[GLLUG] [OT] Adding Cell Phone Minutes

[Clay Dowling]

MetroPCS uses a similar scheme.  It's almost certainly a tracphone though.

Clay

On Thu, 5 Feb 2009, Charles wrote:

> Chick Tower wrote:
>> Someone on Craig's List advertised a cell phone for free.  It's one of
>> those like you can buy at WalMart and buy additional minutes for.  Do
>> any of you know if just anyone can take such a phone purchased by
>> someone else, add minutes to it, and use it?
>
> If it's a Tracfone:
>
> Yes, you can technically just take the phone and add minutes to it. If
> the activation period has expired, you'll have to re-activate it but
> that's not a big deal. (Can be done online or over another phone.)
>
> The biggest caveat is that the first person who activated the phone very
> likely had to submit their name, address, etc to the carrier. (A
> homeland security measure, probably.) That means their info is tied to
> that phone until you can convince the carrier otherwise. You also get
> their old phone number unless you call up their support center to change it.
>
> If it's not a Tracfone:
>
> I'm not familiar with any other prepaid phones. :(
>
> (P.S. I'm not endorsing Tracfone in any way, it's just what I happen to
> use. They're really just about as bad as any other cell carrier.)
>
> Charles
>