they'll ask you if you want to activate it and ask you for your info...just tell them you'll do it yourself, there is no requirement to reveal anything. Then go to the website to activate, which you can do without RL info.  

Getting more time is easy as well. I just pick up a card at Walgreens. All you have to do is go to your account, which is only identified by the cell number and the email address you registered with, and redeem.

Unless you are single and in business for yourself, it's wise to keep the two worlds separate.

even Home Depot. Everything is bought with cash and the phone was registered with an alternate name & address and my hobby email address.

I got mine at Walgreens -- got a cheap Android phone there for $29 and then also bought the 90 day card.  You can pay in cash and then do the activation on your own.

Seems to me that having to keep track of an extra phone and/or explain it if it is discovered is more of a problem. Go to the App Store (If using iPhone) and purchase it for $29. You can get a cell number from any area code in the country and plenty of texting capacity. Calls on the app have a distinct ring so you know whether it is safe to answer or let it go into voice mail. Put the icon inside of a nondescript group of apps that are already on your phone and finally, password protect your phone. I have been using it since I joined the hobby 3 years ago and it works like a charm.