Are you registered on any sites?
[QUOTE=AceHole247;3126884]I have a question about unsolicited texts / calls. Last week I got a text / call from a provider I've never seen or even called. How do they get my number when I clearly never called them? Setup?? Sting?? WTF? I'm wondering, do these girls trade / give numbers. If not. Shit!! Anyone get these calls? All I can think of now is Setup! At # I made appt with her and got coldfeet when I got to hotel and bailed. Now I'm too nervous to contact any. Damn damn damn.[/QUOTE]With that number? I know I put up an account on city vibe w / a google talk number / txt and would periodically get txts no vm's w / messages txtg very generic messages like "hey baby I'm in town waiting 4 you" and robo type s**t. Now the girls may have been real providers as well as had accounts on that website mentioned, however would never directly address me by my "real" name in txt. Again I would think back and remember if you registered anywhere w / that number. Trading numbers w / other providers? Imo very unlikely. They are all too greedy to share (well in most cases imo). Robo numbering at random? I don't think so. It would be my opinion that somewhere at sometime you put your number up to register for an account. Again my experience has been city vibe does that.
Monger on the cheap: phones
Unless I win the state lottery (maybe I'd have a better chance if I actually bought a ticket. LOL), it's mongering on the cheap for me. Being paranoid always helps too. Never give out real info not use my actual phone. Cheap burner flip from Wally World for $15-20 (and card $15 for 30 min & a months time limit. Might be better more sneakier ways, but I don't want to over think it. Getting all complicated is where I trip up. Also, watch those "too-smart-for-their-own-good" phones, there's apps out there that allow others, like family members, to track your where abouts. Like findfriends app, have to give permission on your own phone first, but still. LOL.
This is Rule #1 for hobbyists
[QUOTE=CouchCouscous;3128350]Unless I win the state lottery (maybe I'd have a better chance if I actually bought a ticket. LOL), it's mongering on the cheap for me. Being paranoid always helps too. Never give out real info not use my actual phone. Cheap burner flip from Wally World for $15-20 (and card $15 for 30 min & a months time limit. Might be better more sneakier ways, but I don't want to over think it. Getting all complicated is where I trip up. Also, watch those "too-smart-for-their-own-good" phones, there's apps out there that allow others, like family members, to track your where abouts. Like findfriends app, have to give permission on your own phone first, but still. LOL.[/QUOTE]To elaborate, not only use a burner, but:
* Pay cash for the phone and refills.
* Don't register it online.
* Don't get a smartphone, just a cheap flip-phone.
* Keep all contacts and messages on the SIM card.
* Take out the SIM when not hobbying and keep it separate from the phone.