Using a burner for mongering
I haven't had any issues with Virgin. Buy the cheapest one available (cash), activate online with faux info (preferablly from a public internet hot spot), load $30 to $50 on it and destroy it once the time is used up. Having an anonymous phone only works if you remain anonymous, so don't do anything that makes it easy to tie back to you. See Seasons Two and Three of the HBO series "The Wire" to see how it needs to be done.
Burners and monger part deux
Depends on my usage of it, who I have called, how often, if there have been stings and other Uncle LEO activites that might compromise the phone number, etc.
Bear in mind I am prone to many activities that those in authority like to dismiss as criminal, and openly profess to be an enemy of the state. Consequently, I dispose of burners in short order. Like the fine ladies we all know and love, YMMV when it comes to disposable phones.
[QUOTE=Florida3283]All good points, I might also add to buy the card to load minutes paying for it with cash. I even thought about wearing sun glasses and a cap when buying it but thought that might be a little too paranoid, LOL.
How often do you get rid of the old phone and buy a new one? I do that about every 6 months.[/QUOTE]