app to prevent account holder from seeing who I'm talking to

[Heatherington]

Okay, Interesting situation here. I'm a college student who has just realized that my parents are keeping tabs on who I'm talking to through verizon. Is there an application out there that can hide on the verizon website from my parents who it is that i am talking to? a number scrambler or something. It isnt as if i'm talking to anyone bad or anything. its just that this gross distrust and lack of privacy offends me deeply. Would appreciate any feedback. thanks

[Ann154]

As the account owners of the family plan, they have the right to see the usage details. If you don't want them to see your information, ask them to do an Assumption of Liability (AOL) with you and you would create your own individual plan. You would be responsible for the full payment. There might also be a deposit required if you have no credit or bad credit.

[budone]

You could also *67 every call you make and have your friends do the same calling you, but neither would know who is calling.

[boyerama]

the only way I can think of involves a little work. Sign up for a Google Voice account (www.google.com/voice) it will give you a phone number you can give to everyone you don't want them to see.

On the Google Voice website, under your account settings, set it to display Google Voice number (instead of the callers number) then on your bill, the Google Voice number will appear instead of their Caller ID.

It's a pretty cool service, and if you have an Android phone there is an app that allows you to recieve text messages and voicemails from your Google Voice number for free (you have to have web though)

That's a sure fire way of not letting the rents know who you're talking to, they will only see the Google Voice number on the bill.

- Also, you can set up the Google Voice number to announce who is calling that way when you answer it, you'll know who it is.

[TBhouston]

Super easy

Okey, first thing open up your own vzw account that you pay for

second, oh wait thats it

[Wildman]

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boyerama wrote:

the only way I can think of involves a little work. Sign up for a Google Voice account (www.google.com/voice) it will give you a phone number you can give to everyone you don't want them to see.

On the Google Voice website, under your account settings, set it to display Google Voice number (instead of the callers number) then on your bill, the Google Voice number will appear instead of their Caller ID.

It's a pretty cool service, and if you have an Android phone there is an app that allows you to recieve text messages and voicemails from your Google Voice number for free (you have to have web though)

That's a sure fire way of not letting the rents know who you're talking to, they will only see the Google Voice number on the bill.

- Also, you can set up the Google Voice number to announce who is calling that way when you answer it, you'll know who it is.

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I noticed a number of user that report Google Voice but have you gave thought to if the unlimited data goes away this option will cost you because all calls are web based (VOIP) and also I have noticed if you got a weak 3G connection the sound quality gets affected during call.

[droidsw]

You know the sentiment among most people. The folks pay the bills. The folks set the rules. When your teenager/20-something kid gets a phone someday, remember how you felt.

Get a part-time job and pay your own cell phone bill. The privacy would be worth it.

[lance96816]

Ha! I told my kids the same thing, get your own phone, your own car, and your own cable!

[FernBch]

I understand your pain, BUT as I told mine, I pay the bill and you will respect the rules and types of activities that are allowed. If you can't respect the fact that I pay for what you have, then you need to pay for your own. I am responsible for what happens on my account and if your not doing anything you shouldn't be, or not behaving as if you are, then there are no problems. As it turned out there was inappropriate activity going on and features for the line in question were turned off. Not saying that's what's happening, but you should understand that someone else is paying, so you are at thier mercy.

[Toyota4x4van]

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Heatherington wrote:

Okay, Interesting situation here. I'm a college student who has just realized that my parents are keeping tabs on who I'm talking to through verizon. Is there an application out there that can hide on the verizon website from my parents who it is that i am talking to? a number scrambler or something. It isnt as if i'm talking to anyone bad or anything. its just that this gross distrust and lack of privacy offends me deeply. Would appreciate any feedback. thanks

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Boy, that's funny.  You are "deeply offended" by the gross distrust and lack of privacy, that someone who is PAYING FOR THE SERVICE actually has the nerve to want to know what you are doing with that service?  And now you want to find a way to "hide" from them what you are doing with that service?  That pretty much proves that they have good reason to distrust you, doesn't it?  If I was your parent, I would kick you off MY service and let you get your own.  Grow up.

[Jax_Omen]

The one thing not mentioned here (probably because it's an unlikely scenario) is if he's paying for his own line, on his parents' account. Then he IS paying the bill and would be a bit more justified to be upset about snooping. For example, on my own account, my brother and his girlfriend are on a family plan with me, because it's cheaper for everyone. They pay half the bill, I pay half. If I were to suddenly start spying on their usage, it would be a huge breach of trust. If I were paying their share, it'd still be a breach of trust, but it'd be justified. Of course, the only reason I'd ever care about their call details is if they suddenly started going over our minutes, but that will NEVER happen, we don't even use 100 of our 1500 minutes to landlines every month, and all cell phones are airtime free >_>

[EdW_VZW]

Thanks to everyone for their input. Adding to what was stated, I understand and respect what Heatherington is desiring. This is a suggestion based on my personal experience with my daughter who wanted the same space of privacy without us looking at her phone usage while we paid for her services as she attends college. Being a concerned parents, my wife and I set guidelines for her to abide by in how use her phone. Since there was not a way for her to hide phone numbers and usage from being seen online at My Verizon, there was an way establish usage trust between us under a confidential manner. Thus far this has worked for us and it built trust while she was independent yet knowing to appreciate the privilege of a free phone. Perhaps a good talk between can be tried to see if there can be a mutual agreement and benefits for all the parties. However, everyone is different and this suggestion may not apply to all cases, but its worked for us, maybe it can work for you as a family's option. 

[silver6055]

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Toyota4x4van wrote:

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Heatherington wrote:

Okay, Interesting situation here. I'm a college student who has just realized that my parents are keeping tabs on who I'm talking to through verizon. Is there an application out there that can hide on the verizon website from my parents who it is that i am talking to? a number scrambler or something. It isnt as if i'm talking to anyone bad or anything. its just that this gross distrust and lack of privacy offends me deeply. Would appreciate any feedback. thanks

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Boy, that's funny.  You are "deeply offended" by the gross distrust and lack of privacy, that someone who is PAYING FOR THE SERVICE actually has the nerve to want to know what you are doing with that service?  And now you want to find a way to "hide" from them what you are doing with that service?  That pretty much proves that they have good reason to distrust you, doesn't it?  If I was your parent, I would kick you off MY service and let you get your own.  Grow up.

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I am somewhat surprised by the harshness being expressed!   I pay for a family plan with my daughters and wife, and the only time I looked at usage was to determine what numbers should be put in Friends and Family.  It might depend on the age, but with one of my daughters off at university,  checking the phone records seems pointless, there are much bigger risks I can't monitor anyway.

And how many here are posting from a computer owned by an employer.  Do they read every email, text, monitor idle time, check how many typos you are making etc?  They pay for it.....

[Jax_Omen]

Actually, lots of employers DO randomly monitor the emails, screens, etc of work computers for compliance to company policy, and it IS their right since they're paying for it.

[silver6055]

Yes, I know. I also know people who complain, e.g. writing an email or calling the spouse to say you will be late, and being told "No personal use. " yes, legally they have the right but it can be intrusive and demeaning, The OP probably feels the same.