How to Change Your Phone Number After Identity Theft (2024)

The first thing you will want to do before you change your number after being a victim of data theft is compile a list of accounts associated with your phone number. After you've done that, we’ve assembled a list explaining how to change your number on your major online accounts to help simplify the process for you.

We also recommend that you consider an identity theft protection service to help you avoid future leaks or hacks that could jeopardize your personal information.

How to request a new phone number

If your current phone number was stolen as part of an identity theft scam, it’s probably a good idea to get a new number. Most cell phone service providers allow you to change your wireless number at least once. Here’s what to know about each major service provider:

AT&T

AT&T lets you change your number for free if it’s been less than 30 days since you activated your current phone number. But if it’s been 30 days or more, you’ll need to pay a $36 change fee. You can request a new AT&T phone number in a store, on the myAT&T app, or by contacting customer service.

T-Mobile (and Sprint)

You’ll need to contact T-Mobile to request a new number. You’re allowed one free number change per year, and any changes after that cost $15.

Verizon Wireless

Verizon doesn’t list how many times you can change phone numbers, but it does note that you can avoid the $15 fee by requesting a change in the My Verizon app instead of calling customer service.

How to change your phone number on Google

Google notes on their support website that it could take up to seven days before your new number is recognized and used with Google.

iPhone or iPad

1. Click on the Gmail app. If you do not use Gmail, use myaccount.google.com in your web browser.
2. Select your profile picture at the top right and select Manage Your Google Account.
3. Tap Personal info.
4. Click Phone under Contact Info.
5. Hit Edit next to your phone number and then Update Number.
6. Follow the prompts to completion.

Desktop computer

1. Log into your Google account.
2. Navigate to Personal Info.
3. Click Phone under Contact Info.
4. Hit Edit next to your phone number and then Update Number.
5. Follow the prompts to completion.

You can also delete an old phone number on either application by following the same steps listed above.

How to change your phone number on Facebook

The Facebook app allows you to easily add and remove phone numbers associated with your account. The company also endorses adding an email to your account in case you lose your phone number entirely.

First, you will want to add your new phone number before removing the old phone number.

Add a phone number

1. Click on your profile photo.
2. Select Settings & Privacy.
3. Select Settings.
4. Tap on Mobile near the left column.
5. Click Add a Phone or Add another mobile number.
6. Type in your phone number and select your method of confirmation before hitting Continue.
7. Ensure your mobile texts are turned on if you selected the phone verification method.
8. Type in your confirmation code and click Confirm.

Remove a phone number

1. Click on your profile photo.
2. Select Settings & Privacy.
3. Select Settings.
4. Tap on Mobile near the left column.
5. Find the number you want to remove and click Remove.
6. Tap Remove Number.

How to change your phone number on Instagram

If you are using the Instagram App, follow the instructions below.

1. Log in to your Instagram account and click on your profile picture.
2. Click Edit Profile.
3. Scroll down and select Personal Information Settings.
4. Select the phone number option.
5. Tap the remove option and hit remove phone number.
6. Add your new number and click Next.
7. You will receive an SMS notification code.
8. Enter your code into the provided field.
9. Click Done to save your new phone number.

To ensure a safer Instagram experience, the company now offers a two-factor authentication option for you, which is an option that will take one further step to verify your identity before you log on to the site.

How to change your phone number on Twitter

To update your phone number on the Twitter app, go to your navigation menu.

1. Select Settings and Privacy.
2. Select Account.
3. Tap Phone Number.
4. Choose Update Number.
5. Follow the prompts to completion.

Twitter offers a plethora of information regarding your phone number in their phone FAQ section of the website, including the importance of having a number associated with your Twitter account and why it is important to keep your number current.

How to change your phone number on TikTok

Like many social media platforms, TikTok suggests that you add an email to ensure a smoother account recovery process. They also offer two-factor authentication for a more secure experience. You can keep your phone number up-to-date by following the instructions below.

1. In the TikTok app, click Profile.
2. Select the Menu button at the top of the page.
3. Click Settings and Privacy.
4. Choose Manage Account
5. Click Phone Number.
6. Select Change Phone. TikTok will then ask you to verify your identity and old phone number with a code.
7. On the next screen, enter your new phone number and then hit Send Code.
8. Verify your new phone number by selecting the code

Please note that step six requires verification of your old phone number. If your old phone number is no longer active, follow the steps below to contact TikTok support.

1. Open the TikTok app.
2. Click on your Profile icon.
3. On the top right, click the three horizontal bars for the menu icon.
4. Choose Settings and Privacy.
5. Scroll to the support section and click on Report a Problem.
6. Choose Account and Profile.
7. Choose Email and Phone Number.
8. Click on “Changing the phone number or email associated with an account.”
9. When it asks if your problem is resolved, hit No.
10. Tap Need More Help?
11. Enter your details in the three boxes provided.
12. Hit Submit.

