Unsafe to use personal mobile number for punting comms??? lesson learned!!!

[Tom.steer]

Yesterday I found out how unsafe it is to use personal mobile number for punting comms. Around 11 pm I got a text on WhatsApp “Hi” from unknown number, I wasn’t sure who it was as there was no DP, so I asked who it is. Apparently it was one of the WGs I’d met 3-4 months ago. WTF, what happened to descretion policy these WGs say they follow. She said I saw our comms, “are you alone? Can you talk” that was her next text message. I told her I am not alone and certainly can not talk now, and blocked her number. I don’t know what was going through her mind, I certainly don’t wanna get involved in their shite, best policy is just to ignore. I should not have replied I guess but tbf I didn’t see the name or DP hence I had to ask who it was. I’ve learned my lesson, going to get a new sim just for punting. Has it happened to anyone else.

[The_Don]

Yesterday I found out how unsafe it is to use personal mobile number for punting comms. Around 11 pm I got a text on WhatsApp “Hi” from unknown number, I wasn’t sure who it was as there was no DP, so I asked who it is. Apparently it was one of the WGs I’d met 3-4 months ago. WTF, what happened to descretion policy these WGs say they follow. She said I saw our comms, “are you alone? Can you talk” that was her next text message. I told her I am not alone and certainly can not talk now, and blocked her number. I don’t know what was going through her mind, I certainly don’t wanna get involved in their shite, best policy is just to ignore. I should not have replied I guess but tbf I didn’t see the name or DP hence I had to ask who it was. I’ve learned my lesson, going to get a new sim just for punting. Has it happened to anyone else.

Get a cheap punting phone and IMO, several SIM's can have it uses

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[oinki]

When I first punted I used my personal phone - shared with two escorts. Switched very closely after, but I got a text message 2 years after from one of the WGs asking whether I wanted to book despite only seeing her once, 2 years before...

[doughboy]

I use an app called Freetone. It generates a random number for you, which you can then use to make calls and texts. Not that expensive and no need to explain why you have another phone!

[Amluthar]

Does this app work in the UK? It looks like it works in the US only.

[nigel4498]

I am at a complete loss as to why some punters don't buy and use a cheap punting phone.
It's just common sense.
Any hassle? Throw the SIM and buy a new one.
Simples.

[jimmyjackjones]

There is an app available on the app store called textme, generates a random mobile number that you can use

[Anadin]

Easy to make a mistake with some of those second number apps so be careful. I don't need to be too careful as I'm single and don't seem to exist online but even I have a punting phone and try to keep most punting activities limited to that device.

[loner]

2nd punting phone makes sense but also there is that possibility that your punting phone gets found out and all the evidence there....

[Cunning Punt]

If you use the same phone but different SIMs, then the numbers and contacts can be shared. It seems so much of a hassle and recipe for confusion and potential problems.

As has been said, separate punting phone with its own SIM is the way forward.

2nd punting phone makes sense but also there is that possibility that your punting phone gets found out and all the evidence there....

Well if it's locked, she won't find the evidence there and if you can't think of an imaginative reason why you may have another phone hidden away, ie old, forgotten phone, or a place to hide in the house/car, do you not have a drawer/bag at work, locker at gym etc?

[WHG]

Punting phones and sims are so easy and cheap to get now that I don’t know why I took the risk with using my personal number early on in my punting life.
Also, the punting phone makes me feel a bit Walter White from Breaking Bad.

While we’re on the subject, if your other half does find the secret punting phone, just tell her that you’ve been cooking meth and are well on your way to becoming a drug lord.
I’m sure it won’t be a problem.....

[power2u]

Get a dual SIM phone if you want to just use one phone. No awkward questions of why you have a shitty cheap phone if ever discovered.

[PapaSmurf]

I am at a complete loss as to why some punters don't buy and use a cheap punting phone.
It's just common sense.
Any hassle? Throw the SIM and buy a new one.
Simples.

Same. I thought it was a no brainer. I even created a new email address for my Adultwork account.

[Spacecowb0y]

Get a dual SIM phone if you want to just use one phone. No awkward questions of why you have a shitty cheap phone if ever discovered.

i wouldn't advise on this. Very easy to use the wrong sim,and tben your contacts are linked.
Two phones, two sims and they never meet

[Spacecowb0y]

The only thing i am yet to overcome is which sims (companies) don't have an adult bar by default. I want to browse AW and UKP from the punting phone, when away from wi fi

[dami3n]

I am at a complete loss as to why some punters don't buy and use a cheap punting phone.
It's just common sense.
Any hassle? Throw the SIM and buy a new one.
Simples.

not sure if this suggestion is for single guys or guys who are involved, I honestly can't imagine any guy with a missus can pull this off

a second phone will inevitably fall out your jacket, land on the table after a friday night on the lash or otherwise make it's presence known, of that I have no doubt (at least with my luck)

unless it's a work phone there's really no explaining away a second phone - it's probably an affair or if you are well shady maybe you can run the drugs angle

personally a dual sim with a talk talk sim works for me and I'm religious about switching before punting comms, it's not that hard.

