Need a Burner Phone but not familiar with how it all works

[toro1]

I have avoided giving my cell phone number to vendors, but it looks like I will finally have to start giving it out for multipart authentication crap. What burner phone can I get that will allow me to use that number for all the the folks (Drs offices, Insurance companies, etc) that insist on using multi part authentication? All I want is a phone that I can turn on, get their code and then turn it off. No camera, no aps, or any other things are needed. I will use my regular phone for all other communication. For those that think its already a lost cause, maybe so, but I have no aps on my phone and get about 1 spam text every 6 months and I would like to keep it a that level or less.
TIA

[G-forceJunkie]

Just go to any wallmart or target, buy a prepaid flip phone with a couple of hours on it, and bingo, you got what you need.

[toro1]

Thanks G-force and that part I understand, but was wondering about the following-

1. Will there be an ongoing monthly fee?
2. Can I spec how many hrs I want up front or are they preloaded and I just choose what I want?
2. Can I add hours in the future if I need them?

Sorry, as I should have been clearer in my original post about what specific questions I had.

I have also thought about Google Voice, but I am trying to stay away from all things Google. I know that isn't really possible these days but I try.

[Big Chudungus]

how "burner" do you need? Are you OK with using your own CCard for buying a year's cheap plan off Mint, or https://www.google.com/search?q=cell...t=gws-wiz-serp

I like my cheap phone capable Samsung A7 Lite as back up phone and small tablet. Sure its a bit big for a phone, but as small tablet its perfect for taking along if I'm going to be waiting for something. If I've gotta let someone else use it, its a lot easier to hand someone a $100 phone than a $1600 unit.

[twinfin]

Toro,

I have a burner phone for similar reasons. What I did was buy a Tracfone at Walmart paying in cash. They (Tracfone) almost give their phones away so they are fairly cheep; I think I paid $17 bucks for the phone. Next, you have to buy a Tracfone service plan card that gives you a number minutes of talk, text and data over a defined period of time. The least expensive option is to buy a one-year card which puts the monthly cost for the phone at about $10 bucks per month. If you don’t use it that often, you won’t run out of the minutes & data allotted but if you do, you can always buy another card to add talk text and data if need be.

In the initial setup, you’ll need to link this phone to another phone that can receive an authentication number from Tracfone as part of the initial start up procedure. So, to keep the burner phone unlinked to you, ask the person at the counter if they will use their phone to help you get service started. The clerks will almost always do this for you. If you don’t care about this phone being linked to you, just use your own phone to receive the authorization code to get service started. Once service is established, you never have to do this step again; you’ll only have to renew the service plan each year by buying another one-year card (or 6 month or 3 month card etc).

I hope this helps.

[Spanky8601]

Toro,

I have a burner phone for similar reasons. What I did was buy a Tracfone at Walmart paying in cash. They (Tracfone) almost give their phones away so they are fairly cheep; I think I paid $17 bucks for the phone. Next, you have to buy a Tracfone service plan card that gives you a number minutes of talk, text and data over a defined period of time. The least expensive option is to buy a one-year card which puts the monthly cost for the phone at about $10 bucks per month. If you don’t use it that often, you won’t run out of the minutes & data allotted but if you do, you can always buy another card to add talk text and data if need be.

In the initial setup, you’ll need to link this phone to another phone that can receive an authentication number from Tracfone as part of the initial start up procedure. So, to keep the burner phone unlinked to you, ask the person at the counter if they will use their phone to help you get service started. The clerks will almost always do this for you. If you don’t care about this phone being linked to you, just use your own phone to receive the authorization code to get service started. Once service is established, you never have to do this step again; you’ll only have to renew the service plan each year by buying another one-year card (or 6 month or 3 month card etc).

I hope this helps.

Thanks for this explanation. Even a boomer like me now understands.

[toro1]

Toro,

I have a burner phone for similar reasons. What I did was buy a Tracfone at Walmart paying in cash. They (Tracfone) almost give their phones away so they are fairly cheep; I think I paid $17 bucks for the phone. Next, you have to buy a Tracfone service plan card that gives you a number minutes of talk, text and data over a defined period of time. The least expensive option is to buy a one-year card which puts the monthly cost for the phone at about $10 bucks per month. If you don’t use it that often, you won’t run out of the minutes & data allotted but if you do, you can always buy another card to add talk text and data if need be.

In the initial setup, you’ll need to link this phone to another phone that can receive an authentication number from Tracfone as part of the initial start up procedure. So, to keep the burner phone unlinked to you, ask the person at the counter if they will use their phone to help you get service started. The clerks will almost always do this for you. If you don’t care about this phone being linked to you, just use your own phone to receive the authorization code to get service started. Once service is established, you never have to do this step again; you’ll only have to renew the service plan each year by buying another one-year card (or 6 month or 3 month card etc).

I hope this helps.

Thanks, This is just what I was looking for.

[twinfin]

Thanks, This is just what I was looking for.

Glad I could help.

Service providers are growing increasingly annoying in their demand for information from me to which they are not entitled. My wife and I are both doing a good job at just saying no. I’ve yet to show ID at a medical appointment for example. It’s just so annoying when business’s think they are entitled to my personal information but also satisfying when you politely establish the acceptable terms of the relationship.

I hope a burner phone helps you achieve the workaround you were looking for.

[Big Chudungus]

Thanks, This is just what I was looking for.

ditto. back in the day IIRC you could buy a burner and minutes on a card for cash from Radio Shack, and no other phone needed. If clerk balks it should be easy enough to tap some random casual acquaintance....someone who wont be able to give The Feds any info on you 2 weeks later. Wear hoodie and disguise, and put shoe lifts in one shoe when making purchase, and bike in and out of parking lot. Keep burner in "tin foil hat" Faraday Cage and don't keep it with you or have your other phones with you when you 'visit' your burner.

Always get a burner if even shopping for a new car, it will be worth it just to cut down on post purchase telemarketing for extended warranty.

[toro1]

Glad I could help.

Service providers are growing increasingly annoying in their demand for information from me to which they are not entitled. My wife and I are both doing a good job at just saying no. I’ve yet to show ID at a medical appointment for example. It’s just so annoying when business’s think they are entitled to my personal information but also satisfying when you politely establish the acceptable terms of the relationship.

I hope a burner phone helps you achieve the workaround you were looking for.

It is completely out of hand. When I tell these places no, the looks on their faces are total disbelief that I would dare to say no. Most of the time I can take my business elsewhere, but unfortunately there are a couple of places I have to deal with so I have to do something for them.

[Scotty]

I use a Google voice number to give out. It does a pretty good job filtering out spam calls. You can also mark callers so that in the future it plays the this number has been disconnected.

[67Cuda]

I use a Google voice number to give out. It does a pretty good job filtering out spam calls.

The only problem with google voice is that you need to use it often enough, or it will go away and you'll have to do it again with a different number.

[Scotty]

The only problem with google voice is that you need to use it often enough, or it will go away and you'll have to do it again with a different number.

Only friends and family have my actual cellphone. Everyone else gets my GV number. So it's not that hard to keep using it.