Steps to take when your phone number is publicly listed online

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 calls blowing 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.’

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 like Whitepages, 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:

1. Visit the website.
2. Find the ‘Opt-Out’ or ‘Remove Listing’ section (typically tucked away in the Help or Privacy areas).
3. Follow their instructions – most will have you fill out a form or submit an email request.

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.

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.

• On Facebook: Head to your profile by clicking on your account image and name in the top right corner > Edit details > Update Your Information > Overview or Contact and basic info, and make sure only you can see your contact details.
• On LinkedIn: Click on your image > Settings & Privacy > Name, location, and industry > Edit contact info, and double-check if your phone number is publicly listed.
• On Instagram and X: While they don’t usually display your phone number, it is worth checking their settings as well in case they are linked to your profile.

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:

• On iPhone: Go to Settings > Phone, scroll down, and tap to turn on the option to Silence Unknown Callers. This way, only your contacts can ring through, and unknown numbers are silenced.
• On Android: Open Settings > Spam and Call Screen or Call barring (depending on the model of the phone and the system version), where you can enable call screening or block known spammers.

That said, third-party apps like Truecaller or Hiya can 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 at donotcall.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 like Google Voice allow 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.

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.