Why the need for punting phones?

[Metalgear2018]

I use my mobile phone to book and arrange punts. If something is up I just block the contact. I have my messages notifications set on my phone not to display on the home screen. I make the habit of keeping my phone face down when at home. My phone is connected to my Samsung smart watch so I can cancel an incoming call while my phone is on charge. Also,  when I search AW on my phone is set the browser to incognito.

Surely if you have two phones the wife/girlfriend/boyfriend will challenge you?

[daviemac]

I use my mobile phone to book and arrange punts. If something is up I just block the contact. I have my messages notifications set on my phone not to display on the home screen. I make the habit of keeping my phone face down when at home. My phone is connected to my Samsung smart watch so I can cancel an incoming call while my phone is on charge. Also,  when I search AW on my phone is set the browser to incognito.

Surely if you have two phones the wife/girlfriend/boyfriend will challenge you?

Reasonable reason here - https://www.ukpunting.com/index.php?topic=247591.0

[Metalgear2018]

Reasonable reason here - https://www.ukpunting.com/index.php?topic=247591.0

I read that post and I questioned it. Surely FB would be set to private if you need to cover your tracks?

[Ipman1973]

https://www.ukpunting.com/index.php?topic=243277.msg2489087#msg2489087

Facebook suggested new friends to me by proximity I believe,  as in several Thai ladies I only new by their work name were outed by their actual names and crucially full face profiles. !!! No problem but did make me aware disabling internet on my phone .

[Hugger-Mugger]

I use my mobile phone to book and arrange punts. If something is up I just block the contact. I have my messages notifications set on my phone not to display on the home screen. I make the habit of keeping my phone face down when at home. My phone is connected to my Samsung smart watch so I can cancel an incoming call while my phone is on charge. Also,  when I search AW on my phone is set the browser to incognito.

Surely if you have two phones the wife/girlfriend/boyfriend will challenge you?

OK. Some WG has your number and texts you or calls you out of the blue. So you block the number. That doesn't stop her or her pimp calling you from some other numbers: Hit you with lots of provocative texts, google your number and spot some long forgotten ad you posted. Risky.

Having and explaining away a 'spare phone' is very easy. I keep mine in the car and it's just an old one that SWMBO is used to seeing lying around. Of course it's pin locked and spends most of is time turned off or in airplane mode. Frequently checked for texts and missed calls and the only items to be ever found in the logs are explicable. Nothing stored in contacts. Only ever charged in the car and then removed from sight. No smart features.

[RedKettle]

I use my mobile phone to book and arrange punts. If something is up I just block the contact. I have my messages notifications set on my phone not to display on the home screen. I make the habit of keeping my phone face down when at home. My phone is connected to my Samsung smart watch so I can cancel an incoming call while my phone is on charge. Also,  when I search AW on my phone is set the browser to incognito.

Surely if you have two phones the wife/girlfriend/boyfriend will challenge you?

Loads of threads on this.  Try search on here.

View of many very experienced punters - some of whom have had nasty experiences.

[daviemac]

I read that post and I questioned it. Surely FB would be set to private if you need to cover your tracks?

You asked why the need for a punting phone, whether that thread is genuine or not, blackmail is just on of the many reasons to use one.

As with anything in this game, we make our own choices, if you don't feel the need to have a punting phone then carry on with your normal one.   

[Waterhouse]

You asked why the need for a punting phone, whether that thread is genuine or not, blackmail is just on of the many reasons to use one.

As with anything in this game, we make our own choices, if you don't feel the need to have a punting phone then carry on with your normal one.   

Exactly.

I had a spare 3100 that I used to use as a PAYG p.phone a while back, but as of last year I don't bother with it any longer and it got resigned to a bag of old-school Nokias that lives in the shed.  Just use my regular phone and number now.

[hungrypunt]

best option if you insist on using your own blower is to make use of the secure folder (android, used to be called knox which basically is a phone in a phone. Set up a new whatsapp, facebook, insta and hushed in that.

Much safer than erm, "keeping my phone upside down when at home"

[Anadin]

You really want to keep the two worlds separate. Even blokes like me who have little to lose if ever exposed would rather not have the hassle and it's surprisingly easy to make a mistake and expose yourself to difficult situations that were easily avoided. That being said I top up my punting phone with a credit card and use a sim I ordered online, I'm not trying to hide from the authorities just any dodgy escort or pimp.

best option if you insist on using your own blower is to make use of the secure folder (android, used to be called knox which basically is a phone in a phone. Set up a new whatsapp, facebook, insta and hushed in that.

