awfully personal, and dealing with the fallout can give you a headache. Remember, however, that you are doing everything in your power to protect your privacy. And hey, in today’s digital jungle, a little bit of labor goes a long way.

While you might not be able to scrub yourself from the Internet completely, these smart practices will help you stay in control and get rid of the spammy, scammy stuff. So, pour yourself a cup of tea (or whatever you like) and take it easy. You can do this.

TechRadar Pro created this content as part of a paid partnership with Incogni. The content of this article is entirely independent and solely reflects the editorial opinion of TechRadar Pro.

Sead is a seasoned freelance journalist based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He writes about IT (cloud, IoT, 5G, VPN) and cybersecurity (ransomware, data breaches, laws and regulations). In his career, spanning more than a decade, he’s written for numerous media outlets, including Al Jazeera Balkans. He’s also held several modules on content writing for Represent Communications.

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