Stop Using Your Real Phone Number

Despite the importance of safeguarding this information, many people casually share their personal cell phone numbers with businesses, acquaintances, and online platforms.

PRIVACY

8/29/20248 min read

The Importance of Protecting Your Personal Cell Phone Number: A Guide to Enhanced Privacy

Our cell phones have become extensions of ourselves. They hold our most intimate conversations, personal information, and even our financial details. Yet, despite the importance of safeguarding this information, many people casually share their personal cell phone numbers with businesses, acquaintances, and online platforms. This habit can lead to various privacy concerns, from unsolicited marketing calls to more serious security risks.

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I’ve worked with more clients than I can count in my line of work, and I’ve seen just about every kind of problem that comes with the modern digital age. One thing that sticks with me, one thing that’s burned into my mind from years of experience, is the importance of being able to stay off the radar physically and digitally, and safeguarding your real phone number like it’s a state secret. It’s not just about keeping telemarketers at bay or dodging the endless stream of robocalls. It’s about something far deeper, something more fundamental: protecting your privacy, your security, and by extension, the sanctity of your day-to-day life.

The moment you hand over your real number, you’ve effectively opened a door into your world. It’s not just a phone number anymore; it’s a breadcrumb that leads back to you. Bad actors, scam artists, and those with less-than-honorable intentions are always on the prowl. They’re sophisticated, persistent, and utterly relentless. Your phone number isn’t just a communication tool; it’s a point of entry. It connects to your identity, your finances, your professional dealings, and even your home.

Imagine a client—an executive working in a sensitive field—calling me, frantic. Their personal number had been leaked through a poorly secured vendor’s database. What followed was an avalanche of issues: phishing attempts, identity theft, and even harassing calls that unsettled their family. A phone number, just ten digits, had turned their world upside down. That experience solidified a practice I’d been preaching but now enforce religiously: never use your personal number for anything other than private, trusted communications. It turned out that the breach was a result of a Verizon cyber security internal penetration (an insider hacked the company before quitting). In this instance I immediately advised him to go with a pre-paid plan anonymous phone plan. Why? Because major phone companies, collect the following data: Name, address, social security number, bank account information, a Google account login, and more. My client never gave any of this information again. From this point, not only did he save $2000 a year, but he now has an Apple smart phone with no personal information. No name, address, social security number, banking information, or email. He pays as he wants and his name doesn't even show up on caller ID, because he doesn't EXIST digitally on cell networks and through malicious data brokers.

Using alternate numbers or burner apps is an easy and effective solution. They act as a buffer, a shield that keeps your real contact information out of reach. With tools like these, you can handle business dealings, interact with service providers, and even dabble in online transactions without exposing yourself. Think of it as a virtual firewall for your phone, one that prevents unwanted intrusions into your life.

In the field of disaster preparedness, protecting your phone number might not sound like it has the gravitas of building a bug-out bag or drafting an emergency plan, but its importance can’t be overstated. Communication lines are critical, yes, but secure communication lines are essential. Once your number is compromised, it doesn’t just stop at the nuisance level. It can escalate quickly into something more dangerous. Threats that begin in the digital realm have a nasty habit of spilling into the physical one. All it takes is one slip—one unsecured form you filled out at a trade show, one innocuous loyalty program you signed up for—and suddenly, your private line is ringing off the hook with calls you’d rather not answer.

For those of us who’ve dealt with these scenarios firsthand, the lesson is clear: your phone number is more than just a string of digits. It’s a vulnerability, a thread that can unravel the fabric of your security. And in a world where threats evolve as fast as the technology that supports them, guarding that thread is a mission no one should take lightly.

Why You Should Only Share Your Number with Family

Your personal cell phone number is a direct link to you. Unlike email addresses or social media handles, which can be changed or managed with relative ease, your cell phone number is often tied to your identity for years, if not decades. Here are a few reasons why you should be extremely selective about who gets access to this number:

Security Risks: Sharing your number widely increases the risk of it falling into the wrong hands. Scammers and hackers can use your number for identity theft, phishing schemes, or even SIM-swapping attacks, which can lead to financial loss and a breach of your personal data.
Privacy Invasion: Once your number is out there, you open the door to endless telemarketing calls, spam texts, and even harassment. Your peace of mind can be easily disrupted by unwanted contacts, and your phone can become a source of stress rather than convenience.
Data Tracking: Many apps and websites request your phone number for account creation or verification. However, this information can be used to track your online activities, create detailed profiles about you, and sell this data to third-party advertisers.
Loss of Control: Once your number is shared, it's out of your control. Even if you trust the person or business you're giving it to, there's no guarantee that they won't accidentally leak it, sell it, or pass it on to others.

