Your phone number can be used by hackers and scammers to unlock your personal data. With just your phone number, they can find out current and previous addresses, your birthdate, and personal financial information. They can steal your identity and take over online accounts. With texting scams they can infect your phone with malware or pretend to be your bank, the IRS or your doctor to trick you into revealing your credit card number or social security. Be cautious when answering calls or clicking links in texts from unknown numbers.