How did a scammer get my iphone number??

[ailsagirl]

I received a text message today (supposedly from USPS) saying a book I ordered is being held due to a faulty
address and would I please go to (link) to remedy the problem.

It was a scram, for sure-- but I couldn't help wondering how those people got my iphone number
and
Is my iphone in danger of being hacked?

If so, is there a program that could go through and delete any nefarious items?

Thank you

[CurtEastPoint]

1. there are apps that just dial numbers at random or in sequence and they get hits, like they did with you

but talk to Apple and see what they say

[ailsagirl]

4. Thank you

[LeftInTX]

2. Scammers/spammers randomly input various number combinations.

You likely were not specifically targeted. As long as you didn't go to the link and provide them info, there is no harm. Just block the number if you can.

[ailsagirl]

3. Thank you

[MOMFUDSKI]

5. Same way they got my bank info and my

credit card number and my husband’s SS number and my driver’s license number.

[ailsagirl]

7. That's frightening

I hope things turned out OK

[MOMFUDSKI]

9. Never lost a penny. But a lot of phone calls

and closing accounts. I have a permanent notification on my drivers license that tells the cop that there are two licenses like mine! Was told to carry several forms of identification so as not to end up in the backseat of a cop car. Fun

[ailsagirl]

11. Glad to hear you didn't lose anything!!

But what a hassle!!

[kimbutgar]

6. The dark web steals phone lists and sells them.

I have received notices from AT&T that my number was stolen from hackers.

[ailsagirl]

8. I suppose I'm pretty naive

I'm sure there are lists of people's private info all over (Dark Web?) for a price.

[usonian]

10. Several major sites have been hacked

Too many to list.

One may have had your phone number in its stolen data. I recall various breaches at ATT and Verizon.

Many companies use your email address or phone number as logins. As a techie, I can’t begin to tell you how dumb as a brick this is.

And as others have noted, some spray-dial or email.

Worse, some companies you deal with sell your data to data aggregators.

Just don’t open anything you don’t recognize, and/or mark it as spam or junk and delete.