An Inconvenient Phone or a Convenient Scam?

Reports are coming in that tax scammers are utilizing 'burner' phones, those Trac and Net10 phones that you can purchase anonymously, pay-as-you-go, and throw away.

Somehow they're able to have the phone register as 'IRS' on the recipient's caller ID and then convince them to send money or provide other information which can be utilized in identity theft and other scams.

These phones have been in the news as of late because it has become clear that mobile phones are critical in the NSA's massive surveillance net. They track locations and can be used in some cases as a wireless microphone or 'bug'.

Those who wish to remain anonymous and undetectable are resorting to these 'burner' or throw-away phones. They can change the phone out periodically and avoid detection. Of course I think that voice-recognition software could find you anyway. They've had that technology since the Echelon network went online in the 1990's. It was even exhibited in some of the films of the era. Remember the Cuban Intelligence agent in 'Clear and Present Danger'?

Anyway, these scams provide an impetus for regulative legislation, requiring that in order to activate the phone you register or set up some kind of account. I don't know how it would work but the timing is rather convenient.

I don't doubt there are many clever scammers out there but if past is precedent we also know American intelligence operatives wouldn't be above such activity if it facilitates a legislative solution to the Intel loophole.

I use one of these phones and have for many years. I'm not trying to hide. I just happen to live in an area where mobile phones are of limited value to begin with. They don't work in many locations including my house. Secondly, I hate contracts. Some months I might barely use the phone at all and I don't want to pay $60 or more just to have it. By using a 'burner' phone, some months I spend next to nothing and other months I might spend $20-40 dollars. It depends on what I have going on. But using one of these phones leaves me in control. Also, the phone I have is simple. No voice mail, no texting.... just how I like it. I want to use it if I need it for work or for my wife to have a way to get a hold of me. After that, I want to turn the thing off.

But it's irksome to think that regulation may require me to sign up for some kind of account or change the way these phones function. Freedom is exchanged for a false security which is in fact the empowerment of the Corporate Empire.