If I remember correctly Knox is only on Samsung phones that haven't been rooted.

[heathen666]

I use secure folder on my s8+. All notifications are turned off on that folder. I only Hushed for a number and WhatsApp for messaging. Obviously you can add whatever apps you like.

[Jayf]

I use the text me app. Gives you a different phone number on your own phone. Saves any excuses for having 2 phones. 

[theoldmaggot]

I don't wish to be blackmailed

Although I may or may not have nothing to lose. I rather not have the hassle of dealing with it in the future should the situation ever arises.



Would you tell your mates you punt? What would they think?

[Hobbit]

I don't wish to be blackmailed

Although I may or may not have nothing to lose. I rather not have the hassle of dealing with it in the future should the situation ever arises.



Would you tell your mates you punt? What would they think?

Why would you want to do that? The best thing to do is not to tell anyone. If you feel the urge to talk about it then write some reviews and stay active on the forum, that's why we here, to hold your hand when you need it.

[BogBog1]

I use secure folder on my s8+. All notifications are turned off on that folder. I only Hushed for a number and WhatsApp for messaging. Obviously you can add whatever apps you like.

I do exactly this. To me, making use of the Samsung 'phone within a phone' is a safer option than trying to hide and potentially explain a second phone. I never use my 'real' number (Hushed is great for that), all relevant apps are in the secure folder, secure folder is pin-protected, notifications are all switched off. And I'm not on Facebook so zero chance of being found that way either.

[theoldmaggot]

Why would you want to do that? The best thing to do is not to tell anyone. If you feel the urge to talk about it then write some reviews and stay active on the forum, that's why we here, to hold your hand when you need it.

So why would people only have one phone - (linked with facebook, whatsapp, instagram, fitness apps and how many other hundreds of different apps that connect to your contact list).


Doesn't make sense to me. 

[freeze44]

The idea of the text me app is interesting to save having 2 phones but for me having 2 phones keeps punting separate from home/work/friends and family so just keep the punting phone hidden away till needed and have a very simple text/call only one thats turned off when not in use.

To me it's less of a risk than using my main number and without wanting to be paranoid think be easy to forget to block/un-link/hide numbers and always the real risk of my main mobile number getting me outed.

[earlgreyman]

I use my mobile phone to book and arrange punts. If something is up I just block the contact. I have my messages notifications set on my phone not to display on the home screen. I make the habit of keeping my phone face down when at home. My phone is connected to my Samsung smart watch so I can cancel an incoming call while my phone is on charge. Also,  when I search AW on my phone is set the browser to incognito.

Surely if you have two phones the wife/girlfriend/boyfriend will challenge you?

This is very naive thinking. Social media and chat apps all have been guilty of tracking phone numbers even when you don't explicitly add your mobile to your fb/twitter profile - they still do unsolicited 'recommended' contacts. On top of your IP address, your phone number is basically your personal ID number that links everything together.

I've been dumb in the past where i've nonchalantly used my main phone whilst being single and punting freely. Then months later getting some random fishing text from a WG (or pimp). Lucky was never caught out but have had close calls whilst being in company, but it showed me how easy it would be to get caught even when you're not doing anything wrong in the moment.

A couple of years back, I was chatting privately to fellow punters via email - trading recommendations, etc. Soon after linkedin sent me an invite from one of the guy's LinkedIn accounts, showing me his real name and profile.  Silly of him to use the same email address for punting talk with strangers and linkedin. Maybe he didn't care, but it's the sole reason why I use a separate punting phone and email address.

[BogBog1]

This is very naive thinking. Social media and chat apps all have been guilty of tracking phone numbers even when you don't explicitly add your mobile to your fb/twitter profile - they still do unsolicited 'recommended' contacts. On top of your IP address, your phone number is basically your personal ID number that links everything together.

I've been dumb in the past where i've nonchalantly used my main phone whilst being single and punting freely. Then months later getting some random fishing text from a WG (or pimp). Lucky was never caught out but have had close calls whilst being in company, but it showed me how easy it would be to get caught even when you're not doing anything wrong in the moment.