Does this app work in the UK? It looks like it works in the US only.

Works in the UK, even used it in France to avoid roaming but in my experience it's not very reliable as it relies on an internet connection so call quality/availability can be patchy when you may least expect.

[bugsy]

not sure if this suggestion is for single guys or guys who are involved, I honestly can't imagine any guy with a missus can pull this off

a second phone will inevitably fall out your jacket, land on the table after a friday night on the lash or otherwise make it's presence known, of that I have no doubt (at least with my luck)

unless it's a work phone there's really no explaining away a second phone - it's probably an affair or if you are well shady maybe you can run the drugs angle

personally a dual sim with a talk talk sim works for me and I'm religious about switching before punting comms, it's not that hard.

Works in the UK, even used it in France to avoid roaming but in my experience it's not very reliable as it relies on an internet connection so call quality/availability can be patchy when you may least expect.

A separate SIM is all that’s required if a second phone is at risk of discovery by a partner or wife. Get one of those international pay as you go SIMs (lebara or lycamobile are 2 common examples)  that can be bought with cash from a newsagent, vending machine or those kiosks at major rail stations ,you top up with at least £10 and get  a minutes and data package. Use your punting SIM when punting and your regular SIM when not punting and remember only cash should be used to top up.  Even if these sims require registration, use your punting email address and punting name (these steps may seem obvious)

[emkay]

I have so many old phones lying around no-one would ever question another one, I however only use a dumb phone as a punting phone. It's a pain using old-fashioned texting to reply to messages but I don't trust what might happen with a smartphone. One google login and everything is linked. I'd want not just a punting phone but a complete punting identity and that's too much work.

[JonasG]

Even if you're single it's essential.

I had a punt on Xmas Eve, rang one girl and she didn't answer. So booked another girl.

The girl that didn't answer then rang my punting phone on Xmas Day ffs around 5pm!

You really don't want shit like that happening on your real phone. 

[kaj314]

I assume the punting phones have a pay as you go sim? Any suggestions for which to get as I've lost the one I had and can't get the same one again!!

[Marmalade]

If you do use a single smart phone, you must have a routine that changes settings permanently or else allow only when you are alone.

On an iPhone, go to settings, notifications. Scroll down to WhatsApp and hit notifications again. Either disable notifications altogether or disable all alerts and sounds, especially 'show on lock screen'. You might want to keep 'badge app icon' which allows you to check quickly to see if you have messages. Then put your whatsapp in a folder so it is less obvious. Discourage all friends and families from contacting you on whatsapp.

Now go back to settings, notifications and see if you have any other programs that you don't want to be bubbling up unexpectedly. Use a numerical lock on your phone, not a swipe. Put any apps and homescreen URL links that you use for punting in a separate folder somewhere less obvious. Set a browser to 'always private' and keep that for punting-only use. If you make notes of a punt, write them in a shorthand code that only you understand.

Under settings, privacy, location services, consider any apps that dont need a record of your location such as Messages or Skype.

If you use Uber, go into the app and delete previous journeys.

Happy punting!

[Bassman]

I use an old phone that I upgraded away from a number of years ago. I don’t have it with me unless I’m on my way too or from a punt. Otherwise it’s turned off dumbed in a drawer somewhere around the house until I need it.

In the past it’s been noticed by the at the time current civvy partner but always been ‘my old phone’. So nothing to be suspicious of. If they were to turn it on they wouldn’t get past the lock screen anyway.

It’s really this simple.

[Anadin]

I assume the punting phones have a pay as you go sim? Any suggestions for which to get as I've lost the one I had and can't get the same one again!!

Three seems to be the one to choose. I also use 1pmobile.

[smiths]

Yesterday I found out how unsafe it is to use personal mobile number for punting comms. Around 11 pm I got a text on WhatsApp “Hi” from unknown number, I wasn’t sure who it was as there was no DP, so I asked who it is. Apparently it was one of the WGs I’d met 3-4 months ago. WTF, what happened to descretion policy these WGs say they follow. She said I saw our comms, “are you alone? Can you talk” that was her next text message. I told her I am not alone and certainly can not talk now, and blocked her number. I don’t know what was going through her mind, I certainly don’t wanna get involved in their shite, best policy is just to ignore. I should not have replied I guess but tbf I didn’t see the name or DP hence I had to ask who it was. I’ve learned my lesson, going to get a new sim just for punting. Has it happened to anyone else.

