The truth is, I have been a victim too. Changing your phone number may seem like a simple task, but it comes with significant risks if not handled properly. Over the years, in Sierra Leone and beyond, I have encountered numerous clients and friends who have lost access to their email accounts, social media profiles, and even financial accounts. This often happens because they discard their old SIM cards without updating their online platforms to reflect their new numbers. Below are three crucial steps to take before changing your phone number.
Sadly, it’s not just people who change their SIM cards that fall victim to this; even those who relocate from one country to another often forget to update their phone numbers when moving, which can cause problems if they lose their phones or change devices and need to access their Gmail or social media accounts.
1. Check if Your Phone Number is Used for Gmail Account Verification
Many people use their phone numbers as part of the two-factor authentication (2FA) process for their Gmail accounts. This feature provides an extra layer of security by sending a verification code to your number whenever you try to log in or reset your password.
Failing to update your Gmail account with your new number can have disastrous consequences. If you lose access to your email account, you might also lose access to other services linked to that email, such as cloud storage, subscriptions, and professional correspondence. Worse, someone else who gets your old number may receive verification codes for your account, putting your data and privacy at risk.
Solution: Before changing your number, log in to your Gmail account and update the phone number under the “Security” section. Ensure you verify the new number before discarding the old SIM.
2. Update Your Phone Number on Social Media Platforms
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp often use phone numbers as a backup security option. If you forget your password, they send a recovery code to the registered number. Unfortunately, if you no longer have access to that number, recovering your account can become a nightmare.
I’ve seen individuals lose years of memories, professional pages, and business contacts because they changed their numbers without updating their accounts. In some cases, accounts are hacked, and the owners are unable to regain control because their recovery number is outdated.
Solution: Go to the settings section of each of your social media accounts and update your phone number. Platforms like Facebook also allow you to add multiple numbers as backups. Once the update is complete, test the recovery process to ensure everything works.
3. Ensure Your Phone Number is Updated on Your Bank Account
In today’s digital age, banks rely heavily on mobile numbers for authentication and security. Notifications about transactions, OTPs (One-Time Passwords) for online banking, and account recovery options are often tied to your phone number.
If your bank account is linked to a number you no longer use, you risk missing critical updates about your finances. Even worse, an unauthorized individual who acquires your old number could potentially intercept OTPs and compromise your account.
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About the Author
Sallu Kamuskay is a Sierra Leonean Freelance Journalist, Communication Strategist, Fixer, Blogger, Youth Organiser, Event Manager, Spokesperson, Public Relations Expert and founder of Salone Messenger. Sallu Kamuskay’s work has been regularly referenced and published by national and international media and public policy institutions including Equal Times, MDPI, AYV News, Concord Times, Independent Observer, The Calabash Newspaper, The Organizer.net, Global Times, SwitSalone, Sierra Loaded, Al-Jazeera, Isssuu, The Sierra Leone Telegraph, National Institute of Health, Research Gate among others.
Sallu’s movement has connections with Media Experts, Media Organizations, Companies, Web Developers and Professionals across the world. Sallu Kamuskay’s movement primarily involves in negotiating deals and managing social media for Professionals, Influencers, Politicians, Media Houses, Organizations and Companies. He focuses on protecting, promoting, and defending them in the face of cyber-bullying.