Pre-paid Cell Phones

[FormerOstrich]

I've mentioned this on a couple of other threads but thought it might deserve a thread of it's own.

You can purchase pre-paid cell phones for cash at many retailers. Additionally, you can purchase the minutes, for cash, on an ATM like card. If you make your purchases by cash you don't have to ever identify yourself.

I use a pre-paid cell phone. However, I purchase my airtime on-line instead of the card so I have already indentified myself. I have had great service with my phone and wouldn't ever go back to a contract base service. It's just a thought for keeping your name out of the NSA tracking system.

[sarcasmo]

1. Boost Mobile is a good one and they have the walkie talkie feature.

With all of this NSA spying junk pre-paid is the way to go. Kick and Nom for it's own thread.

[Duer 157099]

2. This little loophole will be filled soon

Somehow. Probably start needing to provide ID to buy one or something.

[tandot]

3. I actually have a tracfone and it is really a great deal for us

I don't use it too often and pay $19.99 for 40 minutes of phone time. I only have to renew it every 4 month to keep the phone number. And if I still have minutes left, it will carry over.

However, if you are someone who uses the cell phone a lot, I don't know if it isn't too expensive.

[brook]

9. I've had tracfone for 6 years.

It's more per minute, but I'm very happy with the cost and convenience...plain vanilla though it is.(I hate getting their dumb phone calls though- I know when it's time for a new card, darn it!)

[FormerOstrich]

13. Mine is tracfone, too.

but, I never get any phone calls from them. I do get e-mail reminders. Maybe that's the difference. There might be some way you can opt out of them. I'd try calling them if you can't find it on their web site.

TracFone

[brook]

14. Thanks. I will.

I get both. :grr: (I'm just a grouch about 'unsolicited' stuff). :)

[Kutjara]

4. I use a T-mobile prepaid...

...and, whenever I buy a topup card at a T-Mobile store, they ask for my name and phone number. So be careful where you buy your cards.

[sarcasmo]

6. The Inner City stores never ask for ID. A trick I learned from some

let's call them product salesman in the inner city.

[MADem]

10. Give them someone else's name, like say, Dusty Foggo!

Odds are the dweeb behind the counter won't know the diff.

[JanusAscending]

12. I have the same thing.

Got it in a Rite Aid Drug store, and no one asked me for any personal info! I keep it turned off most of the time to save the battery. I carry it with me for emergency only.

[shanti]

5. i dumped t-mobile

for metro pcs 2 years ago...after my son ran up a $1000 phone bill which t-mobile refused to compromise on.

i had to actually BUY the phone, but it's month-to-month, no contract. it's not perfect. i can't, for instance, travel from sacramento to l.a. and talk on my phone, but for calls to and from northern california destinations (most of my calls) it's great.

best move i ever made. $50 a month, all the bells and whistles, unlimited minutes.

*on edit - i can also pay my bill online!*

[Eugene]

7. Remember that your purchase may be videotaped.

If there is ANY traceable information on the phone or airtime
purchase, it can be tracked back to you or the people you
associate with. Also, using strictly cash may attract
extra attention from law enforcement.

[AlamoDemoc]

8. ....and what shall we do about the Identity Cards being

disguised as immigration related issue? We can't run away from this administration, hence we need to fight back, and make sure our Representatives in Washington have a role in the government say, instead of being stamped-straight YES SIR bunch.

[Solo_in_MD]

11. You can buy the top up cards for cash as well as the phone.

Treat it like a shag phone, and it will make tracing it to you much harder.