Why You Shouldn't Share Your Phone Number Everywhere

Your phone number is even more personal than your email address: it often stays the same for years and is linked to many of your accounts.

Why is your number valuable?

The number you give to a service can be used to match you with your accounts on other platforms. In data leaks, phone numbers can be exposed along with email addresses.

Common risks

• Spam and marketing calls: Your number can end up on marketing lists.
• Phishing messages: Texts impersonating delivery companies or banks land on your personal number.
• Account security: Someone who knows your number can use account recovery steps to target you.

What can you do?

1. Use your own number for important accounts (banking, email) and don't share it anywhere else.
2. For one-time sign-ups, choose a disposable number.
3. Use an authenticator app instead of SMS wherever possible.
4. Hide your number from others on social media.

A small change in habits greatly reduces how far your number spreads.