Punting phone. Yes or no?

[Thepunteruk]

Do you use (a separate) one?

The pros are it is off, hidden, and any unwanted texts are only received when turned on. Cons, if it's found how do you explain it's presence?

Second SIM card you use on your main phone and then hide? Pros, no old or second handset to be discovered. Cons, remembering to delete absolutely everything you do with it.

App that gives you a random number to use? Never done it, so can't comment on P & C's. I'd imagine the same as second SIM card. What's your experience and thoughts?

[tiny]

Always use one. make sure i delete everything as well.

[Glesgaboy]

+1

There’s a lot about the options on the main discussion forum. Worth a wee search as it’s quite helpful. 

[Boinky]

I'm single, many would say I don't need one.

Still do though. It's just common sense. It's an old phone with a PAYG sim bought for cash. If I lose it or leave it behind it's of no consequence and it can't be traced to me or any social media accounts as there's nothing on it but WG's numbers and texts which get deleted when I remember.

[Jayf]

There's an app called text me.  That's what I use. Gives you a different UK number to text and call from. Best way to build up credit on the app is text yourself from your own number to the app number. Builds up loads of credit

[big-al93]

I'm single, many would say I don't need one.

Still do though. It's just common sense. It's an old phone with a PAYG sim bought for cash. If I lose it or leave it behind it's of no consequence and it can't be traced to me or any social media accounts as there's nothing on it but WG's numbers and texts which get deleted when I remember.

+1. Old smart(ish) phone as I tried a really old nokia that I'm all nostalgic about, but now hate texting on. All GPS wifi and mobile data switched off.

[stupat78]

I never used to have a separate phone but do now. Just got a cheap alcatel smart phone on PAYG, does WhatsApp etc. My old phone was a dual sim but a couple of times I responded to texts from the wrong number so opted for a cheap punting phone.

[fisherofsouls]

Punting phone ? Hell, yes !!!

£20 job from Tesco, £10 top-up, which Tesco kindly adds £20 to for free.  Burn through the £30 and chuck the phone.  No need to damage it and/or the SIM, just leave on a bench or wall somewhere with lots of people going through - it will be gone in 60 seconds.

I average about one phone every 6-8 weeks, it's a tiny price to pay compared to £120 for a punt, and it totally isolates your real life from your punting life ("totally" as in from crims & general lowlifes of course, not LE...)

As I walk away from the old phone, the following questions occur:

Did some twat from the Dominican Republic send me a threatening vid ?  No idea, couldn't care less
Did some slapper text me at 3am offering bareback for free ? No idea, couldn't care less
Did some self-righteous tart add my number to Uglymugs cos I left her a negative review ?  No idea, couldn't care less

You get the point...
 
If I get to know a girl and there is a modicum of trust, I have an old smartphone with WA & Telegram loaded and I move the convo onto that.  But sadly I've not added anyone to that phone's contacts for a while

[henry brubaker]

Punting phone ? Hell, yes !!!

£20 job from Tesco, £10 top-up, which Tesco kindly adds £20 to for free.  Burn through the £30 and chuck the phone.  No need to damage it and/or the SIM, just leave on a bench or wall somewhere with lots of people going through - it will be gone in 60 seconds.

I average about one phone every 6-8 weeks, it's a tiny price to pay compared to £120 for a punt, and it totally isolates your real life from your punting life ("totally" as in from crims & general lowlifes of course, not LE...)

As I walk away from the old phone, the following questions occur:

Did some twat from the Dominican Republic send me a threatening vid ?  No idea, couldn't care less
Did some slapper text me at 3am offering bareback for free ? No idea, couldn't care less
Did some self-righteous tart add my number to Uglymugs cos I left her a negative review ?  No idea, couldn't care less

You get the point...
 
If I get to know a girl and there is a modicum of trust, I have an old smartphone with WA & Telegram loaded and I move the convo onto that.  But sadly I've not added anyone to that phone's contacts for a while

What a horrible waste. Stop being a total idiot and just replace the SIM if you really must.

[Cityfan1880]

What a horrible waste. Stop being a total idiot and just replace the SIM if you really must.

 

Guy thinks hes in a spy movie.

[henry brubaker]

Guy thinks hes in a spy movie.

Or Pablo Escobar

[johnscott10234]

I like a punting phone. Keeps everything separate!

