Because a phone number often can be used to look up a customer’s address, stores say it helps them send special offers through the mail or tailor those offers to a customer’s prior purchases. Many stores have signs explaining such a policy near checkout counters.
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Do I have to give my phone number to stores?
Even if a retailer says, Let’s start with your phone number — you’re not obligated to give it to them. You have the right to decline. It’s your privacy.
Is it OK to give out your phone number?
Don’t give out your phone number online.
Unless you trust a person, don’t give them your number, even if you bought something from them. If you must share it, do it privately (via email or a direct message) and not on a public message board.
Can anyone do anything with your cell phone number?
Yes. Your phone number is out there on the web in various locations. Scammers can use stolen cell phone numbers and use it for two-factor authentication codes and other access to all your texts, apps, and other online accounts, they could have your cell phone number hijacked and do it through SIM swapping.
What can someone do with just your phone number?
If someone steals your phone number, they become you — for all intents and purposes. With your phone number, a hacker can start hijacking your accounts one by one by having a password reset sent to your phone. They can trick automated systems — like your bank — into thinking they’re you when you call customer service.
Why does everything require a phone number?
Having a (unique) phone number a mandatory requirement during registration can make spam fighting much easier.They consider the phone number as unique identifier of a user. Many websites think that lots of users have multiple emails and thus maybe sign up twice.
Why do retailers ask for your address?
Why shops really keep begging for your email address: They claim it’s to send you a receipt. But they actually just want to sell you more. Shoppers are being preyed on by stores that persuade customers to hand over their email addresses at the till.
Can you be hacked by giving out your phone number?
That said there are a few ways a hacker can use your phone number to help get extra access as part of a larger attack: ‘Phishing‘ for personal data. It’s common for hackers to send fake text messages to their targets in order to gain username and password information (this is known as phishing).
Why do stores ask for phone number and email?
“But some stores are thinking there’s money in your data.” Because a phone number often can be used to look up a customer’s address, stores say it helps them send special offers through the mail or tailor those offers to a customer’s prior purchases.
How do you know if your phone number is being used?
The ideal solution is to Record a voicemail message explaining your situation. ‘If you’re calling back in response to a call or message received from this number, please note that my phone number has been spoofed and is in the hands of some telemarketers or scammers, who are using it without my permission.
Is it safe to give your number to strangers?
With your phone number, online scammers can pose with your identity and use this opportunity to solicit close friends and family members for funds and other favours. Scammers who have no control of your phone number can still make it a target for robocalls and phishing texts.
Can someone hack my phone by texting me?
So to answer the question, “Can someone hack my phone by texting me?” No, your phone cannot be hacked by anyone just by receiving or opening the message. If you further follow the instructions of the text and click on the malicious link, then hacking might happen.
Can someone hack your phone number and send text messages?
Yes, your phone can be hacked by a text or call, but only if you allow it to. The best thing you can do on your part is to avoid installing the apps from unknown or unverified sources and never let yourself fooled into “Too Good to be True” offers.
What happens if your phone number is compromised?
A breached phone might be giving all its processing power over to the hacker’s shady applications. This can cause your phone to slow to a crawl. Unexpected freezing, crashes, and unexpected restarts can sometimes be symptoms. You notice strange activity on your other online accounts.
Why is a phone number important?
Like everything a business does in the modern age, your phone number is part of your personal branding. Local numbers, for example, tell potential customers where a business is based. Customers like them because local call charges are low and because they often prefer dealing with local companies.
Why does every website want my phone number?
A phone number enables an easy way to set up two-factor authentication for things like password resets or other sensitive actions. By calling you or sending a text message, the service can confirm that [access to] the phone [number] is a thing you have.
How do websites get your phone number?
Visiting websites with your smartphone on mobile data can reveal your full name, phone number, address, and even location.Whenever you are using your smartphone’s data plan, you are assigned a mobile IP address by your cell tower.
Why do clothing stores ask for your email?
Really, you’re not just giving up your email. You’re giving up your identity.With something so simple — asking for an email — they mean to imply that the business and you, the customer, are now closer than you actually are.
Why do retailers want your email?
For the retail industry, customer emails are currency. Get that address, and a company can personalize customers’ future experiences, targeting them for discounts and promotions that could make them more likely to become repeat customers.They’re told email collection affects how many hours they get each week.
Do you have to give your name and address when returning goods?
But a full refund requires the customer’s name, address and signature.Most customers are happy to give these details if they want their money back, and I understand why others wouldn’t.
How do spammers get my number?
How did they even get your phone number? Most telemarketers purchase phone numbers from third party data providers.You called an 800, 888, and/or 900 number (they use caller I.D. technology and collect phone numbers).