Use a VIRTUAL Phone Number to Be Anonymous (and stop SPAM)

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Video Timestamps
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0:00 - Introduction
0:57 - Purchase a Second Private Phone Number
1:33 - Keep Your Phone Number
2:24 - Porting
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We all receive telemarketing calls from time to time, even after requesting that your phone number be added to their "do not call" list. In my video, I'll explain two secure strategies that will eliminate unwanted calls to your personal phone number so that your private information is kept private again.

[jc-pxox]

At this point, I'm not even sure if your name is actually Josh.

[macbitz]

Great advice. I kept my old work phone and that's the number I give out, with my personal phone being reserved for family and trusted friends. One thing about spam calls (certainly in the UK, I don't know about the US/Canada) is that some companies use robo-dialers that work through ranges of numbers sequentially. This means that even with a phone number you've never given out, you can still get the odd spam call because the dialer simply starts with a number, tries it, increments the number by 1 and tries again. Useful to know that the Hushed service you recommended has a plan for UK mobile numbers.

[suicicada]

Me an introvert: I don't answer any calls >:)

[buster.keaton]

I think this is a no-win situation. If you create a private number for friends and family, the first thing they'll do is put your number in their address book and now your "private" number is in the hands of Google, Apple, etc.

[AllThingsSecured]

Comment below to share how many phone numbers you have. Me? I have 4. Also, feel free to share any other alternatives you're aware of that weren't mentioned in this video. Here's what I've used:

[copierofvideos]

Another great video Josh! Man it is so great to know stuff like this exists. I have been using the same number for Years because I want to keep it, but I deal with all this spam because of that. You've opened my mind to a solution to this problem. Thank you!

[MysticMylesZ]

Everything I use now is *HEAVILY* tied to me and has data is who knows how many data bases... and I've been a part of 3 data breaches that I know of.

I intend to start having a "new identity" I use online, before getting rid of all the info I can on my old accounts numbers, etc.

I'm starting with my phone number.
I'm getting a new one and looking for ways to give it out as little as possible.

The ability to give some sort of virtual number to services like Facebook, that I can shut down and still have my real number would be lovely.

Things like that.

From there I'll use privacy focused emails like Protonmail, Tutanota etc.

[roseforeuropa]

How about give us a update: Compare the various virtual phone number services and rate them.

[catalindeluxus]

Yeah, I live in Canada. Our telecoms are a joke, our regulatory body is in the telecom industry's pockets, and none of these alternatives come easy here. 1 gb of data costs like $20, so talking over the Internet is a no-no. 😒

[henryfredette]

If you are worried about privacy, why on Earth would you use Google (Voice) for

[aperson]

not guaranteed to work with 3rd party verification services

[marioStortuga]

Godard has o e called smartline. I have that gv and hushed. I ported my cell number last year it was pita but got it done and I got assigned a new number. 😁
Only my family has my direct cell number that's it.
Great video

[Mr_Sus]

POV: searches how to get virtual number, see indian recommending an app, remembers there is a goat "All things secure" My man got you covered on everything!!!

[Mar]

Great video! When text 2FA is the only option by a provider. Do you give out the private or real number?

[cryptosig]

I’d like to see a video about business phone numbers. I have my own video production business and when I receive a phone call I need to pick up because it could be a potential client on the other end. 90% of the time it ends up being a robo call. That’s the difficult thing tho about having a business is I need to put some exposure out there in order to get phone calls. Usually my calls are through referrals tho so maybe that solves half the problem

[johannesKeppler]

I bought a second number and now my wife thinks I have a mistress who I call with using the second number.

[MysticMylesZ]

2:05 😅 and hope they don't put it in their Google calendar under your name 😅

[electropocalypse]

I'm late to the party! Great info. I'm little confused though. To use a cell number (with normal functionality/notifications) in a service like Hushed, I'm required to contact my cell provider and request to port it? Does this mean that they would remove the call services but allow me to keep the number to use through another service? It seems I can't start a tab without a cell number, perhaps making things a bit difficult for what I'm aiming for given my budget. In this case to start a tab (data plan with unlimited calling mandatory), my only option might be call forwarding. What are your thoughts? I broke my last phone regrettably. 😅
Thanks so much for the video! 🙂

[owelz]

The problem with the apps you mentioned is that they collect to much personal data if you look in appstore privacy section. I was trying to find something more private but couldn’t and I just didn’t download anything.

[phrobish]

Land Lines have a Physical Address associated with the number for Police to respond. Cell Numbers have to be GPS located and are not as accurate.
This is for Emergency call to Police, Fire, or EMS.