Echo74 Posted August 10, 2017 Posted August 10, 2017 I'm seriously considering online dating. But in this day & age of electronic footprints, I hesitate to give out my phone number. I do want to be able to speak to a potential date to get a feel for the person before meeting him. Of course I do not want anyone to be able to find my last name or other personal info on me using my mobile number. I've been looking into buying a cheap mobile (Tracphone?) for this purpose. Has anyone tried this type of phone? If so, did it work well for you as far as texting and phone calls? Any other suggestions welcome as well.
HarmonyDriven Posted August 10, 2017 Posted August 10, 2017 Right when I was reading the initial part of your post, I was thinking TRACFone. Excellent idea!!! I will be getting back into OLD soon, and I was thinking of getting a TracFone as I don't want to give out my phone number for the same reasons you noted. TracFone is great for calls/texts. My mom used to have a TracFone. It was fine. But I am not sure about text/call charges for the TracFone.
HarmonyDriven Posted August 10, 2017 Posted August 10, 2017 Right when I was reading the initial part of your post, I was thinking TRACFone. Excellent idea!!! I will be getting back into OLD soon, and I was thinking of getting a TracFone as I don't want to give out my phone number for the same reasons you noted. TracFone is great for calls/texts. My mom used to have a TracFone. It was fine. But I am not sure about text/call charges for the TracFone. And the best part about using TracFone, anytime you get a call or text, you know it is related to OLD.
Robratory Posted August 10, 2017 Posted August 10, 2017 My permanent phone is a Tracfone because, for low-usage, it's extremely economical. It's a regular Android phone with just a few features disabled or changed because it's customized for Tracfone. I've had no service issues with it. You may find the Tracfone website hard to understand because some phones get double minutes and others get triple minutes, plus you can buy data separately. So just be advised, it's not you, it's the website.
JuneL Posted August 10, 2017 Posted August 10, 2017 Get a free google voice number and you can call/text for free using their app.
Gr8fuln2020 Posted August 10, 2017 Posted August 10, 2017 I give out my personal number all the time and have never had any problems. In fact, I am quite aware of what information one MAY be able to get from it and since I have nothing to hide or fear, I give it. We all have our level of security, but using a false number is already a sign of deceit, subterfuge. I just gave out my number to two ladies I will be meeting for the first time tomorrow and the evening after. I hope they find out everything they can about me. 1
HarmonyDriven Posted August 10, 2017 Posted August 10, 2017 I don't think using a TracFone is a sign of deceit......if you buy the phone, it's your phone, your number....just using it for OLD. Nor, do I think using google voice number app is deceiving either. When I did OLD several years ago, I used my own number. But I do recall some situations where the guy got all upset because I said I had met someone, going to see how that pans out so would not be going out with other guys. This one guy had a conniption fit. He texted some choice words = womanly body parts......I blocked his number. But, if he really wanted to, he could have googled my phone #, find out where I lived, etc.... Anyone could do that with a phone # or go to those sites like beenverified.com. Definitely a level of security and comfort. 1
Gr8fuln2020 Posted August 10, 2017 Posted August 10, 2017 (edited) I don't think using a TracFone is a sign of deceit......if you buy the phone, it's your phone, your number....just using it for OLD. Nor, do I think using google voice number app is deceiving either. Definitely a level of security and comfort. I retract my statements about deception. I agree. My experiences have not even remotely pushed me towards using an alternative number. I would think after the first or second date that you would have shared where you work, your full name, etc. so using an alternative number seems unnecessary. I've been fortunate selecting women who have been reasonable and mostly very pleasant to have met. Sites like beenverified.com seems like a decent way to find out if a guy is legit or lying. Could be used pro-actively or for more nefarious reasons. I guess we all have some desire to hide our identities, but hopefully not from those we are dating. Edited August 10, 2017 by simpleNfit
HarmonyDriven Posted August 10, 2017 Posted August 10, 2017 (edited) I agree, after one-two dates if I felt comfortable releasing personal information I will. Even after that situation occurred, I continued to give out my personal phone number with no issues. But, going forward with OLD again, not sure.... Maybe it's a gender thing..... Maybe I think like this now because I watch too many crime shows.....I am liking the TracFone idea.....more and more.... Definitely consider using beenverified.com Edited August 10, 2017 by HarmonyDriven
Author Echo74 Posted August 10, 2017 Author Posted August 10, 2017 My permanent phone is a Tracfone because, for low-usage, it's extremely economical. It's a regular Android phone with just a few features disabled or changed because it's customized for Tracfone. I've had no service issues with it. You may find the Tracfone website hard to understand because some phones get double minutes and others get triple minutes, plus you can buy data separately. So just be advised, it's not you, it's the website. Okay thanks for the info on that. It's probably the direction I will go. I retract my statements about deception. I agree. My experiences have not even remotely pushed me towards using an alternative number. I would think after the first or second date that you would have shared where you work, your full name, etc. so using an alternative number seems unnecessary. I've been fortunate selecting women who have been reasonable and mostly very pleasant to have met. Sites like beenverified.com seems like a decent way to find out if a guy is legit or lying. Could be used pro-actively or for more nefarious reasons. I guess we all have some desire to hide our identities, but hopefully not from those we are dating. Never heard of this website but will definitely check it out once I get going. Regarding privacy, I had a bad experience once so I'm generally very private about my info now.
rightondude Posted August 10, 2017 Posted August 10, 2017 chat on the OLD app until you meet up. After that, If you like/trust them well enough to hand them a business card, give `em those digits. 1
Jj66 Posted August 10, 2017 Posted August 10, 2017 Never used an alternative number. But I don't give out my number until there is at leas a modicum of trust she's not a scammer.
