Pros and Cons of Changing Phone Number: Is It Worth It?

Are you tired of getting unwanted calls? Or thinking of starting over with a clean slate? 

Changing your phone number can be a quick solution to such issues. But before making that decision, you need to know the pros and cons of changing phone number.

Whether you are facing harassment, trying to separate your professional and personal life, or simply seeking to take control of your communications, this blog covers everything you need to know. 

Why Do People Change Their Phone Numbers?

There are many reasons to change your phone number, and it can be a big decision. Some people ask, “Should I get a new phone number?” when dealing with persistent spam, while others change it for security after a data breach.  

Here are some key factors that lead people to change their phone numbers:

1. To Reclaim Privacy

For many people, their phone number is a gateway to personal information. Most of them change their phone numbers when they are exploited through data breaches or unwanted solicitations. Change your number to protect your privacy. 

2. Avoiding Unwanted Communication

Spam calls, telemarketing, and harassment are increasing daily, so many people are switching their phone numbers to avoid such disturbances. Changing your phone number can help stop them. It offers a fresh start when other filters aren’t enough.

3. Personal Life Changes

If you have gone through a breakup, divorce, or betrayal, you may want a fresh start. A new number helps you disconnect from the past and set new boundaries. 

4. Business Needs

Most businesses change their numbers to rebrand, relocate, or optimize customer service. For better efficiency and customer engagement, businesses use toll-free or virtual numbers. 

5. To Stop a Number from Being Overused

People are changing their phone numbers because their current numbers are used too widely or are outdated. If it’s the same for you, change your phone number to reduce unnecessary contact and make communication more manageable. 

Now that we know why people change their numbers, let’s look at the pros and cons of doing so: 

Pros of Changing Your Phone Number

Changing your phone number has a lot of advantages. Following are the major reasons for which one should change their phone number: 

I. Enhanced Privacy and Security

The one and foremost pros of changing a phone number are privacy protection and security. It allows you to start over, helps you avoid spam calls, stops harassment, and protects you from potential fraud. 

II. Opportunity for a Fresh Start

Changing your phone number offers a clean slate if you want to start a new journey away from past traumas. Keep your new number completely private and only share it with the people you trust. 

III. Customizing Business Numbers for Efficiency

Changing a phone number allows businesses to have greater control over their communication. They could switch to virtual numbers or customized options to streamline communication. 

IV. Divide Professional and Personal Life

The major pros of changing your number are the ability to separate your work and personal life. It maintains boundaries and you can focus on personal well-being. If you’re running a business, it will keep a professional image. 

Cons of Changing Your Phone Number

1. Connectivity Disturbance

Changing your phone number can make it difficult to stay connected with important people. You’ll need to inform all your contacts about your new number, which can be time-consuming. There’s also a chance that some people will miss the update.

For example, if a friend or your office is calling about an urgent update, they won’t be able to reach you unless they know your new number. 

2. Update Across Many Platforms

Changing your number means you’ll need to update it everywhere, like online accounts or social media IDs.  It takes time and can be frustrating. Not only does updating your number take time, but it also means there’s a risk of losing touch with people who don’t update their records. 

For example, you can be locked out of your email or social media if you don’t update it for two-factor authentication

3. Possible Contact Loss

It’s not always possible to inform everyone about your new number. Even after telling everyone you can, there’s always a chance that some people will not update their records. And over time, you may lose touch with them. 

For example, a friend or a customer may only have your old number. They can’t contact you anymore unless they have your new contact information. 

4. Loss of Important Messages

When people send a text to your old number after you’ve changed it, you won’t receive those messages anymore. 

In business, timing is everything. If customers or clients send messages to your old number, you won’t receive them. Losing access to these messages could hurt customer relationships, as clients might think you’re ignoring them or are no longer available. 

For example, if customers or clients send messages to your old number, you won’t receive them, which could hurt your business relationships.

Factors to Consider Before Changing Your Phone Number

Now that we have discussed the pros and cons of changing phone numbers, it’s important to evaluate the reasons behind it. If you want to make the change, then consider how it could impact your personal and business life. 

Key factors to think about: 

I. Evaluate the Need

Before you change your phone number, ask yourself, “Should I change my phone number?” Are you getting too many spam calls or messages that you can’t block?  Or do you want to separate your personal and work life?  If you’re facing harassment or spam, a number change might help.

But, if it’s just a few annoying calls, you can solve the problem with a call blocker or by screening your calls. 

Is your business expanding and requires a more professional system? If so, changing the phone number can improve customer communication.

Example: If you are experiencing too many spam calls or your business is demanding a more professional number, changing it might be the best solution. But, if it is just a few calls, then you can install a call-blocking application or set filters to get rid of them.

