Prepaid Cellphones for Privacy

Though address privacy is far and away the most important step to personal privacy, phone privacy is also high on the list. To handle this issue, we must analyze our phone needs.You've probably noticed that many businesses that have no need for your phone number ask for it anyway. The reason is that many businesses use your phone number to data mine information about you. The phone number has become the source of customer information. It’s a bonanza for marketers, or anyone else who has it.Unless, there is some legitimate reason for that business to call you, give them a fake phone number. Don’t make up one though; it might belong to somebody. Give them the number of your local police, county prosecutor, or attorney general’s office. Input useless data into the system. The more people who monkeywrench the system, the more likely the system is to break down. A point will be reached when the amount of useless data in the database renders the entire database worthless. When that point is reached, businesses may give up the practice of using phone numbers to data mine customer information.Of course this number can also be given to individuals. Next, you need a number to give to people who are not in your “circle of trust,” but who might possibly someday have a legitimate reason to call you. Some examples of this category might include government offices, banks, insurance companies, employers, cleaners (depending on how forgetful you are), work colleagues, acquaintances, etc. You’ll have to make your own list as to whom to include, but I recommend using an anonymous prepaid cell phone for this category.Tracfone, Virgin Mobile, and Net10 offer the kind of service needed. There may be others, and providers come and go. I recommend buying the cheapest phone. Currently, expect to pay about $30. Pay cash for the phone and for as many minutes as you can buy, or as many as you think you might use in the next 3-12 months. When you activate the phone, use false info or no info. If activating online, try just skipping past the personal info screen to the next step.I recommend buying the cheapest phone and the most minutes since you must sell, give away, or throw away that phone when the minutes expire. Why periodically get rid of your prepaid cell phone? Information eventually works it way into databases. Sooner or later, your number may become available to someone you haven’t given it to, and, if you have used it for an “official” number, your name may be attached to it. If you lead a complex, secretive life, categorize your phone calling and buy a different model phone and the maximum minutes for each category. Always use the same phone for each category. Then follow the same procedure. Get rid of the phone for each category when the minutes expire and buy a new one.After you get rid of your phone and activate a new one, you can update whomever you choose. Government offices will especially appreciate your notifying them of your new number beccause it proves to them that you are a good, compliant citizen, which warms the cockles of their bureaurat hearts.

Comments? Questions? Email Here

© HowtoAdvice.com

How to Advice .com