A couple of years back, I was chatting privately to fellow punters via email - trading recommendations, etc. Soon after linkedin sent me an invite from one of the guy's LinkedIn accounts, showing me his real name and profile.  Silly of him to use the same email address for punting talk with strangers and linkedin. Maybe he didn't care, but it's the sole reason why I use a separate punting phone and email address.

I agree with all this - precisely the reason why the Hushed app (giving you a second, totally anonymous phone number) is the way to go.

[diomhair72]

I keep mine with the spare tyre in the car, wouldn't dream of using my own phone for punting, and I'm recently single  an just don't  give put my number to every time dick or Harry so I end up get cold calls from. scammers -seriously get some savvy

[earlgreyman]

I agree with all this - precisely the reason why the Hushed app (giving you a second, totally anonymous phone number) is the way to go.

Hushed app sounds really handy, but is it expensive to run in the UK seeing as it's a U.S/Canada based subscription?

[BogBog1]

Hushed app sounds really handy, but is it expensive to run in the UK seeing as it's a U.S/Canada based subscription?

I don't punt that often these days (I tend to use Seeking Arrangement more) - either way though, I just download a hushed number when I need it, it costs a few quid for 7 days before expiring (there are options to have it for longer but I don't need it). So OK, it makes a £70 punt cost £75, or a £200 Seeking Arrangement date cost £205. Worth the cost to minimise all risk of them finding out my real number and opening myself up to blackmail risks. The other thing is that once you're in touch with someone on Whatsapp, that carries on working even when the Hushed number has expired. So my trick is to get as many numbers onto Whatsapp as possible. 

[Gordon Bennett]

If you are an infrequent user of your mobile phone and don't use social media (ie you are a heterosexual man born before 1970) you probably can, with some basic care and common sense, cheerfully use your main phone for punting purposes. In all other circumstances it's probably best to use a separate punting phone.

[Waterhouse]

If you are an infrequent user of your mobile phone and don't use social media (ie you are a heterosexual man born before 1970) you probably can, with some basic care and common sense, cheerfully use your main phone for punting purposes. In all other circumstances it's probably best to use a separate punting phone.

 

[tidytuz]

Taking your everyday phone to a punt is a risk if you haven't got a car to leave it in when you get there....might get robbed / stolen.

[Home Alone]

If you are an infrequent user of your mobile phone and don't use social media (ie you are a heterosexual man born before 1970 and without an OH.) you probably can, with some basic care and common sense, cheerfully use your main phone for punting purposes. In all other circumstances it's probably best to use a separate punting phone.

Would you accept that as an acceptable amendment, Gordon?

[Taggart]

I keep mine with the spare tyre in the car, wouldn't dream of using my own phone for punting, and I'm recently single  an just don't  give put my number to every time dick or Harry so I end up get cold calls from. scammers -seriously get some savvy

Hmmmm. I used to keep deodorant, clean pants and condoms under the spare wheel and came over rather sick one day when OH was in the car alone and called to say she had a flat tyre. I was 200 miles away FFS...took a long while for her suspicions to subside. Since then, phone etc all separate, no email no Whats app no Facebook, passwords for AW, Mobile top up etc committed to memory.

[threechilliman]

If you are an infrequent user of your mobile phone and don't use social media (ie you are a heterosexual man born before 1970)

 

Funny as fuck is that.

[tynetunnel]

If you are an infrequent user of your mobile phone and don't use social media (ie you are a heterosexual man born before 1970) you probably can, with some basic care and common sense, cheerfully use your main phone for punting purposes. In all other circumstances it's probably best to use a separate punting phone.

Thats me! All notifications off, Face ID to unlock phone and WhatsApp is Face ID enabled also. Don’t use any social media. Don’t let the wife track me. Block everyone I don’t want to hear from.

[Adoniron]

I have a punting phone which lives in my desk at work. It is used only for punting and only has WGs numbers in it and has no emails, what's app or social media on it.

[Payyourwaymate]

If you are an infrequent user of your mobile phone and don't use social media (ie you are a heterosexual man born before 1970) you probably can, with some basic care and common sense, cheerfully use your main phone for punting purposes. In all other circumstances it's probably best to use a separate punting phone.

I do not have social media and was born way after 1970. I'm offended 

[brandonpete]

I've punted for over 30 yrs and it was only when I joined this site and read about punting burner phones and using an old Nokia 3310 for that,that actually my punting life became easier to organise.   Select several Sp's,put numbers in phone,ring said No's get details and postcode,edit them against number..etc etc etc...and as regards taking things into a punt...the only thing I take is my car key..key not keys,no phone,no nothing....and of course Mr Troll the Fee.