II. Consider Your Service Provider

Considering your service provider is also equally important when changing phone numbers. Before you make the decision, it is better to see which service provider works the best for you, what the provider offers, and understand the terms. 

If your business is growing, select a provider that offers services that will match your needs, such as better customer service features or more enhanced security options. 

For example, some phone number providers allow an online change of number, and others may require calling into customer service or visiting the store in person. Choose the method that’s most convenient for your business.

III. Accounts and Passwords

Many websites, like your email or social media accounts, use your phone number to verify your identity. It’s really important to go through your online accounts and update your phone number wherever it’s needed. If you don’t update your number on these accounts, you might get locked out or miss important security messages. 

To businesses, phone numbers are usually connected with customer service, payment systems, and communication. Update your business accounts to maintain access and avoid disruptions.

For example, after changing your number, update it across all platforms where you used that old number before. 

IV. Instant Setup

When you change your phone number, it’s important to set everything up right away. You don’t want to wait too long to update your contacts and accounts, or you might miss important calls or messages. Make sure the process of changing your number is quick and easy. 

If you run a business, make sure your clients or customers know about the change, too. A fast and smooth transition will help keep your communication running smoothly without losing any important customer contacts. 

Websites, email signatures, business cards-all things related to one’s business have to be remade on time.

For example, if you change your business number, you need to update it on your website, in your email signature, and on your business cards so that you do not miss important inquiries from clients.

Alternative to Changing Your Phone Number: Secondary Number

Instead of changing your number, a secondary number could be a real catch for those who are tired of unwanted calls and harassment or just want to keep their personal and work lives apart. You can continue using your old number and get another number to share for business calls or to sign up on websites. It will keep your primary number safe and private while managing other communications with much more ease without necessarily having to change your full phone number.

A secondary number keeps your privacy by keeping your main number away from spam calls or unwanted contact. You can use a secondary number when signing up for services or entering giveaways online. If one number starts to receive too many calls, you simply need to stop using it with no need to change your number across all platforms or to inform literally everyone you know, which in that respect makes it an easier, less disruptive solution than a full phone number change.
Getting a secondary number is easy and pretty cheap. 

How to Get a Secondary Phone Number?

• Use Your Current Carrier’s Service: Most phone carriers offer services that provide an additional line or secondary number. Check with your service provider; this is mostly available at a small extra charge.
• Virtual Number Apps: It is an application such as Google Voice, Burner, or Dialaxy that gives secondary numbers to call and text. They work quite easily on your main smartphone.
• VoIP Services: VoIP services, such as Skype and WhatsApp, provide secondary numbers that work over the Internet. It lets you make calls and texts without giving out your regular number.

How to Use a Secondary Phone Number Effectively

• Business Purposes: The second number can be used to serve business calls, provide customer care, and maintain a professional outlook.
• For Online Services: Use a secondary number to sign up to a website or shop, so your secondary number will protect you from spam and unwanted marketing messages.
• For Temporary Use: You may require a number for a short time, like when you are traveling. You can stop using these temporary numbers can be stopped once it is no longer needed. 

Conclusion: Is Changing your Phone Number Worth It?

Changing phone numbers can benefit people who want to avoid being called by spam numbers or who want to separate work and personal life. However, potential risks like connection cancellation, the requirement to introduce platforms, and the loss of contacts or messages must be considered.

Think hard before you decide to change your phone number. If you receive constant and severe harassment, then probably the best option is to change the number. But if you’re only receiving a few nuisance calls, consider other options, such as blocking options or a spam number, which offers anonymity and convenience without cutting off your valuable relationships. 

FAQs:

What should I consider when changing my phone number?

Changing your phone number can affect your personal and professional life. It may disrupt your communication. 

Should I change my phone number after a breakup?

Changing your phone number after a breakup totally depends on you. It is an assured, fresh start that will increase your privacy and reduce the cases of unwanted contact.

What happens to your old number when you change it?

When you change your number, your old number is deactivated by your carrier and may be reassigned to someone else. You may lose access to calls or messages unless you set up call forwarding beforehand. 

Can someone steal your identity with your phone number?

Yes, your phone number can be used for identity theft, especially if it’s linked to online accounts. So always protect your phone number using two-factor authentication (2FA). 

What are the benefits of changing cell phone numbers?

Changing your phone number gives you back control over your communications and is a new beginning toward better privacy. 

Can you change your phone number?

Yes, most of the service providers allow you to change the phone number either online or in person, but fees and requirements might pop up. 

Is it worth changing my number due to spam calls?

Yes, if you are getting an overwhelming number of spam calls, then you should change your number to keep yourself away from those scam calls. It offers a clean slate and stops spam. 

What happens if someone texts your old number after you change it? 

If someone texts your old number, they will not reach you, as the number will be deactivated.