prepaid cell question

[chipy]

when buying a prepaid cell phone, do you have to register or activate in your name?

 

[boomhower]

Depends. I believe the ones that you get from a provider(Verizon, At&t, etc) you may. The cheapos that you pick up at the gas station you dont. Just make sure you keep it where she wont find it.

 

[Tarrant64]

How much are those about? Is this something I can purchase for my sister to leave in her car in case of emergency this winter? She's a new driver and it would suck if she got stranded somewhere and didn't have her cellphone or it dies. Do they expire or anything? Or does it just stay active as long as there are minutes?

I've never used one so I have no idea.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

I depends on the carrier. Some like I think tracfone you can buy pay like $100 and have minutes that will last for a year. Others make you use the credit within a month ot 90 days.

 

[Cardio]

Buy a prepaid "SIM" on ebay, it will already be activated. You can add time on the net or calling in. You can even buy the cheapest time on ebay, they usually just email you the code #. No name or registering required. Tmobile is good as their time lasts longest , is cheapest and they will let you change the area code to one of your choice if you do not want the one the SIM was activated with. (Just tell them you bought the phone on ebay)
Mskr dure you get an ulnocked phone or one that was locked on the network you intend to use.

 

[intogamer]

I'm sure you can have them register the number with your name for caller ID.

I recently found out I could do that with a family plan 2nd line...