There are a number of steps you can take to add layers of security to your telephone communications:
- Don't use a home phone, only use a cell phone.
- If you do use a land line (or cell phone for that matter) have the account in the name of another person (or business).
- Leave the generic, computer-generated message as your outgoing message on your phone.
- Use a pre-paid cell phone which is not linked to your name (ie: pay for it with cash).
- Block your outgoing phone info so it will not show up on other's caller ID.
- Have caller ID on your phones and block any number that does not provide this info for incoming calls.
- Use a payphone for untraceable calls (make sure it is not covered by video surveillance).
- Use a few different cell phones from different service providers.
- Never link your unlinked cell phone to your name (ie: pay for it with cash, register it under an assumed name, and always pay cash for top-off cards).
- Use an international cell phone (and "load") purchased in a foreign country if it will work in your area.
- Get on the "do no call" list.
- Google your phone number and see how it is linked to you.
- Change all of your phone numbers to new, unlisted numbers.
- Use VOIP online phone service such as Skype.
- Never reveal personal information during conversations on your cell phone carried on in public areas--you never know who could be listening.
- Remember that all conversations/calls/texts/etc. can be monitored/recorded/tracked and behave accordingly.
- Purchase pre-paid calling cards for use on public and private phones. Of course, do not link them to your name by paying with a credit card or purchasing at a membership store.
- Consider getting a non-local area code and number for your cell (ie: a New York number if you live on the west coast). Make sure the service does not charge for roaming.
- Turn off your cell phone completely when it is not in use.
- Secure your cell by removing and hiding your SIM card when it is not in use.
- Learn how to tap into a land line from the street like telephone repair people can do.
- Have an "old fashioned" land line phone (not a cordless phone) for use if the power goes out or if you need to plug into a jack at various locations.
- If you must leave a personal outgoing message on your phone, have someone else record it and provide the least amount of information possible.
- Use a disposable phone number (http://www.numbr.com/) for certain situations.
- Lock your cell handset with your own (not the pre-set factory) security code.
- Change the pre-set message retrieval security code for both your cell and home message systems.
- Don't have a phone. People have lived for centuries without being tied to a telephone.