The Free Solution: Using a Virtual Phone Number

One of the most effective ways to protect your personal number while still maintaining communication is to use a virtual phone number. These numbers are easy to obtain, often free, and can be used in place of your real number for a variety of purposes.

Virtual phone numbers work just like regular phone numbers, but they aren't tied to a physical SIM card. You can receive calls and texts through them, and many services allow you to forward these communications to your real phone number or handle them entirely online. This means you can keep your personal number private while still staying connected.

Here’s why using a virtual number is a smart move:

Enhanced Privacy: You can give out a virtual number without worrying about it being linked to your personal identity.
Control Over Communication: If a virtual number starts receiving too many spam calls or messages, you can simply disconnect it and get a new one, without any impact on your personal phone.
Separation of Work and Personal Life: For those who run a business or need a public contact number, a virtual number allows you to keep your professional and personal communications separate.

Explore Enhanced Privacy Methods

For those who want to dive deeper into protecting their privacy, especially regarding phone numbers, there are excellent resources available. The Privacy Essentials Bundle and Never Use Your Real Number Again are comprehensive ebooks that provide strategies and tips for maintaining privacy in an increasingly connected world. These guides cover everything from using virtual numbers to other advanced techniques to ensure your personal information remains secure.

How to Set Up a Google Voice Phone Number: A Step-by-Step Guide

Google Voice is a popular and versatile service that provides you with a free virtual phone number, which can be used for calls, texts, and voicemail. It’s an excellent option for those looking to protect their privacy by keeping their personal cell phone number private while still maintaining a reliable way to communicate.

Why Use Google Voice?

Before diving into the setup process, it’s worth understanding the benefits of using Google Voice:

Privacy: You can give out your Google Voice number instead of your personal cell phone number, keeping your main number secure.
Flexibility: Google Voice allows you to forward calls and texts to your real phone, making it easy to manage communications from one place.
Accessibility: You can access Google Voice from multiple devices, including your smartphone, tablet, and computer.
Cost-Effective: The service is free for calls and texts within the U.S., and international rates are competitive.

How to Set Up a Google Voice Phone Number

Setting up a Google Voice number is a straightforward process. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Sign in to Google Voice

Visit the Google Voice website: Go to voice.google.com using your web browser.
Sign in with your Google account: If you don’t already have a Google account, you’ll need to create one. If you have one, simply sign in.

Step 2: Choose a Google Voice Number

Click on “For personal use”: You’ll be prompted to choose between options for personal or business use. Select "For personal use."
Select a phone number: Enter your city or area code in the search box to find available numbers in your region. You can also choose a number from a different area code if you prefer.
Click “Select”: Once you’ve found a number you like, click "Select" to confirm your choice.

Step 3: Link Your Google Voice Number to Your Phone

Verify your existing phone number: Google Voice will ask you to link your new virtual number to an existing phone number. Enter your current cell phone number to proceed.
Receive a verification code: Google will send a six-digit code to your linked phone number via SMS. Enter this code on the website to verify your phone.
Set up call forwarding: You’ll have the option to forward calls from your Google Voice number to your linked phone. This means that calls to your Google Voice number will ring on your personal phone, allowing you to answer them seamlessly.

Step 4: Configure Settings and Preferences

Access the settings menu: Click on the gear icon in the upper-right corner to access the settings menu.
Customize voicemail: Set up your voicemail greeting, and choose whether to receive transcriptions of your voicemail messages via text or email.
Manage call forwarding and notifications: Decide whether you want to receive notifications for missed calls, text messages, and voicemails. You can also tweak how and when calls are forwarded to your linked phone.
Block spam calls: Google Voice has a spam filter that you can enable to automatically block suspected spam calls.

Step 5: Start Using Your Google Voice Number

Once everything is set up, you can start using your Google Voice number for calls, texts, and voicemail. Here’s how:

Making Calls: You can make calls directly from the Google Voice app on your smartphone, or through the Google Voice website on your computer.
Sending Texts: Text messaging works similarly, allowing you to send and receive SMS messages using your Google Voice number.
Voicemail: Access your voicemail through the app or website, where you can listen to messages or read transcriptions.

Managing Your Google Voice Number

Google Voice offers flexibility in how you manage your number:

Changing Numbers: If you need to change your Google Voice number, you can do so, though there may be a small fee.
Porting Your Number: You can port your Google Voice number to another service if you decide to switch providers.
Using Multiple Devices: Since Google Voice is tied to your Google account, you can use it across multiple devices without needing separate accounts or setups.

In conclusion, your personal cell phone number is a critical piece of information that should be guarded carefully. By limiting its exposure to only close family members and using a virtual phone number for all other interactions, you can significantly enhance your privacy and protect yourself from potential threats. Take control of your digital identity today and explore the resources available to help you master the art of privacy.