I went to get my first hobby phone at Radio Shack.  The clerk said that they would activate and add the minutes on which I thought was no problem.  He then started to ask for my name, address, etc.  I was not expecting this and was caught off guard.  He said that it was a homeland security issue and had to have to have a name and address.  I was afraid they were going to ask for proof so I gave them my real info.

Does the store always activate the phone or can you take it home and then add the minutes etc?  Do you activate it on line or can you just add the minutes to the phone. Probably should have given them a fake name  but I wasn't that fast on my feet.  Probably going to chalk it up as  a $40 learning experience and buy a new one.

Don't need use real name or address
you pay for  the minutes


-- Modified on 3/15/2009 5:07:15 PM

You can't even buy batteries there without giving them the birthplaces of your grandparents.

I got mine about 2 years ago.  7-11 speak-out phone.  Paid cash for it.  Activated it with no information required and buy cards for cash to top it up.  So absolutely no personal info is attached to the phone.

The law may be recent or it may be the carrier's idea.  I wouldn't worry, you still get most of the protection you need.  The only issue is that LE can at some point find out who you are.  Making phone calls isn't illegal, so I wouldn't worry at all.

using cash to buy the top-up card.  No paper trails period.

- Go to a different radio shack (or another carrier) and have a fake name and address ready to go. They won't ask for proof.

- Do chalk it up to a $40 learning experience.

- there is no reason to use that phone for this endeavor.  

- you might want to make sure there isn't going to be anything mailed to you from that phone you just activated, particularly if you have a SO.

- don't activate anything online at home (this is probably being over cautious, but why take the risk?)

I like tracfone...  has a default address in Florida!  I use a secure e-mail to get their notices at.  
I probably would try changing the address first.  Radio Shack likes to send advertizing but nothing identifiable.  Last time Radio Shack did that to me, they insisted on a name:  I told them "Johnny", last name "Cash"...  end of conversation...
skb

LOL, Johhny Cash!! Thats priceless

Did you cover your tracks on your computer? You would be amazed at what can be found on a computer.