There may be a time when you need to change to a different phone number. Along with that change comes a responsibility to keep your personal information safe. It’s important to remember to delete old accounts associated with your old phone number to ensure your security.
For starters, be sure to update your contact information associated with any of your current accounts with your new phone number. But it’s also critical to delete accounts that are no longer active or associated with your old phone number. If you don’t, this information could still be out there, potentially leaving you vulnerable to security risks.
One associated risk includes sharing private information over texts and other apps that are on your phone. A recent example included WhatsApp. A stranger was receiving messages that were intended for the person who was previously linked to the cell phone number. Your old number is still associated with your WhatsApp account unless you delete it. Carrier networks play a role in this when they recycle old phone numbers and give them to new users. The best thing to do is transfer the app account to a new phone number or delete the old account within the app.
It’s a good idea to disassociate old phone numbers from other apps on your phone as well. Here are a few security tips to keep in mind if you do get a new phone number:
- Delete social media accounts: Be sure to delete any old social media accounts, such as Twitter, Instagram or Facebook, associated with your old phone number. If you still have accounts with that number associated, make sure to delete it.
- Delete email accounts: Do you still have old email accounts with your old phone number associated with them? Make sure to delete these accounts to ensure no one has access to this personal information.
- Update password information: If you have an account with a phone number linked to it, be sure to change the associated password to a new one that’s not associated with your old phone number.
- Unsubscribe from any subscription services: If you still receive texts from subscription services or any other account associated with your old phone number, make sure to unsubscribe from them.
Deleting old accounts associated with an old phone number is key to keeping your information secure. Ben Franklin’s seventeenth century saying is still true today, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It’s much better to take precautions now than to suffer the consequences later!
As always, NGT is here to help!
Contact ngthelp.com with questions.