Not long ago, I encountered a new wrinkle in the ongoing insanity relating to screening and verification.  The provider was initially reasonable, asking for references.  Then she suddenly demanded that we only communicate via text from a verifiable non-burner phone.  Text from a burner phone or an app was no good, nor was email or TER Private Message.  This is clearly just her backdoor way to obtain her clients' real names and other Personally Identifying Information (PII).  She evidently thinks we're stupid.  In truth, it seems many hobbyists are indeed stupid.  

I can understand not accepting a VOIP number, but a true cell service number? You’re correct she’s reaching for more personal info  

I wonder what ladies do with clients with service through an MVNO like Mint or Visible. They're technically pre-paid services and I don't know how they'd show up in whatever checks they do.

not sure about visible but Mint works fine.  used it multiple time to get verified.

I'm pretty sure that when my Mint number is checked it still shows as being with AT&T, which was my previous carrier.

Providers shouldn't care whether the client uses VOIP, a burner phone, or an app like Google Voice. Insisting on a traceable cell service number is merely a backdoor way to obtain Personally Identifying Information (PII), and the only reason for doing that is to enable future blackmail.

Some obviously care since the number is another source of screening information.