Anybody using a burner phone...any suggestions on which might be the best to get...

[jamesH55]

I've had T-mobile and switched to Tracfone for about 8yrs now,started with the 1yr plan and now pay 19.95 every 3mos.,they use different major carriers depending on the location. reception can be bad at times and the flip phone isn't good at receiving picture descriptions as the screen is small.

 

[FCX23]

Thxs for all the great info...i'm leaning T-mobile plan also looking at the Trac phone plan ...

 

[Anonajohn]

I've had T-mobile and switched to Tracfone for about 8yrs now,started with the 1yr plan and now pay 19.95 every 3mos.,they use different major carriers depending on the location. reception can be bad at times and the flip phone isn't good at receiving picture descriptions as the screen is small.

TracFone has Google smart phones available now

 

[Resoroam]

Looking to get a burner just to keep it private....

Google voice, WeChat.
Personally I have a whole other phone under a fake name, then I use google voice for that phone.
I am dumb and I gave my real number to some of the girls.

 

[Anonajohn]

I am dumb and I gave my real number to some of the girls.

Ugh. hate that. I had to do it on one occasion. TracFone doesn't have international calling, rather I don't have it with the plan, and I couldn't communicate with a phone number from Japan. Waste of time anyway. She went back to Japan and doesn't keep in touch at all

 

[Happy_Ed]

I was very meticulous (maybe too much) in purchasing a burner phone for the hobby. As others have stated that a google voice or other extra numbers through apps on your public facing phone may be easily discovered for anyone who wants to look (SO especially)

1. Probably super obvious... pay everything with cash or visa gift cards purchased with cash: phone and plan cards. No paper trail. Also wear a face mask, hat and baggy clothing when purchasing items (I'm very paranoid)
2. Because of my cash/vgc rule, I went with tracfone as you can still purchase the phone and cards seperately with cash.
3. Get a cheap burner smart phone. Why? Some PO send stuff that requires internet access and flip phones are a pain-in-the-ass to use in a pinch. A smart phone can also be used to set up a burner email and conduct hobby research.
4. Doing everything with cash adds extra hurdles moving forward, don't forget to keep the phone active. I've had to rescreen once when I forgot to reup the phone plan and had to get a new number.
5. Burner phones are most likely android, so don't use a gmail account with your phone (they track everything). It's not required.
6. Again probably super obvious, don't text or call your burner phone with your public one

Some fine folks have already said, but turn off the phone before returning home. In fact don't use it there at all! Despite all these conditions I'm well aware that no privacy or security measures are perfect, but I feel comfortable with the level that I achieved with this method.

GREAT ADVICE.

 

[dimw77]

The other big vulnerability is sending/receiving text messages. Your messages will usually be completely unencrypted SMS text messages, unless both parties are using an iPhone/iOS device.
Any SO or PI can look up the phone numbers for K-orgs, determine the mobile carrier for each phone #, and purchase the call metadata & unencrypted text messages to/from each org.
You don't want to be on that list.

 

[Fibergod]

I understand the need for concealing the hobby from your significant other. Also the need to separate the hobby from your personal phone. But why the huge amount of effort to worry about the police issue? I mean in the rare case you get busted it will not be due to cell phone evidence. The most likely scenario is a bust while in the act. Even if that were to occur it’s a misdemeanor at best for being a “John”.

The exception here would be if you are an individual who assists in the shop day to day operation. Like a co-signer, PO, owner, or website management.

 

[dimw77]

If it's no big deal to you, then party on.

 

[dimw77]

TracFone has Google smart phones available now

IMO, the flip phones make better burners. No GPS, no browser, no cookies...

You have to remember that the smartphone is primarily a personal information harvesting device. Any benefits that you might glean from it are secondary.

IF the product or service is free, you're the product. The Android OS harvests thousands of types of data on you. Google's advertising revenue is about $150 Billion per year. Connect the dots...

Never allow you personal phone & burner to be ON together, anywhere.

 

[dimw77]

I understand the need for concealing the hobby from your significant other. Also the need to separate the hobby from your personal phone. But why the huge amount of effort to worry about the police issue? I mean in the rare case you get busted it will not be due to cell phone evidence. The most likely scenario is a bust while in the act. Even if that were to occur it’s a misdemeanor at best for being a “John”.

The exception here would be if you are an individual who assists in the shop day to day operation. Like a co-signer, PO, owner, or website management.

What are the consequences of your hobby becoming known? With SO? With work? Could you be compromised? Security clearance?