[fisherofsouls]

Not sure the phone is going to waste if someone picks it up from a bench...

And I don't think it's particularly cloak and dagger tbh, it just means no need to clear down 100s of texts.  I never have and never would do an incall to my home, so there's no info on the phone to track back to me...

I would make a terrible spy anyway, I can barely remember my own name these days 

[Interestingchat]

Does anyone have any experience with dual sims? Most phones these days have an esim as well. Often wondered if that’s a solution but not sure how practical it is. But everything on the other sim on mute

[henry brubaker]

Honestly, that's your logic, that someone else will pick it up?

Who doesn't already have a phone these days? So whoever picks it up, where does their phone go? In a drawer, landfill site, or for electrical waste recycling; if you're lucky. That's assuming they'd really even use a £20 Tesco phone.

The waste is at point of sale. You.

If you want to do someone a favour, just drop your money in the street. Someone will pick that up eventually as well, and it'll be appreciated better than a shitty burner phone.

[henry brubaker]

Does anyone have any experience with dual sims? Most phones these days have an esim as well. Often wondered if that’s a solution but not sure how practical it is. But everything on the other sim on mute

I had one years ago. As mentioned above, making sure you don't text the wrong person, from the wrong SIM, isn't worth the hassle. The software behind it might be better now right enough.

[CGlasgow]

And I don't think it's particularly cloak and dagger tbh, it just means no need to clear down 100s of texts.

I mean is it that hard to just hit "delete"?

Hell triggering a factory reset takes all of about 2 minutes if you really want to wipe everything for whatever reason.

[The Monk]

I would yes get one for sure

[henry brubaker]

I'm pretty sure my first phone in the 90s had a delete all messages option.

[auldie63]

Honestly, that's your logic, that someone else will pick it up?

Who doesn't already have a phone these days? So whoever picks it up, where does their phone go? In a drawer, landfill site, or for electrical waste recycling; if you're lucky. That's assuming they'd really even use a £20 Tesco phone.

The waste is at point of sale. You.

If you want to do someone a favour, just drop your money in the street. Someone will pick that up eventually as well, and it'll be appreciated better than a shitty burner phone.

Sorry but have you ever punted, we are not talking your full time use all the time phone. but another phone. now this might be a £20 binnable item from Tesco or other supplier, an item which you cannot be traced from. Many different PAYGO options are available. the simplest being don't punt. 

[henry brubaker]

There's no need to throw away a phone when the credit runs out. It's moronic to claim otherwise.

[bluetable]

Really makes no sense at all not to have one. Either use an old phone with a PAYG SIM, or buy a cheap candy bar phone PAYG and use that.

I've put £20-ish into my punting SIM over the last several years.  That's a small price to pay for not giving my real number of ~20 years to some random woman who may or may not have a pimp and may or may not be mental.

[FBman78]

I use a cheap smartphone for this side of my life.  Never been caught out but was nearly caught recently.  It is an arse twitching moment but I keep the punting phone on silent. When the missus nearly caught me I quickly put it on lock and slid it under the car seat.  Got away with it somehow.

[Asian guy]

Punting phone ? Hell, yes !!!

£20 job from Tesco, £10 top-up, which Tesco kindly adds £20 to for free.  Burn through the £30 and chuck the phone.  No need to damage it and/or the SIM, just leave on a bench or wall somewhere with lots of people going through - it will be gone in 60 seconds.

I average about one phone every 6-8 weeks, it's a tiny price to pay compared to £120 for a punt, and it totally isolates your real life from your punting life ("totally" as in from crims & general lowlifes of course, not LE...)

As I walk away from the old phone, the following questions occur:

Did some twat from the Dominican Republic send me a threatening vid ?  No idea, couldn't care less
Did some slapper text me at 3am offering bareback for free ? No idea, couldn't care less
Did some self-righteous tart add my number to Uglymugs cos I left her a negative review ?  No idea, couldn't care less

You get the point...
 
If I get to know a girl and there is a modicum of trust, I have an old smartphone with WA & Telegram loaded and I move the convo onto that.  But sadly I've not added anyone to that phone's contacts for a while

I never have used a punting phone but I think I will from now on and use your advice. Thank you

[Monk277]

Punting phone ? Hell, yes !!!