Chris2016 Posted August 10, 2017 Posted August 10, 2017 Haven't done online dating, but this has crossed my mind. Some social media settings by default may allow looking you up by your phone number, and you have to adjust that setting. I think it's a good idea to use a throw away number.
Larryville Posted August 10, 2017 Posted August 10, 2017 There are two trains of thought on this. I have no problem giving out my number, which is a guy thing. There are countless call blocking apps so if someone harasses you block them. There are apps where you can change your number when you call. But what‘s the point? If you have fear of giving someone your phone number then OLD is not your thing. The goal is the meet and communicate. Simply choose who you communicate with wisely. The flip side is this, scammers. Someone gives you a number from an odd area code and the info they give you does not seem right. I’ve looked up numbers with non-existent caller ID info, or “potential scammers” and confirmed a number I was given was bogus. RARE but possible. Most OLD websites now have a “caller” option, even POF so you don’t have to worry about that. The reason why good constant communication, asking the right questions, building that trust right from the start is important, especially for women. The thing is if someone gave me a burner number or a throwaway number that would send up red flags, especially if we had been emailing extensively.
coolheadal Posted August 10, 2017 Posted August 10, 2017 (edited) You really don't need to do that option you can use TextNow uses your cell phone as a secondary cell number. You just give that local number calls your cell if you don't want it you delete the app. Call or text. No need to get tracphone option. TextNow is free. There is another option Slideline is another on to use just like Text Now is. Edited August 10, 2017 by coolheadal
Author Echo74 Posted August 10, 2017 Author Posted August 10, 2017 There are two trains of thought on this. I have no problem giving out my number, which is a guy thing. There are countless call blocking apps so if someone harasses you block them. There are apps where you can change your number when you call. But what‘s the point? If you have fear of giving someone your phone number then OLD is not your thing. The goal is the meet and communicate. Simply choose who you communicate with wisely. The flip side is this, scammers. Someone gives you a number from an odd area code and the info they give you does not seem right. I’ve looked up numbers with non-existent caller ID info, or “potential scammers” and confirmed a number I was given was bogus. RARE but possible. Most OLD websites now have a “caller” option, even POF so you don’t have to worry about that. The reason why good constant communication, asking the right questions, building that trust right from the start is important, especially for women. The thing is if someone gave me a burner number or a throwaway number that would send up red flags, especially if we had been emailing extensively. I disagree with this statement. My intention is to message a few times and if we're both interested, exchange numbers. The thing about the written word is that it can easily be misunderstood. But when you speak to someone, you hear how the person feels through their tone, a pause, whether they are laughing. I am very upfront about my online safety and if a guy cannot understand that I need to keep my personal info safe by using a Tracfone, then he is probably not for me anyway. Not sure I understand about "caller option" and how that would keep my info private until I'm comfortable enough to give out my usual mobile number. This is all a learning experience for me and I'm trying to learn everything I can before going "live". You really don't need to do that option you can use TextNow uses your cell phone as a secondary cell number. You just give that local number calls your cell if you don't want it you delete the app. Call or text. No need to get tracphone option. TextNow is free. There is another option Slideline is another on to use just like Text Now is. I read reviews on those apps and some of the users complain about dropped calls, poor voice quality, etc. I do have the most updated version of my mobile so not sure if has to do the users phone. I'd rather not take a chance having those issues. But thanks for the suggestion.
CryForNoOne Posted August 11, 2017 Posted August 11, 2017 So I seem to have the opposite problem. I just returned to OLD after a 5 year hiatus. I keep getting phone numbers - I'm not even asking for them. It's usually something like "I've got to get up for work tomorrow. My cell is xxx-xxx-xxxx. HMU." So the next day I text and they send an enthusiastic reply. I cut right to the chase and ask to meet and then radio silence. 3 in a row now. So WTF are they looking for? Text buddies? We already exchanged 50-150 messages in all 3 cases. I don't want a penpal and I refuse to do the dancing seal routine which it's starting to seem that woman want before meeting. Why do you offer your number without me even asking unless you want to meet???
Popsicle Posted August 11, 2017 Posted August 11, 2017 If you're nit good at screening online then by all means get a throw away number. 1
Gr8fuln2020 Posted August 11, 2017 Posted August 11, 2017 If you're nit good at screening online then by all means get a throw away number. This is so important! I am confident in saying that the reason I have NEVER had any problems giving my real number is b/c I have screened very well. That requires some conversation online to get a feel of what I'm dealing with. I don't just give it out to anyone.
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