Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Davey Winder is a veteran cybersecurity writer, hacker and analyst. Update, Jan. 25, 2025: This story, originally published Jan.

Scammers have various methods when it comes to getting their hands on your phone number. You might think, "Well, what's the big deal? Isn't it easy to find someone's number these days, no matter what?

In an age of constant communication, receiving phone calls or messages from unknown numbers has become increasingly common. Whether it's a missed call from an unfamiliar number, a potential scam or a ...