Though prepaid mobile phones have gained a reputation for being used only by criminals, these so-called “burner” phones also offer their users many practical benefits from a legal perspective. Assuming you are not using your phone in the commission of a crime, here are five important legal benefits you can gain by using a prepaid mobile phone.
Prepaid Phones Have No Monthly Fees
When you have a mobile phone through a carrier, monthly fees are usually part of your plan. However, these fees are almost always very confusing, can add up quickly, and result in you having billing issues with your carrier. In many cases, problems such as these can lead to additional problems regarding lower credit scores and other financial dilemmas, especially if you choose not to pay your bill during a dispute. However, since prepaid mobile phones come with no fees, you won’t have to worry about winding up in court over a bill that has not been paid.
They Offer Privacy
If you do want a higher level of privacy, prepaid mobile phones are your best option. Since prepaid phones don’t track your activities online, it is far easier for you to stay anonymous if you wish. This can be especially important if you are going through a situation of domestic violence or another similar set of circumstances, since having a prepaid phone will allow you to communicate more easily with family, friends, and even your attorney.
No Contractual Obligations
When using a standard mobile phone, you will almost always be required to sign a long-term contract, usually lasting at least one year. While you don’t think much of it at that moment, these contracts can often lead to numerous legal disputes and financial headaches for those who signed on the dotted line. If you want to avoid any unexpected surprises or find your phone’s carrier is deciding to take you to court or ruin your credit score, use a mobile prepaid phone that has no contracts associated with it.
No Credit Check
If you have had problems with poor credit in the past, are in the midst of bankruptcy proceedings, or are dealing with other types of financial issues, a prepaid mobile phone will be your best option due to it not requiring a credit check prior to being purchased. Since you will be paying upfront for phone service, the risk that you won’t be able to pay your phone bill is immediately eliminated.
Searching Your Phone
Finally, if you are using a prepaid phone, it is more likely that police and others will not be able to seize your phone and search it for vital information about certain situations. Depending on the circumstances, it is always possible that if you have a phone through a standard carrier, a family member, friend, or someone else could gain access to your phone and send threatening text messages or phone calls to others. Before you know it, police may be accusing you of a crime. However, by using a prepaid phone, this will be one less thing you will have to worry about.
From not having to worry about signing long-term contracts to a case of mistaken identity if others gain access to your phone, prepaid mobile phones offer these and many other advantages that make them very appealing.