Good to hear you have learned from it, I have been using a punting phone for years, even if a WG leaves a text on that I wont be seeing her again as she has showed she cant or doesn't want to be discreet.

If using a Smartphone as a punting phone ensure you know EXACTLY how it works and ALL its features, I use a basic non-Smartphone myself.

[kaj314]

Three seems to be the one to choose. I also use 1pmobile.

Cheers buddy, got a 3 sim

[PleadInsanity]

The good thing with the 3 sim is that your credit doesn't expire if you use it at least once every 90 days or something.  It's nice and simple 3p min call, 2p for a text and 1p per mb data.

[The_Don]

Cheers buddy, got a 3 sim

Having used most of the larger mobile networks, I've found 3, to offer some of the best rates. With out most of the silly rules around usage (IMO).

[The_Don]

The good thing with the 3 sim is that your credit doesn't expire if you use it at least once every 90 days or something.  It's nice and simple 3p min call, 2p for a text and 1p per mb data.

6 months with out usage, is my understanding.

[kydon81]

I had a similar issue, called to arrange a meeting, then got a text msg with the address. Not sure why I got the same message 2/3 hours later. The issue is that there was a xxx at the end and babes. Close call!

I downloaded the FreeTone app and it looks good thanks for the tip

[texmex]

For iPhone users- Last week I discovered app called CloudSim
Basically- i was at home, punting phone in locker at work.  And i did not really wanted to risk main phone for comms.
Looked in app store and decided to give this app a try (had another ph to hand for testing)

This app allows you to dynamically create mobile number for you and all calls to that number will be forwarded to your main phone. The good part is - if you disable notifications for this app - you will get call only if app is active. Same applies to text messages received for virtual number. If notifications for app are disabled then you only get messages on actually opening the app.

To make call or sending text you have to open app again and select the virtual number as active (it lists your main ph as option so be careful that it’s not the one selected)

One more precaution - after any calls made/received using the app just make sure your call history on actual call log is cleared.

So for me that day it worked really well and then i went back to app and deleted the virtual number. For extra precaution you can of course delete the app itself and redownload whenever needed. That is foolproof way of avoiding unintended calls.

Though word of caution- app is paid, call credit is iap so your apple account will show these transactions- so if you share your apple account with someone better avoid this appriach

[magnumchris]

One more reason, apps like TrueCaller are creating databases of phone numbers and names and your real, full, name might show up when you call a girl even if you have never called her before.

[GreyDave]

  FFS some of you lot think your compiling the doomsday book on prossie`s on yer phones

That's what UK Puntings for!!

Get a 10 quid chuck away only use 10quid vouchers don't register it Delete all messages calls ect after punt on day keep phone empty and in motor not easy to find place " oh that was for emergency's love I don't think its even charged try it" is what I`ve said went pulled on it I knew theonly message was credit low one

[johnsheppard99]

I must admit ive thankfully never had a problem with using my main personal number for contacting girls. Ive not got a girlfriend to worry about seeing something, but 9 out of 10 times its like trying to get blood out of a stone to get them to reply to me, so even rarer that a wg messages me first.

I did used to have a second phone/number, but last year I bought a new phone off ebay, did a sim transfer to the new size sim card, then a few weeks later the phone was blocked as stolen. Typical. Not been bothered about getting another phone that the sim might work in, and couldn't be bothered to do a sim swap back to the old one, so just use my main one for everything.

[edmay]

I use my personal phone. If another found was found I'd be screwed. I use gosms app that allows you to hide conversations. After aconversation is hidden any messages from that number go into the hidden folder.  There's swipe sequence to open the hidden folder. All alerts come up as 'tips' with no content.

I also use a separate browser on all machines i use and always use the discrete/ incognito setting. The internet browser from Samsung also allows this the private browsing to be locked with fingerprint or password. I use finger print so no one is getting in. It lets you keep favourites hidden too. Although ionly evet do this temporarily just in case.

I Also use an app called onoff. It's the same sort of deal already mentioned. Alternative number uses internet to sms and phone.  I only use this with new wgs. Once I've established a good relationship and know they are discrete i switch to my own number in discrete mode. This app also lets you hide the alternate number with a swipe and pin prompt so when you own the app it looks like it's never been used.

Always move new sms to hidden, awards delete phone call logs straight away.

One thing people don't often know about is the clip board on some phones stores every copy you ever make.  I came across this by accident. Doesn't matter what app or browser mode you're in.  Whatever you copied is plain to see.

So delete your clip board!

It's complicated but definitely easier for me to hide and protect than an actual phone.

Happy punting and stay safe