£20 job from Tesco, £10 top-up, which Tesco kindly adds £20 to for free.  Burn through the £30 and chuck the phone.  No need to damage it and/or the SIM, just leave on a bench or wall somewhere with lots of people going through - it will be gone in 60 seconds.

I average about one phone every 6-8 weeks, it's a tiny price to pay compared to £120 for a punt, and it totally isolates your real life from your punting life ("totally" as in from crims & general lowlifes of course, not LE...)

As I walk away from the old phone, the following questions occur:

Did some twat from the Dominican Republic send me a threatening vid ?  No idea, couldn't care less
Did some slapper text me at 3am offering bareback for free ? No idea, couldn't care less
Did some self-righteous tart add my number to Uglymugs cos I left her a negative review ?  No idea, couldn't care less

You get the point...
 
If I get to know a girl and there is a modicum of trust, I have an old smartphone with WA & Telegram loaded and I move the convo onto that.  But sadly I've not added anyone to that phone's contacts for a while

I've just been out a picked up a phone after reading your post. Texting on a nokia is bloody hard work, but 100% safer. Thanks

[facialfan]

I recently upgraded my phone, so got a PAYG sim for the old one and set that up as my punting phone. 

Different ID/email/accounts for all my instant messenger apps, I can now store contact of those WG that I'm interested in.

The phone remains off or on airplane mode most of the time, and in a drawer with some other old phones/random techy devices.

The only amusing thing is that the number of my new SIM is a recycled number of someone who left to go to singapore, so I had to remove myself from all their old WhatsApp groups...

additionally, bluetooth is off, as is all the notifications/sounds/volume/vibration etc

[Massagetugga]

I recently upgraded my phone, so got a PAYG sim for the old one and set that up as my punting phone. 

Different ID/email/accounts for all my instant messenger apps, I can now store contact of those WG that I'm interested in.

The phone remains off or on airplane mode most of the time, and in a drawer with some other old phones/random techy devices.

The only amusing thing is that the number of my new SIM is a recycled number of someone who left to go to singapore, so I had to remove myself from all their old WhatsApp groups...

additionally, bluetooth is off, as is all the notifications/sounds/volume/vibration etc

For those of us who aren’t very tech savvy those are all reasons a cheap supermarket or Argos pay as you go basic phone is often best and safest. Downside is as mentioned that texting is a bit of a pain when we’re all generally used to typing on a smartphone nowadays.

[stupat78]

For those of us who aren’t very tech savvy those are all reasons a cheap supermarket or Argos pay as you go basic phone is often best and safest. Downside is as mentioned that texting is a bit of a pain when we’re all generally used to typing on a smartphone nowadays.

I got an Alcatel 1 smartphone, it's a very basic smartphone but it does whatsapp etc and only cost £35. Does the job and with a payg sim.

[Declan_C]

never really bothered with a punting phone but when i got a new one last year i decided to use the old one for them. what really changed my mind was because of the record the multi media apps keep on you .. like if you are logged in to Facebook and other apps it will keep a lpg of every place you have visited.. one day last year i checked the log on my Facebook locations and noted i had spent 1 hr in a certain place which i didnt recognise the address..when i clicked on it and the photo of the address showed on maps i remembered it was an escorts house and if you clicked on it and delved further you can get a list of all who visited that address and at what times they were there.. but most people already know about what the apps know about you..so know they knew who you were and your facebook account..and yes she was busy..so after this when i got new phone i just made sure i took my old to phone when visiting escorts..so all the apps know now is i spent an hour in a car park etc..
remember BIG BROTHER is watching you

[FBman78]

never really bothered with a punting phone but when i got a new one last year i decided to use the old one for them. what really changed my mind was because of the record the multi media apps keep on you .. like if you are logged in to Facebook and other apps it will keep a lpg of every place you have visited.. one day last year i checked the log on my Facebook locations and noted i had spent 1 hr in a certain place which i didnt recognise the address..when i clicked on it and the photo of the address showed on maps i remembered it was an escorts house and if you clicked on it and delved further you can get a list of all who visited that address and at what times they were there.. but most people already know about what the apps know about you..so know they knew who you were and your facebook account..and yes she was busy..so after this when i got new phone i just made sure i took my old to phone when visiting escorts..so all the apps know now is i spent an hour in a car park etc..
remember BIG BROTHER is watching you

Before you use a punting phone especially if it is an old one you should factory reset it, never access your personal social media from said punting phone either and if you want to keep off the radar turn off the location services.

