Scam calls are one of the most frustrating and annoying things anyone could experience. The rise of technology has made it easier for scammers to contact people, pretending to be someone they are not and defrauding them. The National Consumers League reported that in 2020, Americans lost around $1.9 billion to fraudulent calls, a 50% increase from the previous year.
While there are ways to block or report suspicious numbers, adding another number to your phone may be your best defense. This article will discuss how adding another number to your phone can help you avoid annoying scam calls for just $25.
What is a secondary phone number?
A secondary phone number is an additional phone number that you can add to your existing phone to separate your work or business calls from personal ones. It’s also known as a virtual phone number, as it’s not tied to a physical SIM card or device, but rather a cloud-based service.
The secondary phone number can be used for various purposes, including for job hunting, dating apps, freelance work, and online purchases, among others. When you give out your secondary phone number, the calls and texts will be routed to your primary phone number, and you can choose to answer them or not.
How using a secondary phone number can help you avoid scammers?
Scammers can obtain your phone number in many ways, including from data breaches, online directories, and phishing scams. Once they have your phone number, they can use it to call or text you, pretending to be someone else and lure you into giving out your personal information or money.
By using a secondary phone number, you can help protect your primary phone number from getting into the hands of scammers. By giving out your secondary number instead, it will create a hurdle for scammers, as they will have to guess which of the numbers is your primary one.
Furthermore, when you get a call or text on your secondary phone number, and it’s from an unknown number, you will be more cautious and wary of it, as it’s not your primary number. This extra level of caution can help you avoid falling for phishing scams or giving out personal information to scammers.
How to get a secondary phone number for just $25?
Acquiring a secondary phone number used to be a hassle not too long ago. You would have to have a second SIM card or a separate device. However, that has changed with the introduction of online phone number services.
There are various online phone number services available, such as Google Voice and Burner, that allow you to get a secondary phone number for a small fee or free. In this article, we will focus on using Burner, as it’s affordable, easy to use, and available both on iOS and Android devices.
To get a Burner number, follow these simple steps:
1. Download the Burner app from the App Store or Google Play store on your smartphone.
2. Open the app and sign up for an account using your email address and password.
3. Choose your area code and select your preferred Burner number from the available options.
4. Next, you can select the subscription plan that works for you. Burner offers two plans: a one-line plan and a three-line plan, both priced at $4.99 and $14.99 per month, respectively.
5. After selecting your preferred plan, you can start using your new secondary phone number immediately.
In conclusion, adding a secondary phone number to your smartphone can help you avoid annoying scam calls and protect your primary number from getting into the hands of scammers. A service like Burner makes it quick, easy, and affordable to get a secondary phone number, starting at just $25 per year. So, the next time you’re hesitant to give your phone number out or receive a suspicious call, consider using a secondary phone number to keep yourself and your information secure.