Hobby phone question.

Brazos's Avatar
I see two options for a hobby phone.
1. Buy cheap, low cost plan phone.
2 Buy a Sim with new phone # and monthly plan.

I'd prefer #2. Sim is easy to hide. Has anyone done it? It's easy to physically switch out Sims but what about settings?
Thx in advance
If you're not wireless about someone going through your phone , a alternant email and number through Google Voice is a good option
Brazos's Avatar
I'm unable to get a new number via google voice. I've even used area codes of low population states and random, numbers - no luck as of yet.
plainjoe's Avatar
Recommend option #1 - buy a cheap pre-paid DUMB phone from Walmart, Target, etc. with cash. Less chances of having an electronic tail...if caught with the phone, you can always say that you found it somewhere; so scuff it up a bit.
You want to keep a separation between your real phone/information and your hobby life as much as possible. Having a separate hobby phone (and e-mail account; ask the guys that used their work or real e-mail addresses for Ashley Madison about the use of a hobby account) is a "must" have. You must have the sliver of plausible deniability as much as possible.
Good luck.
ck1942's Avatar
Thing about usual cell phones is the bill comes in the snail mail unless you opt for e-mail so it goes to your hidden email that mama never sees. Ditto your credit and debit cards and bank statements.

But, BofA just notified me that my new card is on the way to my street address. Not a biggie as I always clear the mail box cluster at home. So hiding the card's arrival works. Used to use a business post office box but I closed that back when.

And, if ATT or whatever carrier is sending you new equipment, you need a physical address most times.
YoHou's Avatar
  • YoHou
  • 10-26-2015, 06:30 PM
Just go to walmart and buy a $20 prepaid phone and it comes with it's own number. Use reloading cards to pay as you go.
Exotic Yazmin DDD's Avatar
Lots of paperless prepaid plans that use cards and require no personal info.
tia travels's Avatar
..if caught with the phone, you can always say that you found it somewhere; so scuff it up a bit. .... Originally Posted by plainjoe
Sounds like a good plan but what if she says:
"Then how did you find the number out to use it?" ...what would you say?
If you say, "I waited til someone called and then asked what number they were calling"....or "I just had it changed out at a store." then what would you say if she THEN says, "but why do you need another phone?"
chicagoboy's Avatar
Sounds like a good plan but what if she says:
"Then how did you find the number out to use it?" ...what would you say?
If you say, "I waited til someone called and then asked what number they were calling"....or "I just had it changed out at a store." then what would you say if she THEN says, "but why do you need another phone?" Originally Posted by tia travels
I've been hoping the person who lost it would thinck to call the number, so I could return the phone to him or her.
FrontRunner's Avatar
"Then how did you find the number out to use it?" ...what would you say?
If you say, "I waited til someone called and then asked what number they were calling" Originally Posted by tia travels
Most cell phones will identify their own number on the phone itself; you usually have to dig into some settings menus to find it.

You could also just use it to place a call to one of your other phones and check the caller ID.
FrontRunner's Avatar
I've been hoping the person who lost it would thinck to call the number, so I could return the phone to him or her. Originally Posted by chicagoboy
Sounds plausible to me.
I bought a cheap Samsung flip phone at a local place next to a Mexican grocery that has all kinds of phones. I gave them a non existent address in Baltimore, got a phone number in that area/zip code, registered it to Bob Smith, the little Latina who sold it to me just giggled when I gave her that name.... I walk into the store and pay it up quarterly. There is absolutely nothing to tie me to it. Keep it in a locked toolbox in the garage when I walk in the door, switched off.

I could be a terrorist, but I'm just a monger......😎
You could also pick up an ap like "Burner" on your smartphone. $5 a month for a fake number you get to choose the area code for if I remember correctly. Unlimited txt, pics, and calls if you subscribe or you can do 1 time credits that last 30 days but limited amount of messages/minutes. Saves you the awkward "Why you got 2 phones?" conversation.

For figuring out the number on a "found" phone most companies have a shortcode: t-mobile phones #686# then send.
ThisGuy85's Avatar
No bullshit... I literally downloaded an APP on my iphone called TextFree. So basically it lets you choose a phone number local or not and texting is completely free (a few ads and calling costs money). But I hide it in one of my app folders and use all my hobby texts that way. Of course I've only had it two days but its worked great and on the same phone and I can choose whether I want my phone to 'alert' me or not.

Pros: Free local number, free unlimited texts, can hide alerts

Cons: Calling costs money, its on your personal phone and you have to make sure you turn off the alerts.
normalguy21's Avatar
For 99$ dollars you can buy 35 mile radius walkie talkies and really play spy clock [ yes clock by the hour ]and dagger games and give each other call signs like erect one and vertical smile 2.

Come on role play 10-4 good buddy.

Find a reg and get 2 using 2 way radios