[proton.punter]

There's an app called text me.  That's what I use. Gives you a different UK number to text and call from. Best way to build up credit on the app is text yourself from your own number to the app number. Builds up loads of credit

Just downloaded, looks interesting. Is there a cost to keep the phone number per month? Or just as long as it’s active. Any info welcome! 🙂

[markwin]

*Always* use a punting phone, *always* make it Tesco PAYG or similar,  *always* wipe it after use... and hide away, of course.

If discovered, "Oh, I found it on the pavement the other week and forgot about it, dear... should we give it to a charity or something?"

[2pops]

Download hushed from the App Store for about £2.00 it gives you a uk mobile number with more than enough calls and texts

[LostDrengr]

Ring4 is the app I use sometimes - you can buy credits to create a new number or pay a monthly fee to keep the same number, and best of all no ads on the app but it is shit at taking phone calls, no problems with text though. Punting phones make sense but I don’t bother as using one of these apps gives you the same security without the hassle of having to hide another phone/charger etc.

[Invernessroadie]

Just downloaded, looks interesting. Is there a cost to keep the phone number per month? Or just as long as it’s active. Any info welcome! 🙂

I also use that app. There’s no cost although you can pay to keep the number but I’ve never felt the need. You can burn the number too and get a new one but it doesn’t let you do it too often.
It can be a little bit buggy at times and calls eat the credits but not too bad and as mentioned you can just accumulate credits by texting it from your usual number .
 I get by fine using it all the time and just delete it off my phone when not in use and it works as before as soon as you download it again.
I once got given a number that must have previously been used by a SP as I was getting calls and messages at all times from punters about an ad in Liverpool haha but I soon got tired of that and burned the number.

[Bigwilts]

I also use that app. There’s no cost although you can pay to keep the number but I’ve never felt the need. You can burn the number too and get a new one but it doesn’t let you do it too often.
It can be a little bit buggy at times and calls eat the credits but not too bad and as mentioned you can just accumulate credits by texting it from your usual number .
 I get by fine using it all the time and just delete it off my phone when not in use and it works as before as soon as you download it again.
I once got given a number that must have previously been used by a SP as I was getting calls and messages at all times from punters about an ad in Liverpool haha but I soon got tired of that and burned the number.

I use TextMe and I stocked up on free credits by playing advertising videos
In the app go to the store menu, pick free, and then play the advertising videos.  I just picked up the phone, clicked play and put it down, then repeat
I stocked up plenty of credits and now just run a couple of videos in between uses to keep it topped up

You need data credit on your real phone account, and a connection to make the call. 
On a couple of occasions I’ve burned my number but then couldn’t choose a new free number, so it took a few goes at closing / reopening to be able to activate a new free number

The only true problem I had once was my new number must have been used by someone as a prank caller :
I set up a new number, made a booking and then needed the number to confirm I was nearby.
But I suddenly received calls and texts asking ‘who is this’ etc.  I was worried it was the new SP, or her boyfriend etc
Once I managed to confirm and get in the booking I cleared that number and created another one
From that I’ll recommend setting up a new number in advance before it’s actually needed, just in case you inherit a problem

Other than that it suits my needs
The only reals

[Belfastpunt69]

+1. Old smart(ish) phone as I tried a really old nokia that I'm all nostalgic about, but now hate texting on. All GPS wifi and mobile data switched off.

You do know the phone is still traceable even with all that switched off, signal still bounces off towers.

[henry brubaker]

I don't think anybody needs to worry about mobile phone cell towers giving up their location, while they are seeing an escort.

[big-al93]

You do know the phone is still traceable even with all that switched off, signal still bounces off towers.

This is about punting security not being untraceable by the police. Signals bouncing off towers can only be traced by the police (well actually the mobile phone company does it but only when asked by the police or security services), and even then only after getting warrants. Punting is not illegal and therfore this is not an issue unless you are planning some nefarious activity whilst using your punting phone. gps wifi ect being switched off is more about facebook and google location (loads of guys have found as escort suggested as someone they might know on facebook). I personally am not married but the gps being switched off prevents a nosy partner who may have found the phone using the gps log to work out where you've been and therfore  potentially who you've seen.

Also this would happen whether an old 2G phone or a modern smartphone. My point was more that texting on dumbphones once you are used to a qwerty keyboard feels so unnatural.