Google Voice / Burner App

[KCRob]

Looking for some advice here...In light of some disturbing stories the past couple of weeks where escorts have compromised a client’s privacy, I am considering ways to increase my anonymity. I have read posts talking about Google Voice, Burner App, etc... to shield their identity.

 

I have also read posts by escorts that hate these apps and don’t want to see clients who are afraid to use their real names and real phone numbers. Apparently they can tell if a call or text is coming from one of these apps?

 

I have had a good history with escorts and always treat them with great courtesy. With my regular escorts, privacy is not an issue as we have built up trust over time. For encounters with new escorts, I have been using an assumed name but my real number. Thinking of using a Google Voice number.

 

Thoughts?

[+ bashful]

I would not know how to set up a google voice number.

 

I have a tracfone with a completely separate number. Paid cash for it at a store, and pay cash each year at a store for the card to extent the service an additional year. Since it is only for this hobby, I never exceed minutes, texts, or data.

 

I didn't find the first phone very user friendly, so just recently bought a newer model tracfone, again cash, and it was easy to keep number, and transfer minutes, text, and data to the new phone. Did that online.

 

$79 for the new phone on sale, and ever since I got the first phone, it always been $99.99 a year to extend service every year.

[+ Gar1eth]

I would not know how to set up a google voice number.

 

I have a tracfone with a completely separate number. Paid cash for it at a store, and pay cash each year at a store for the card to extent the service an additional year. Since it is only for this hobby, I never exceed minutes, texts, or data.

 

I didn't find the first phone very user friendly, so just recently bought a newer model tracfone, again cash, and it was easy to keep number, and transfer minutes, text, and data to the new phone. Did that online.

 

$79 for the new phone on sale, and ever since I got the first phone, it always been $99.99 a year to extend service every year.

 

It's not that diifcult to set up a Google Voice #. I think the main thing is to download the Google Voice App to your phone and set it up.

 

Gman

[+ Pensant]

Never use my personal number.

[+ Tarte Gogo]

It's not that diifcult to set up a Google Voice #. I think the main thing is to download the Google Voice App to your phone and set it up.

 

Gman

Indeed, when I setup mine, took me about 7 minutes.

@KCRob, Escorts can figure out that it is a Gvoice number, but they need to do some research on the internet, it doesn’t show up as “google number” when you call them or text them., it just shows the number, which is like any other American number.

As long as you are polite, useful and informative, and show you are serious in your first post about meeting them, they should have no reason to start an internet search.

 

As for giving your name, I have never had any escort ask me my real name in my entire life, so I am not sure which type of escort requires that. I think I would just move on if one did, there is so much choice out there.

[+ FrankR]

I travel quite a bit and already carry a phone for work in addition to my personal phone. So I decided to go with the burner app on my personal phone instead of a third ‘burner phone’. I pay the monthly burner app fee - $6 i believe - without regret. Pick the one that works for you. I am not sure how anonymous google voice is - I have been able to google a google voice number and was able to pull up the name and associates gmail account...

[+ Tarte Gogo]

I have been able to google a google voice number and was able to pull up the name and associates gmail account...

Oh, yeah, for sure, but that gmail account, if properly setup, shouldn’t tell you anything about that person’s real identity.

 

My “hiring” gmail acount is associated with Tartegogo’s activities only. Not anything else I do in real life, or online.

So boytoy.com, rentmen, here, the google voice number used for texting escorts etc etc.

[MikeBiDude]

Looking for some advice here...In light of some disturbing stories the past couple of weeks where escorts have compromised a client’s privacy, I am considering ways to increase my anonymity. I have read posts talking about Google Voice, Burner App, etc... to shield their identity.

 

I have also read posts by escorts that hate these apps and don’t want to see clients who are afraid to use their real names and real phone numbers. Apparently they can tell if a call or text is coming from one of these apps?

 

I have had a good history with escorts and always treat them with great courtesy. With my regular escorts, privacy is not an issue as we have built up trust over time. For encounters with new escorts, I have been using an assumed name but my real number. Thinking of using a Google Voice number.

 

Thoughts?

On my iPhone is use the Burner App

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/burner-2nd-phone-number/id505800761?mt=8

 

I pay the monthly minimal fee, use it extensively for texting, and less so for voice call but it’s great for both. You can delete and change your number whenever you want, can have (more $) more than one burner number active in the app.

 

Is it perfectly untraceable? Probably not if you’re worried about government big brother. But as a firewall between client/escort (also Seeking Arrangements, Grindr) it perfectly suits my needs.

 

Edit: Burner App handles photos/pictures just fine but currently doesn’t support receiving video

Edited June 8, 2018 by MikeBiDude

[LaffingBear]

Be aware that your choices have some tech consequences.

 

I'm less sophisticated, just use a texting app. BUT, its not SMS. Can't use my text app number for whatsapp, etc.

 

When I read about workarounds... there were many online posts about Google Voice and VOIP systems.... I don't use those, so can't say authoritatively, but those may also have sms-related limitations.

[MikeBiDude]

Be aware that your choices have some tech consequences.

 

I'm less sophisticated, just use a texting app. BUT, its not SMS. Can't use my text app number for whatsapp, etc.

 

When I read about workarounds... there were many online posts about Google Voice and VOIP systems.... I don't use those, so can't say authoritatively, but those may also have sms-related limitations.