After you go through this process, TikTok support should contact you regarding the issue.

How to change your phone number on WhatsApp

For those who enjoy watching instructional videos, WhatsApp has gone through the step-by-step instructions of changing your phone number in this video.

1. Open WhatsApp settings.
2. Go to Account.
3. Click change number and Next.
4. Enter your old phone number in the first prompt and your new phone number in the second prompt. Make sure both numbers are in the international number formatwith your country code, area code, and seven-digit phone number.
5. Hit Next.
6. Choose between notifying all contacts or custom contacts.
7. Hit Done.
8. Follow the prompts to register your new phone number.

How to change your phone number on YouTube

In order to sign into YouTube, you will have to use your Google account. Because Google and YouTube are connected seamlessly for you, you only need to follow the same procedures for changing your Google phone number for your number to also change with YouTube.

iPhone or iPad

1. Click on the Gmail app. If you do not use Gmail, use myaccount.google.com in your web browser.
2. Select your profile picture at the top right and select Manage Your Google Account.
3. Tap Personal info.
4. Click Phone under Contact Info.
5. Hit Edit next to your phone number and then Update Number.
6. Follow the prompts to completion.

Desktop computer

1. Log into your Google account.
2. Navigate to Personal Info.
3. Click Phone under Contact Info.
4. Hit Edit next to your phone number and then Update Number.
5. Follow the prompts to completion.

How to change your phone number on Reddit

A phone number is not required to set up a new Reddit account. To initially obtain an account, you will only need to sync either your Google account or Apple ID. You can also create an account with an email address.

If you previously set up two-factor authentication on Reddit and need to change the phone number you used prior, you will most likely need to submit a support ticket to get your phone number changed. This is especially true if you cannot remember your backup codes provided to you during the two-factor authentication setup process.

How to change your phone number on Snapchat

Snapchat authorizes one account per unique email or phone number. You can easily change your phone number by following the steps below.

1. Go to the Profile screen and click on Settings.
2. In the My Account section, choose Mobile Number.
3. Enter your mobile number and click Verify.
4. When you receive a pop-up, click Send via SMS to receive your verification code.
5. You can choose to receive the verification code from a phone call by clicking the Call me instead option.
6. Enter your verification code from the SMS or phone call and hit Continue.

How to change your phone number on LinkedIn

Your personal phone number is never displayed on your LinkedIn account, but it is recommended to have it on the account for account recovery purposes. You can add and remove your phone numbers through Linkedin’s settings.

1. Locate and click on the Me icon at the top of your LinkedIn page.
2. Choose Settings & Privacy.
3. Under Sign in & security, select Account access.
4. Find Phone Numbers and tap Change.
5. Click Add Phone Number in the New Phone Number tab.
6. Click Send Code.
7. Enter your LinkedIn password and click Done.
8. Enter your verification code and hit Confirm.

To remove your phone number from Linkedin, follow this same process, clicking Remove Phone Number in step five.

Why change your phone number?

Your phone number is one of the most important parts of your personally identifiable information (PII) that you own. It is used to verify your identity, communicate with you, and pinpoint your location. It’s no wonder that phone numbers are targeted by thieves.

If you've recently been the victim of identity theft, then changing your phone number is one of the optimum ways to protect yourself from repeated identity theft and can also stop spam calls. There are also various software services and tools that can protect you from repeated identity theft. Here are some of the most popular options:

• Norton LifeLock: LifeLock’s features include identity theft protection that can help keep your personal details safe from hackers and identity thieves. You’ll get notifications about suspicious activity, and Norton LifeLock can also help you get back access to your accounts if someone does steal your information.

  Get Norton LifeLock | Read Our Norton LifeLock Review

• Bitdefender: Bitdefender’s identity theft protection service provides dark web monitoring and alerts about suspicious activity. Plus, Bitdefender protects your devices from viruses and malware, which can also prevent your personal info from being stolen.

  Get Bitdefender | Read Our Bitdefender Review

• AVG: AVG offers BreachGuard, which blocks data brokers from selling your information and can help you reset all your passwords if your data gets compromised. AVG also sends alerts about dark web activity, and, if your info is leaked, AVG can give you instructions on what to do.

  Get AVG | Read Our AVG Review

Featured identity theft protection services

FAQs

Bottom line

Being a victim of identity theft can be a horrible experience, but there are steps you can take to prevent repeated victimization. One of those critical steps is getting a new phone number and changing your number on your social media platforms. Moreover, you may also want to consider deleting social media sites or general online accounts you no longer use.

Changing your phone number in combination with shedding unnecessary online accounts may prevent you from being further targeted by criminals. Remaining proactive about which sites have access to your phone number is an important step in keeping your identity safe.

Additionally, you should check out an identity theft protection service to monitor your credit and bank accounts. Many also offer social media and dark web monitoring to further ensure your data remains secure.