[earlgreyman]

I don't punt that often these days (I tend to use Seeking Arrangement more) - either way though, I just download a hushed number when I need it, it costs a few quid for 7 days before expiring (there are options to have it for longer but I don't need it). So OK, it makes a £70 punt cost £75, or a £200 Seeking Arrangement date cost £205. Worth the cost to minimise all risk of them finding out my real number and opening myself up to blackmail risks. The other thing is that once you're in touch with someone on Whatsapp, that carries on working even when the Hushed number has expired. So my trick is to get as many numbers onto Whatsapp as possible.

Thanks for the info! Sounds very reasonable, especially considering you can burn numbers as much as you want. Will check it out.

[BogBog1]

I have a punting phone which lives in my desk at work. It is used only for punting and only has WGs numbers in it and has no emails, what's app or social media on it.

This is a perfectly safe solution for those who would never need to use their punting phone at home. Unfortunately not an option for me though, as I work from a home office!

[Foxtail17]

I used an old smartphone for punting until last year. Then got a simple Nokia dumb phone. When I was clearing out some stuff earlier this year I found the phone, switched it on ready to wipe it. On Messenger I found a pic and full real name of a WG I had seen. The phone had no link to my real identity but it was obviously linked to her phone. If it does it to a punting smartphone, it can do it to any smart phone.

[Derrick101]

I have a punting phone which lives in my desk at work. It is used only for punting and only has WGs numbers in it and has no emails, what's app or social media on it.

Same here. An old out of contract Sony 

[smiths]

I use my mobile phone to book and arrange punts. If something is up I just block the contact. I have my messages notifications set on my phone not to display on the home screen. I make the habit of keeping my phone face down when at home. My phone is connected to my Samsung smart watch so I can cancel an incoming call while my phone is on charge. Also,  when I search AW on my phone is set the browser to incognito.

Surely if you have two phones the wife/girlfriend/boyfriend will challenge you?

Not if you are smart. Plus you don't have to have a separate phone, another sim or dual sim is fine as long as you always remember to change sims over.

My partner wouldn't challenge me anyway on having 2 phones but she doesn't see my punting phone so its not a scenario that is going to occur, all about being organised in my view and I have been lying and cheating on my partner for years so ensure I don't get caught out.

[Gordon Bennett]

Would you accept that as an acceptable amendment, Gordon?

Fair enough... Really depends on the individual and how deeply they understand how their phone works and how you can manage notifications/calls/messages to suit a variety of scenarios.

[wheeliebinwanking]

I have a punting phone but as has been said I am now meeting girls from Seeking and Tinder for that SD/SB thang...

However I don't actually use my punting phone anymore. It was an old android knocking about with secure six digit pin etc. Since using SECURE FOLDER I have migrated my WhatsApp and all that jazz across to my main phone.

As  has been said, you need to customise Secure Folder notifications as you can easily be rumbled if you use it out of the box. But this has been perfect for me and actually allowed me to maintain BETTER contact with the girls I am seeing. I get hushed but for me I use WHatsApp 90% of the time if I needed to make a call I use WHatsApp too. If I was seeing WG's I'd need to use text/voice a  bit more

WBW

[Watts.E.Dunn]

One thing that you all may be overlooking is that you have to take a phone with you as when you get to her postcode area you then normally phone up say i'm here, then she will give you the house/flat number. So unless your parked very close by, never a good idea, you have to take the phone into her place with you.

Now if alls well then fine and I get into the habit of checking I have my car key, just the key nothing else on that ring, and my phone.

Now what if its a bait and switch and you walk what if your drop the phone what if its a very adverse situation where you have toi do a runner what if its such a good punt your big brain has been mesmerised by litle 'ole brain, and your phone has slipped out of your pocket it can just as easliy slide out and gone under the bed.

So now your outside her flat ringing her doorbell whilst shes in the shower or maybe you've only just noticed it go when your back to the car? Shes now with another punter. So it may be quite some time before you can get to her place and you can't now phone her. Lets hope it isnt the missus phoning her either:(

It once happened to me an I had a bit of a job getting the phone bak this was only a cheap Nookia phone I can get them for what 10 quid odd at Tescos?

