Mobile phone users in the UK could face the risk of being hacked, receiving nuisance calls, or having their phone disconnected due to a little-known rule surrounding the recycling of old phone numbers, warned consumer group Which?. The issue arises from the practice of telecoms firms recycling old numbers to meet customer demand despite the limited pool of 11-digit combinations available. Which? conducted a survey of over 15,000 members, revealing that 11% had changed their mobile number in the past decade, with only half updating their number across all relevant organisations and online accounts, and 10% failing to update it anywhere.
The consumer group expressed concerns that recycled phone numbers could jeopardise online identities and accounts, as sensitive information is often transmitted by text or used for authentication. The study also found that 7% of respondents had encountered issues due to the deactivation or reassignment of a phone number, such as receiving calls and messages meant for the previous owner. Instances of individuals being harassed by debt collectors or misguided contacts looking to purchase drugs were also reported.
Lisa Barber, Which? tech editor, stressed the significance of the problem, highlighting the potential risks faced by both the previous and current owners of recycled numbers. Which? called on Ofcom to enhance communication practices among providers to alert consumers of the risks of number deactivation and to address the challenges posed by recycled numbers in order to safeguard consumers.
The organisation’s research underscores the urgency for clarity and action to mitigate the vulnerabilities associated with recycled phone numbers. The potential for security breaches and other negative repercussions underlines the pressing need for effective solutions and industry regulations to address this growing issue.