I hope to take the plunge soon and I need a phone that can't be traced back to me. Anyone have companies/models/places they trust the most? Any advice would help.
the question is, how anonymous do you need to be? for the average person id say yes a prepaid walmart phone, but if someone had the resources they could find out exactly who bought that phone, where they bought a refill card, etc. with video cameras everywhere these days dont expect complete anonymity.
I would agree with Boobs, a throw away phone is relatively anonymous. However the reciever/transmitter are licensed with FCC. So they can trace manufacturer, which gives store it was sold, which has you on camera purchasing. A couple flyers in the vicinity and someone's pointing to your front door. So more than likely your safe from anybody that doesn't have a warrant.
I'll use my bicycle. Then when I'm not using the phone I'll remove the battery so it's not tracking me everywhere I go when it's off. I'll use a voice changer whenever I use it, and tell everyone I'm my boss at work whenever I make a date with a provider.
Pay cash at a small family run convenience store. If they have a sign "Video Surveillance" they probably don't.
I've even bought a SIM from a company in the Caymans. "They" can't track the phone, only the SIM. You can buy an unlocked phone for $20 at many of the mobile phone repair places. I don't know if he's still there, but there's a mobile phone repair place near 183 & MoPac where the guy will sell you an unlocked phone with a "paperless" SIM. You have to meet him by his truck after he shuts down, but he's a "stand up guy".
Buy an unlocked phone. Any phone you buy off the shelf will likely have some traceability since you can only use one service. You can even get an unlocked iPhone 3 for around $100. See my other post.