Hi Everyone. Tried researching this on old threads but have not found anything. What is best Trac Phone, and best plan? Any tips would help.  Not very Tech-savvy

TheGovernor

the cheapest "smart phone" they had for like $40.  I wanted a smart phone for ease of texting compared to a flip phone.  It's a little LG something or other.  What I didn't realize was the cheap'y phone I got runs some oddball LG software and not Android.  The LG software is a PITA, especially for texting.  TracFone offers phones with Android for a little more and I wish I would have bought one of those.  I DO NOT use FB, Wi-Fi or any other apps on this phone, I just wanted to make easy calls and easy texts that are easy to delete.

as for the plans.  I buy the $20 cards that are good for 90 days with cash at CVS/Walgreens.  This way you can get 360 days of phone time for $80.  The annual cards are $99 but a little more convenient I suppose.  I buy 2 cards at a time as they do not expire.  you can activate with one card and keep an extra handy when one expires.  

you can download an App called Hushed.
 you dont need a separate phone to carry, just download the app on your existing phone.
 It will allow you to pick the phone number you wish ,from the ones they have available to pick from.
 it will cost you around $ 29.99 for a year, you can call or text.
 you can only use it when you sign in or log-in with your email and a password.
 you can delete the App from your screen so no one can notice the icon,( when you are not using it) in case some is trying to look  
 into your phone. Hope this helps. why carry two phones??

The thing about the apps versus the tracfone/sim card route is the former will be tied to your real phone number and the service can and will provide your real number to LE if given a warrant -- and possible even without one like a number of the tech companies and telcos do (mention this as a risk not a fact). The latter has a separate number that is not linked to the the links back to you personally.

So you have to ask yourself: Are you feeling paranoid?

Negotiator;

Is it traceable even if I pay cash?

Pls advise.

you register the phone online don't use your real name, real address, etc.

I got a free Trac phone from assure wireless with 125 free mins that roll over I have 2000 save up but I have to call one hoker a month. This is  program oboma pass some people call these oboma phones.

If you pay cash, it is much less traceable, assuming we're just talking about hobbying, you'd be just fine.  Activate it using your hobby email and name (alias).  I also always uy the reactivation cards with cash and perform the activations directly on the phone instead of using a computer online

I'm sure each of us have varying circumstances and issues we must address to mitigate risk and remain discreet.

There are a few reasons I use a physically separate phone.
1) I DO NOT want my civvie phone in a room with a provider.  
This way, I can't accidently answer a call or ass dial someone from my civvie phone if it not on me during a session.  Also, there's nothing for the provider to look at or snoop through while I'm in the shower.  

2) As mentioned, the number is in no way linked to my civvie phone and can't be disclosed by service providers (in case of an LE warrant, etc.)

3) Less worry regarding civvie snoops (SO, girlfriend, etc.) My civvie phone is clean, search it all you want.

In my case, I'm able to keep my hobby phone safely "off-site".  It is only turned on on hobbying days.  I have a very specific ritual I use when "running" to a session.  Civvie phone, ID, valuables stay in my car that is parked outside the potential range of LE surveillance.  When arriving at an incall, I just walk up on foot from out of nowhere with a burner phone and some cash, that's it.  No ID for her to look at, no impounding my ride if LE sting, no jewelry to steal or get lost in police evidence/check in, just the cloths on my back, a nearly empty burner phone and a couple hundred bucks in my pocket is all there is should something go sideways.