Bus Nut
01-04-10, 11:51
1) Always have a second phone.
2) Do not use a second line on your primary account for this purpose.
3) Do not sign up with the same or a different cell company for a line with a contract.
4) Never purchase your phone or minute cards at a location you stop in with your significant other. It's happened to a friend who could not explain why the clerk asked him if he needed minutes for his prepaid phone!
5) ALWAYS PAY CASH FOR THE PHONE AND THE MINUTE CARDS! No need to leave your credit or debit card on the store's computer.
Although you can get a phone for FREE from the carriers, who wants to be locked into a minimum of $30.00 a month? And with a bill that has to go somewhere and with your call data on it for prying eyes? Not to mention your name and other information. Significant others. friends, enemies...no, you don't need a paper trail, and if it gets lost or stolen, it's no fun.
Instead, get a prepaid phone. Try a 7-11 or a Circle K first. Also some liquor stores. Some of them have phones you can buy over the counter that are already activated and have a number assigned. This is an optimum situation.
If you can't find one at a convenience store then head for WalMart or Target or whatever store you prefer. I prefer WalMart and out of the area I usually shop in. Pay cash for the phone and go from there.
As of the last time I checked, Net 10 and Tracfone could easily be set up using an automated system from another phone. Pay phones are getting harder to find, but not impossible, hotels have lobby courtesy phones as well in many cases that allow you to call the toll free number to set one up.
YOU WILL NEED IN ALL CASES: the ESN (Electronic Serial Number) for the phone. Read the directions that come with the phone about how to set it up.
Boost Mobile and Virgin can be set up on the web, and there are many places that have free public access to the internet and even free terminals. Or you can pay for 15 minutes in a cafe or whatever. YOU WILL NEED TO CREATE AN EMAIL ADDRESS since the system needs to send you the programming detail, you can use yahoo, Gmail or many others. Yes it wants a nme and such, but just BS the system or pick some schmoes name out of phone book and enter it in. Use this new, not linked to you address for whatever you wish. If it gets too heavy, just walk away from it.
6) ALWAYS have minutes on the phone so you can contact your favorite providers and they can contact you.
7) All phones can be traced when on and in use. Keep your calls short and turn off the phone when not in use. Only the Federal Government has the time and resources to track the phone in real time, and unless you are wanted for some major crime I don't think the local yokels are going to bother setting up with the carrier to bother with you.
8) Keep your eyes open for good prices on prepaid cell phones. I always have a couple in the trunk of the car, already activated. I prefer Virgin or Boost (the cost to keep them active is $20 every three months) and if I meet a provider without a phone, then I can offer her one. Free. She can show her appreciation to you in a lot of ways. I have gotten significant upgrades and even services just for the phone itself.
9) Finally, NEVER let a provider use your phone. Most likely she is calling someone you would rather not be linked up with. You don't need her using her phone to make arrangements for a butter/candy purchase!
Happy and SAfe Mongering!
Bus Nut
2) Do not use a second line on your primary account for this purpose.
3) Do not sign up with the same or a different cell company for a line with a contract.
4) Never purchase your phone or minute cards at a location you stop in with your significant other. It's happened to a friend who could not explain why the clerk asked him if he needed minutes for his prepaid phone!
5) ALWAYS PAY CASH FOR THE PHONE AND THE MINUTE CARDS! No need to leave your credit or debit card on the store's computer.
Although you can get a phone for FREE from the carriers, who wants to be locked into a minimum of $30.00 a month? And with a bill that has to go somewhere and with your call data on it for prying eyes? Not to mention your name and other information. Significant others. friends, enemies...no, you don't need a paper trail, and if it gets lost or stolen, it's no fun.
Instead, get a prepaid phone. Try a 7-11 or a Circle K first. Also some liquor stores. Some of them have phones you can buy over the counter that are already activated and have a number assigned. This is an optimum situation.
If you can't find one at a convenience store then head for WalMart or Target or whatever store you prefer. I prefer WalMart and out of the area I usually shop in. Pay cash for the phone and go from there.
As of the last time I checked, Net 10 and Tracfone could easily be set up using an automated system from another phone. Pay phones are getting harder to find, but not impossible, hotels have lobby courtesy phones as well in many cases that allow you to call the toll free number to set one up.
YOU WILL NEED IN ALL CASES: the ESN (Electronic Serial Number) for the phone. Read the directions that come with the phone about how to set it up.
Boost Mobile and Virgin can be set up on the web, and there are many places that have free public access to the internet and even free terminals. Or you can pay for 15 minutes in a cafe or whatever. YOU WILL NEED TO CREATE AN EMAIL ADDRESS since the system needs to send you the programming detail, you can use yahoo, Gmail or many others. Yes it wants a nme and such, but just BS the system or pick some schmoes name out of phone book and enter it in. Use this new, not linked to you address for whatever you wish. If it gets too heavy, just walk away from it.
6) ALWAYS have minutes on the phone so you can contact your favorite providers and they can contact you.
7) All phones can be traced when on and in use. Keep your calls short and turn off the phone when not in use. Only the Federal Government has the time and resources to track the phone in real time, and unless you are wanted for some major crime I don't think the local yokels are going to bother setting up with the carrier to bother with you.
8) Keep your eyes open for good prices on prepaid cell phones. I always have a couple in the trunk of the car, already activated. I prefer Virgin or Boost (the cost to keep them active is $20 every three months) and if I meet a provider without a phone, then I can offer her one. Free. She can show her appreciation to you in a lot of ways. I have gotten significant upgrades and even services just for the phone itself.
9) Finally, NEVER let a provider use your phone. Most likely she is calling someone you would rather not be linked up with. You don't need her using her phone to make arrangements for a butter/candy purchase!
Happy and SAfe Mongering!
Bus Nut