And its a totaly anonomous paid cash for the phone, cash for the top ups, totally untracable and I remember to flush out any numbers and texts when the punt is over and it does live in the car its the backup phone in case of need if the other one devlops a fault or has a flattened battery etc Worked fine like that for years:)

[Thecunninglinguist]

Months or even years down the line something happens to the SP and the police begin an investigation. Obviously nothing to do with you but they WILL go through her phone records and if you use your normal phone you will probably find a couple of officers at your door one evening, just as you are settling down with the wife and kids. Maybe even your MIL has come to visit.
Enough reason to get a burner phone with no connection to you. Oh! and don't access your home internet on it for the same reason.

[wheeliebinwanking]

Months or even years down the line something happens to the SP and the police begin an investigation. Obviously nothing to do with you but they WILL go through her phone records and if you use your normal phone you will probably find a couple of officers at your door one evening, just as you are settling down with the wife and kids. Maybe even your MIL has come to visit.
Enough reason to get a burner phone with no connection to you. Oh! and don't access your home internet on it for the same reason.

Totally agree. The home Internet bit is harder but I have a mifi device setup but I'm sure the authorities could figure out where it sits for 90 percent of the time... Main issue is social media. Definitely need that separation

WBW

[Landscape]

I now use a punting phone after what happened to me last year.

Left a negative review on a service provider and was threatened with being outed to my work and the DWP if I didn't remove the review. The only information she had was my phone number so how that information was obtained from that I don't know. Thankfully a couple of very helpful people advised me what to do next and the problem went away.

Now I use an old phone with a PAYG SIM. You can't afford to take any chances with this hobby, always punt safe, folks.

[dobob]

If you are an infrequent user of your mobile phone and don't use social media (ie you are a heterosexual man born before 1970) you probably can, with some basic care and common sense, cheerfully use your main phone for punting purposes. In all other circumstances it's probably best to use a separate punting phone.

I am a heterosexual man born before 1970 and I think you are an uninformed and opinionated arsehole.

[wheeliebinwanking]

I am a heterosexual man born before 1970 and I think you are an uninformed and opinionated arsehole.

To even suggest using your main phone for punting is just madness

[stampjones]

I don't punt that often these days (I tend to use Seeking Arrangement more) - either way though, I just download a hushed number when I need it, it costs a few quid for 7 days before expiring (there are options to have it for longer but I don't need it). So OK, it makes a £70 punt cost £75, or a £200 Seeking Arrangement date cost £205. Worth the cost to minimise all risk of them finding out my real number and opening myself up to blackmail risks. The other thing is that once you're in touch with someone on Whatsapp, that carries on working even when the Hushed number has expired. So my trick is to get as many numbers onto Whatsapp as possible.

Thats good info zakk, thanks. I wonder if you could just get a hushed number then always use that for whatsapp. Im pretty sure it doesnt actually use the phone number after you initially join up!

[dobob]

To even suggest using your main phone for punting is just madness

Did you even consider the point of my post which was about stupid ageist remarks? Please read and think before you chip in to any thread with a dumbo "me too" reply.

Yawn!

[rhub9]

One reason to use a different number is for the spam!

One provider has been setting up WhatsApp group(!!!) chats with their customer list... 

Screenshots attached, with identifying numbers removed.

Summary: around 150+ punting numbers have been outed to each other. The group chats have been quite entertaining though, but I'd be livid if I'd used my real number!

Stay safe.




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[rockharders]

Do you value your anonymity?
They can find your whatsapp profile, and by clever use of social media, FB the real you and photos etc.

Always better to keep your private phone number private.
Use a throwaway simcard and number, there's nothing to worry about.

[GreyDave]

I am a heterosexual man born before 1970 and I think you are an uninformed and opinionated arsehole.

Like this bit so I open up my comment with it

I `ve had several Punting Burner phones which as I work on sites I change every now and again sim/phone they cost 20 quid and are mostly shite brick things which OH knows are work tools and that any thing on them is a, not her fucking business b, usally of no comprehession to either her or me  postcodes of jobs messages of where are you / can you be 1/2 later /see you at number 45 and other shite....I had a genuine wrong number from a guy who was running a food truck who left 6 messages starting calm then anger trying to find out where his cash float was stashed (poor sod ) I replayed this to OH and said this is the sort of crap I get all day plus the accident chasing firms ...

GET A BURNER / PUNTING PHONE .....I am convinced they are a major contribution to the best punting pracisties and peace of mind in th UK today