Burner disposable numbers come to Android

Ever wanted a disposable phone number without the cost of purchasing a disposable phone? Burner offers you that option.  You can now get “fake”phone numbers for your Android cell phone. The app was first offered for iPhones last summer.

Burner by Ad Hoc Labs is an app that is now available for Android phones and can be downloaded from Google Play. The app comes with one free “burner”.  As the website says, once you are done with the number, you burn it, deleting it from your phone.  It’s as if it never existed.

You can create numerous other burn numbers but they will cost you.  You have to use “credits” to purchase numbers, the length of time, number of voicemails and texts that you need.  It isn’t cheap but you can earn credits by sharing a referral number with friends.  You and your friend both earn credits when they sign up using the referral number.

+++PRICING+++

Burner options: 
• SAMPLE BURNER (Available once) – 1 day or 5 voice or 15 text (FREE) 
• Mini Burner – 7 days or 20 voice or 60 texts (3 credits) 
• Standard Burner – 30 days or 50 voice or 150 texts (5 credits) 
• Large Burner – 30 days or 90 voice or 270 texts (8 credits) 
• Long Burner – 60 days or 75 voice or 225 texts (8 credits)

Burner extension optons: 
• Add 30 days or 50 voice or 150 texts (5 credits) 
• Add 90 days or 90 minutes or 270 texts (10 credits) 
• Add 60 voice or 180 texts (5 credits)

Cost of credits: 
• 3 Credits = $1.99 
• 8 Credits = $4.99 
• 15 Credits = $7.99 
• 25 Credits = $11.99

Phandroid calls this a “privacy oriented” app. You can use it for a variety of reasons.  You can get a burn number for use on dating and social media sites, for job searches, short term projects or if you need multiple business lines. You can name each burner number and set distinct ringtones for them.  You just have to remember which number you are using for each person or project. You have access to your contact list regardless of what number you are using.  Just take care because you could wind up paying more for your “burn number or numbers” than for a second phone line depending on how you use it.

The disposable numbers shield you from reverse phone number searches.  When people look up your burner number, they won’t find any information that leads to you.  Anyone you call when using the number only sees the burner and not your actual number.  You can receive texts and voicemails on the fake number allowing you keep both numbers separate while using the same phone.  When you have finished with the number, you simply delete it and everything associated with that number disappears from your phone. As to whether it totally disappears from all phone and company servers is unclear.

I know I have been watching too many crime dramas and reading too many mysteries when I wonder if law enforcement and others would be able to trace someone using a burner number by the GPS on their phone.  Would your SIM card be traceable even if you are using a fake number? I’ll leave that plot line up to CSI, NCIS, and Criminal Minds to solve.