Ask HN: Is there a temp phone number like temp email?

2•piratesAndSons•2h ago

A service where you pay $5 per month, and in exchange, you get a temporary phone number to provide to websites and apps that require phone number verification. This helps cut down on spam, since many of these websites and apps resell your phone number immediately.

I don’t see why this would be illegal, since you still retain the identity of the subscriber.

Comments

JohnFen•2h ago

In the US, you can approximate this with a cheap prepaid service like a Tracfone.

piratesAndSons•2h ago

Don't get it? Can you explain further ?

JohnFen•2h ago

For about $20, you can buy a phone that comes with 10 minutes of talk time and has its own phone number. You can use that as a temp number. If you don't buy more time for that phone, the number will go away and you can then buy time for it and get a different number.

Or, what I do, is just keep it loaded with a minimal amount of minutes and use the same number for all such registration purposes.

I started doing this when I needed a whatsapp account, but didn't want to give facebook my phone number. I just keep that phone number alive, but never use it for anything else, and never even turn the phone on.

madamelic•28m ago

Sometimes won't work, especially larger sites.

I used to run a service that was using Twilio to do exactly what OP is asking. These sites often flag and block all phone numbers that are virtual or prepaid.

dabinat•2h ago

There are apps like Hushed where you can generate a working phone number for a pre-determined period of time.

Ar__Aj•2h ago

Yes, there are options for temporary phone numbers. Here are a few steps to consider:

1.Research Apps: Look into apps like Hushed, Burner, or Google Voice. They offer temporary numbers for various needs. 2.Check Features: Some apps let you choose how long you keep the number. Others may have limits on calls or texts. 3.Consider Costs: Many services charge a monthly fee. Compare prices and features to find the best fit for you. 4.Read Reviews: Look for user reviews to see how well the service works in real life. This can help you avoid problems. 5.Privacy Policy: Make sure to read the privacy policy. Understand how your data and phone number will be used. Using a temporary number can help protect your privacy. Just remember that some services may still require a real number for verification. If you want more details, I wrote about this here. Feedback is welcome!

ricardonunez•51m ago

I use google voice, and in the past other virtual phone numbers but many services don’t fully work. When you request a code, you never receive it and in some cases they tell you they don’t accept the virtual number.

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