The expert said that scammers can find out by phone number

MOSCOW, 24 Sep — PRIME. In Russia, you can almost everywhere face the leakage of personal data, whether it be photos, phone number or address, although there is a law that prohibits the open use of such information about citizens. At the same time, having your phone number gives an attacker a chance to learn a lot about you, Denis Kuskov, CEO of the Telecom Daily agency, told Prime.

“Unfortunately, despite the law on the protection of personal data in Russia, such information is treated very coolly and this data is not found anywhere,” the source said.

The phone number itself, as a set of numbers, does not mean anything to an ordinary person, the expert noted. But if these figures are enriched with other data, and now you can buy a database of passport offices, credit histories or mobile operators, and even the traffic police, as well as delve into social networks, then it is quite possible to compile a real portfolio of a person. It will contain the full name, approximate or exact place of residence, family composition and names of loved ones, as well as income level. This set of data can be used by attackers for their illegal purposes.

It is quite difficult to protect yourself, because according to the law you are obliged to automatically give your data when issuing a passport, a loan, and so on. They can become the prey of scammers, who often work even in collusion with official structures.

Therefore, it is important to adhere to the rules of digital security ourselves. Do not distribute your personal data right and left. For example, when issuing discount cards and so on, in this case there is no such obligation. And you should definitely refrain from posts on social networks, according to which it would be possible to calculate where you live, work and where you are going to rest this coming weekend, the expert concluded.