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Look Up Unknown Phone Numbers Using Facebook Reset Password

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Re: Look Up Unknown Phone Numbers Using Facebook Reset Password

#121

Post by thesuitonym »

Hamuko wrote: post #63
kristopolous wrote: post #59

Y'all know we used to publish everybody's phone number in a book along with their address and then distribute copies to every household, right? We did it for many decades and it was fine. Every pay phone, which was a phone anyone with a couple coins could make anonymous calls from, had this giant book right there for your reference. Everyone knows this, right? If you didn't know someone's number you could look it up…

> Y'all know we used to publish everybody's phone number in a book along with their address and then distribute copies to every household, right? And we didn't use to tie second-factor authentication into SMS messages to your phone number.

You're not supposed to do that today, either.

Re: Look Up Unknown Phone Numbers Using Facebook Reset Password

#122

Post by Magicstatic »

Is this a security problem? Depends on who you ask - but I'm willing to bet it would fall into the "accepted risk" category for the Facebook security team if they had to evaluate this.

The reality is that phone number lookup services are available all over the web which provide even more information (first+last name, address, zip code, social media profile links, etc etc etc) for free (https://www.bestfreephonelookup.com/phone-number/ as an example) - these services get their info from data aggregators and usually - your carrier! I don't see how Facebook exposing (in _limited_, very specific circumstances) the first name of a persons phone number being a security issue.

All the people in this thread screaming GDPR violation don't understand that if someone decides to stop using Facebook and delete their account, this method to lookup someone will not work. Sidenote: If you're really paranoid about having your phone number expose your real name when you're using any type of service online, just sign up for a Google Voice (voice.google.com) account and link it to your cell phone - I use this whenever I sign up for anything online and it saves me a ton of spam and scam calls.

EDIT: Facebook removed the ability to use the in-app search box in Facebook to find people based on just a phone number, this has been removed for at least 2 years.

Re: Look Up Unknown Phone Numbers Using Facebook Reset Password

#123

Post by colejohnson66 »

c22 wrote: post #102
cfjgvjh wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It might depend on your IP and other factors. I tried to make a new one about a year ago and could not do it without phone verification. Maybe they'll let you sign up without a phone number via Tor or something though. It's not just Facebook that requires a phone verification now, I can't even make a Google or Yahoo Japan account without it. At least on these services you can "reuse" previously used numbers by unlink…

I have an old Facebook account without a phone number linked to it. Every time I log on they badger me to link a phone number. Recently the field is pre-filled with a phone number I use that I never explicitly gave them... If it is possible to make a new account without a number I am assuming it is not made easy.

Is that “pre filled” number your browser’s auto fill by chance?

Re: Look Up Unknown Phone Numbers Using Facebook Reset Password

#124

Post by colejohnson66 »

kevin_thibedeau wrote: post #75
kristopolous wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's only because calling is the new fax. Would you ignore an SMS from an unknown number? Let's say the content was "Hey, how've you been? It's been a while!"

Yes they get ignored because that's the entry point for scammers building lists of active numbers. Same as one should mute but not disconnect spam voice calls as that gives them info about your presence.

I’ve heard this “active number” and “active email” thing for a while, but isn’t the fact that the message wasn’t “returned” undeliverable a sign already? If I send an email to a GMail account that doesn’t exist, Google will reply that the account doesn’t exist. It’s the same with calling (every carrier) and texting (at least with AT&T; I just tested it)

Re: Look Up Unknown Phone Numbers Using Facebook Reset Password

#125

Post by vmception »

actuator wrote: post #55
philposting wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can install WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business, with a number on each. WhatsApp business has some extra functions for businesses, but is otherwise the same.

It does show you are texting with a business account which might just seem weird to the other person. If they didn't find not having IG shady before, I am sure they will now.

You’re overthinking this.

I’m aware of people that immediately ask for social media, and rationalize it with trying to disprove infidelity or an assurance they wont get murdered, I can tell you that most people I’ve dated over the past two years did not ask for that. At this point I think there is a level of maturity involved in not asking questions you don't really want the answer to, as they too would prefer not to lead with their social media.

Its pretty much the same as introducing a date to your friends. You don't typically lead with that. YMMV.

Re: Look Up Unknown Phone Numbers Using Facebook Reset Password

#127

Post by goatcode »

kristopolous wrote: post #59

Y'all know we used to publish everybody's phone number in a book along with their address and then distribute copies to every household, right? We did it for many decades and it was fine. Every pay phone, which was a phone anyone with a couple coins could make anonymous calls from, had this giant book right there for your reference. Everyone knows this, right? If you didn't know someone's number you could look it up…

Did you have one of those books that was organized by number, instead of name? I didn't.

Re: Look Up Unknown Phone Numbers Using Facebook Reset Password

#128

Post by lolsal »

jsnell wrote: post #11

Before gathering up the mob and handing out the torches and pitchforks, you should probably establish what the facts actually are. I don't think the author of this post has really done that. The way these systems should work, and appear to work in Facebook's case, is that the amount of information revealed depends on risk analysis. For example, I just tried recovery from an IP I've used Facebook from, and from a fres…

> (Though honestly, if you show just one letter even for non-risky recovery attempts, why bother? It can't possibly be of any significant help to the users.)

Why? I use multiple email addresses and on these occasions seeing that single letter (at beginning or end) helps me know which account to check for recovery steps. This is significant to me.

Re: Look Up Unknown Phone Numbers Using Facebook Reset Password

#129

Post by lolsal »

kristopolous wrote: post #59

Y'all know we used to publish everybody's phone number in a book along with their address and then distribute copies to every household, right? We did it for many decades and it was fine. Every pay phone, which was a phone anyone with a couple coins could make anonymous calls from, had this giant book right there for your reference. Everyone knows this, right? If you didn't know someone's number you could look it up…

Ok, but you could opt out of the phone book. You know about unlisted numbers, right?

Re: Look Up Unknown Phone Numbers Using Facebook Reset Password

#130

Post by type0 »

colejohnson66 wrote: post #123
c22 wrote: post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have an old Facebook account without a phone number linked to it. Every time I log on they badger me to link a phone number. Recently the field is pre-filled with a phone number I use that I never explicitly gave them... If it is possible to make a new account without a number I am assuming it is not made easy.

Is that “pre filled” number your browser’s auto fill by chance?

I would be very surprised if it weren't browser prefilled. Although scummy things like that are not unusual when it comes to facebook, maybe they took it from instagram or whatsapp.
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