I’ve actually had a (very few) people comment that my texts to them look “different” i.e. they are SO used to iMessage or whatnot plain test messages look unusual to them

[+ Tarte Gogo]

I’ve actually had a (very few) people comment that my texts to them look “different” i.e. they are SO used to iMessage or whatnot plain test messages look unusual to them

It should look to them as if you are using an android phone. All their contacts are pure Apple customers?

[+ Gar1eth]

I am not sure how anonymous google voice is - I have been able to google a google voice number and was able to pull up the name and associates gmail account...

 

That's interesting. Using free searches I've never been able to find me by entering my Google Number. I don't know if one of the paid searches would show me.

 

Gman

Edited June 8, 2018 by Gar1eth

[MikeBiDude]

It should look to them as if you are using an android phone. All their contacts are pure Apple customers?

Seems like a huge majority expect iMessage looking text messages “why are your text bubbles green and not blue?...”

[+ Tarte Gogo]

Seems like a huge majority expect iMessage looking text messages “why are your text bubbles green and not blue?...”

Yes, I know how it looks, but iMessage are only available if both devices at each end are Apple devices. Any device not running an Apple OS cannot create or receive an iMessage, unless they use a special app on Android, like “PieMessage”.

[MikeBiDude]

but iMessage are only available if both devices at each end are Apple devices.

 

That was my point...

[+ Tarte Gogo]

That was my point...

I am still surprised that they are surprised.

 

If they are surprised by green bubbles, it means they never interact with anyone that doesn’t have an iPhone.

[MikeBiDude]

I am still surprised that they are surprised.

 

If they are surprised by green bubbles, it means they never interact with anyone that doesn’t have an iPhone.

Again, kind of my point, LOL! Mind you those comments come from the younger set, they seem to be 99% iPhone.

All good

[LaffingBear]

I’ve actually had a (very few) people comment that my texts to them look “different” i.e. they are SO used to iMessage or whatnot plain test messages look unusual to them

My comment was not intended to convey anything related to "look" of the text.

 

With a non-sms internet texting app... can't use Whatsapp or anything that requires SMS.

 

http://trendingearth.com/gadgets/install-whatsapp-without-number-verification-no-sim-internet-android-iphone/ Further research, and lots of failed attempts.... the workarounds described in this linked article no longer work.

[MikeBiDude]

My comment was not intended to convey anything related to "look" of the text.

 

With a non-sms internet texting app... can't use Whatsapp or anything that requires SMS.

 

http://trendingearth.com/gadgets/install-whatsapp-without-number-verification-no-sim-internet-android-iphone/ Further research, and lots of failed attempts.... the workarounds described in this linked article no longer work.

Understood...I’ve not tried WhatsApp etc with my burner number, probably won’t Work?

[+ Tarte Gogo]

My comment was not intended to convey anything related to "look" of the text.

 

With a non-sms internet texting app... can't use Whatsapp or anything that requires SMS.

 

http://trendingearth.com/gadgets/install-whatsapp-without-number-verification-no-sim-internet-android-iphone/ Further research, and lots of failed attempts.... the workarounds described in this linked article no longer work.

I am not sure what a “non-sms texting app” is. Do you have an example?

 

I am using WhatsApp with my google voice number. No problem at all. As far as I understand, Gvoice works like any real mobile number, you send and receive SMS messages.

I recommend to switch to that (if you trust google with your data).

[+ TheBigO]

I have been using textnow for a while. Works pretty well.

[LaffingBear]

I am not sure what a “non-sms texting app” is. Do you have an example?

 

I am using WhatsApp with my google voice number. No problem at all. As far as I understand, Gvoice works like any real mobile number, you send and receive SMS messages.

I recommend to switch to that (if you trust google with your data).

Textfree.

[+ Tarte Gogo]

Textfree.

Hmmm, surprising you can’t make it work with WhatsApp. I thought WhatsApp just validates the number you give it by sending you 1 text message at the beginning on that number, and then you never again need that number to continue to use WhatsApp.

I even know some people who lost their old number but have never changed their WhatsApp number.

Maybe I am wrong about how WhatsApp actually works in the background.

[LivingnLA]

Hmmm, surprising you can’t make it work with WhatsApp. I thought WhatsApp just validates the number you give it by sending you 1 text message at the beginning on that number, and then you never again need that number to continue to use WhatsApp.

I even know some people who lost their old number but have never changed their WhatsApp number.

Maybe I am wrong about how WhatsApp actually works in the background.

 

WhatsApp like more and more apps does a number validation. When you do a lookup, it's easy to determine if the number is being used by a voip service like google voice or textfree or actually a direct mobile number.

 

It's becoming harder and harder to use voip apps as more messaging apps adopt anti-voip tech. That means those of us who need discretion are being forced to return to burner phones.

Edited June 9, 2018 by LivingnLA

[mike carey]

Understood...I’ve not tried WhatsApp etc with my burner number, probably won’t Work?

I am using WhatsApp with my google voice number. No problem at all.

WhatsApp uses the phone number as a label for your service and connects you to other users independently of it via the net, it doesn't use the telecoms switching system to reach your phone. Apart from any initial validation it might use it has no further use for your link to the telephone number you use. As a WhatsApp user, at least on my android, the number enables the system to find other contacts who have the app. So, if you change your phone number but not the one used for WhatsApp there is the possibility, arguably remote, that you will be linked to a future user of that number. (Imagine LE searching your old number because of something the new phone user had done and finding your WhatsApp.) If the new user wanted to use the app, in the best case (from your perspective) they would be unable to do so, and in the worst case they may be able to override your WhatsApp account to create their own.