The unauthorized registration for services using an individual’s telephone number represents a specific form of identity misuse. This often involves the submission of a phone number during account creation on various platforms, ranging from social media websites to retail loyalty programs, without the legitimate owner’s consent or knowledge. For example, an individual might discover they are receiving unsolicited text messages or emails from a service they never subscribed to, indicating their phone number was used without authorization.
This type of activity carries potential implications that extend beyond mere inconvenience. The unauthorized association of a phone number with various online accounts can lead to privacy breaches, an increased risk of phishing attempts targeted at the phone number’s owner, and potential financial ramifications if the associated accounts involve payment information. Historically, the relative ease with which phone numbers can be acquired and used online has made it a recurring vulnerability exploited by malicious actors.
