Cell Phone Privacy: Must I register myself to the Fed to get a Cell Phone?

When you get a cellphone plan they are extending you credit. No company will do that with out verifying your identity and SSN. If you don't want to provide that information get a prepaid phone.

Colleen:

I cannot find a statute that requires SSN and verification of ID for cell phone, but I did not do an extensive legal search either.

While the cell phone "contract" expects monthly payments, your offer to prepay the full sum, ought to have removed any requirement of the FCRA. Note: § 626 & 627 of the FCRA remove all credit financial privacy and permit unwarranted monitoring. Now, since MOST contract would "extend" credit the firm may just want to link you into that concept.

Actually, I think you are acting very adult, because you expect personal privacy. Something that sadly has removed from US education. Children today to not learn "Loose Lips Sink Ships" or not to trust anyone other than family ---. It would be nice if someone could develop an app for smartphone that would encrypt phone calls via a 512 bit public private Key. --- I doubt that the FCC, FBI, or NSA would let that fly.

It would be a good day in America if we return to the concept of individual privacy in all matters of personal life, medicine, money, reading, and conversations.

That is the way it is now and most people don't really understand what that means. An extension of credit, sure I understand that but it is not company policy it is Federal law, a whole different monkey. All in the name of security forget about privacy none of us really have it.

You provide up a definite volume of privateness once you ask that credit be prolonged you and additionally you enter right into a freelance with a organization. you're entering right into a freelance with them and that they are extending credit to you. it fairly is relatively interior of their rights to confirm which you're who you're saying you're and characteristic you SSN with the intention to run a credit verify on you. in case you do no longer desire to furnish this suggestions in simple terms pass purchase a pay as you go cellular telephone.

You are looking at a contract plan, which means you will need to give a name. Buy a prepaid phone if you want privacy.

well you clearly have have never been in the world of grown ups.....................

They need to see it before you walk out the store, you do not show it you will NOT be getting a plan from them even if you pay in full up front.