Should I change my mobile phone number?
By B Santiago
@mrsb21 (60)
Philippines
November 15, 2023 8:23am CST
I have had my phone number since 2016, and I believe it's been a while. I randomly receive text messages from scammers, which is normal. However, I also receive calls from people who are outside of the country like Congo and Russia. I didn't answer the call.
I also received a call from a scammer, she said she was offering a job. When my husband answered the call and pretended it was his number, he asked where they got the number, the caller said it was from Jobstreet. Jobstreet is an online platform where you can apply for jobs online like Upwork, but not remote jobs. With Jobstreet, your details are posted like your full name, your location, email address, and phone number. The caller can't answer the question, "Who are you calling?" She was supposed to know if she really saw my number on Jobstreet, but she didn't answer the question. She just repeated, "I'm offering a job."
Well, I don't have a Jobstreet account anymore, and I don't have any accounts on any online job platforms.
The scammer is not a Filipino but from another Asian country. I can tell with her accent.
I can request a change of number to the telephone company, but my concern is I will need to change my numbers to everything like banks, online money transfers, and all other accounts that I use because verification codes are sent to my mobile number.
I'm tired of blocking the numbers, and the security system of our country is very poor. All telephone companies here don't have a way to destroy these scammers. Even government agencies had been hacked.
Do you think I should change my number or stick to what I have?
4 people like this
4 responses
@jnrdutton (3144)
• United States
15 Nov 23
I'd definitely advise changing the number. The scam calls can be very irritating, A lot of them are fishing for information,in my experience. Another option is downloading apps that block spam calls automatically.
1 person likes this
@jnrdutton (3144)
• United States
15 Nov 23
There is one called RoboKiller, it's the one I hear most about as highly recommended. It's said to block most spam calls. I don't think any are going to block everything though, unfortunately.
1 person likes this
@mrsb21 (60)
• Philippines
16 Nov 23
@jnrdutton I'll check it out. Thanks so much!
1 person likes this
@TraveOnWorld (854)
• Georgia
15 Nov 23
Unless you can change the phone number easily at the bank and for online payments, a new phone number is more pain than pleasure. If it is possible, it might be less of a pain to change your phone to a newer model that can block easier.
I've also seen since removing facebook and not using chrome or gmail, I've had far fewer of these scam calls.
1 person likes this
@TraveOnWorld (854)
• Georgia
15 Nov 23
@mrsb21 Duckduckgo for the phone as it blocks everything. So I cannot use it for internet banking and payments. Firefox on the laptop, so I can do online banking there. Its really pain because there are many sites that don't load properly, but that for me is still better than all my information everywhere.
I also had to change numbers about two years ago and it was a really big problem.
2 people like this
@mrsb21 (60)
• Philippines
15 Nov 23
@TraveOnWorld Nice, thanks! I don't know that Duckduckgo. I'll try to use Firefox again. Hopefully, lesser scammers.
@wittynet (4421)
• Philippines
12 Feb
I can relate to you, as I often receive calls from different people on my landline number. Since I only use this landline number to call the service provider, I usually unplug the phone. Sometimes, if I'm in the mood to answer, I do so and explain that this is a residential number, not Lazada, which is the usual question of the caller.
I agree with @TravelOnWorld that changing the phone number is more of a hassle. You also need to update the number linked to all your bank accounts and other accounts where your cellphone number is registered.
@ShyBear88 (59347)
• Sterling, Virginia
15 Nov 23
Changing the number won't stop the calls. Everyone's numbers even private ones can still be found it's not hard to do either. It's just easier to ignore and report so they will be removed but don't block because some scammers use actual people's numbers that aren't there own to call or text from. It's happened to people who they said scammers have called from their number to themselves.
1 person likes this
@ShyBear88 (59347)
• Sterling, Virginia
15 Nov 23
@mrsb21 its a double edge sword one we can't win
1 person likes this
@mrsb21 (60)
• Philippines
15 Nov 23
I guess you're right. I will receive scammer calls even if I change my number. Oh well
