UK users' data at risk from Russian and Chinese disposable phone number services

A growing number of British consumers are turning to inexpensive disposable phone numbers to avoid sharing their personal mobile details when signing up for online services such as shopping sites, dating apps and loyalty programmes. The industry, estimated at roughly £2 bn a year, is dominated by providers operating out of Russia and China, who sell virtual numbers for as little as 3p per verification text or even free.

UK security officials warn that data transmitted through these foreign-run services can be seized by hostile states, giving Moscow and Beijing a tool for "grey-zone" attacks that could disrupt the digital economy. Research shows that seven of the twelve most used temporary-number sites are linked to Russia or China, and the numbers can be reassigned, allowing later users to reset passwords and access accounts. The practice is already being used to obtain NHS and government benefit verification codes, raising concerns about the safety of health and welfare services.

Law-enforcement cases in Latvia illustrate how such numbers facilitate large-scale fraud and the creation of fake online identities for criminal and influence operations. Experts stress that while the service is legal, its use poses significant cybersecurity and privacy risks for UK users.