Texting versus Email

With Google Voice it is easy to create a discreet number for text and voice. No need to get a prepaid burner phone. I also find using a real keyboard to type is better than an on-screen keyboard.

[quote=hotluvrs]I would be concerned that this person is ignoring requests. Since you’ve made multiple requests it’s a surprising that he hasn’t responded in some way, either positively or to explain that he doesn’t do text messages.[/quote]This is my point as well.
The problem isnt refusing to give a number to text. The problem is refusing to respond to the request to text.
He may have a good reason not to release his number, but he has to respond to the request.

[quote=Single_again1960][quote=Ymichael14]My point is, with all of the very easy ways to use a throw away cell number or a texting app that is not your real number, I would not trust anyone who avoided my request to text.[/quote]I know that and you know that, but for the majority of people computer security makes their eyes glaze over and they think it's silly since "they have nothing to secure or hide". They think that the password that's their name and used on every site they visit is enough. Tell them to use a pw manager....good luck with that one. I dealt with people like this all my working life, nothing you tell them will make them think they need security. To them security is a PITA and a silly inconvenience. That's why there's such a huge problem with data breaches, even large companies don't offer much for security. For them it's all about the dollar, it's cheaper to pay out than to implement security and have to support it. Banks are a prime example of this

Mention a disposable cell phone number and they think you're crazy

Same goes for trying to get people to use a unique secure pw at least for their most important functions like banking

Even something simple like using a YubiKey to generate OTP's or for security validations/2FA and they think you're crazy[/quote]Agreed.
But if they do not belive they need any security they are not going to hesitate to give you their cell number.
I would trust someone who made me go through CIA level security to text them than I would someone who ignored my request to text.

Company phone?

I would be concerned that this person is ignoring requests. Since you’ve made multiple requests it’s a surprising that he hasn’t responded in some way, either positively or to explain that he doesn’t do text messages.

Maybe he's a flake, maybe - like me - he doesn't give out his number to people he hasn't met and has no interest in getting Google Voice. You already have a vanilla meeting set up, which I hope is at a place you'd want to be anyway, in case he doesn't show, so maybe just do the meet and greet and see how you feel about him.

Protecting privacy is always prudent. Sharing personal contact info too early can expose one to unwanted contact, potential doxxing, or revealing digital footprints before a real-world connection is established. We will give out our phone number AFTER meeting in-person, getting to know a little bit about the person(s) behind the profile, and after it’s decided that we want to meet up again. Until then, communication stays on SLS. It takes just a few extra seconds to pull up the app and send the same 'text' via a more private method, or check for last-minute coordination for a first date.

[quote=Ymichael14]My point is, with all of the very easy ways to use a throw away cell number or a texting app that is not your real number, I would not trust anyone who avoided my request to text.[/quote]I know that and you know that, but for the majority of people computer security makes their eyes glaze over and they think it's silly since "they have nothing to secure or hide". They think that the password that's their name and used on every site they visit is enough. Tell them to use a pw manager....good luck with that one. I dealt with people like this all my working life, nothing you tell them will make them think they need security. To them security is a PITA and a silly inconvenience. That's why there's such a huge problem with data breaches, even large companies don't offer much for security. For them it's all about the dollar, it's cheaper to pay out than to implement security and have to support it. Banks are a prime example of this

Mention a disposable cell phone number and they think you're crazy

Same goes for trying to get people to use a unique secure pw at least for their most important functions like banking

Even something simple like using a YubiKey to generate OTP's or for security validations/2FA and they think you're crazy

My point is, with all of the very easy ways to use a throw away cell number or a texting app that is not your real number, I would not trust anyone who avoided my request to text.

[quote=RonKathy]Its all good.. its what I do for a living in and out of courts daily, and yes plenty ways to end all !

Like I said 25 plus years never an issue and not really worried ... but if that's what you do its all good your journey.

I assure you your info is all over the dark web like everyone else unless you pay to have it deleted yearly.

Banks, Drs offices any medical facility gym, gas stations , hotels , credit cards used all have been hacked and your info sold.

Best way is to FREEZE all 3 credit bureaus with notifications on each and every transaction to you immediately.

That we why we choose our SELECT FWB after vetting all.

Including lawsuits which I have been successful at... with many Corporations who fail to cease and desist and some even arrested.[/quote]You are 100% correct with everything you say

Having your online info deleted by a reputable company is good but you have to remember that once something goes onto the internet it's there forever, there's no such thing as removing it. "Deleting" info keeps honest people honest, the bad guys have ways around everything. Selling data is big business.

Freezing your credit card info is a very good idea, just remember that the big 3 aren't the only credit bureaus, include these: ChexSystems; Innovis; LexisNexis; NCTUE

[quote=RonKathy]No problem with "us" giving Cell out once we meet you in person and verify it works for us !

25 plus years only one problem with a couple where female was extremely possessive and demanding with one.. easy we blocked her![/quote]Yes, after we meet and click we will give our number

Its all good.. its what I do for a living in and out of courts daily, and yes plenty ways to end all !

Like I said 25 plus years never an issue and not really worried ... but if that's what you do its all good your journey.

I assure you your info is all over the dark web like everyone else unless you pay to have it deleted yearly.

Banks, Drs offices any medical facility gym, gas stations , hotels , credit cards used all have been hacked and your info sold.

Best way is to FREEZE all 3 credit bureaus with notifications on each and every transaction to you immediately.

That we why we choose our SELECT FWB after vetting all.

Including lawsuits which I have been successful at... with many Corporations who fail to cease and desist and some even arrested.

A couple problems with giving out a cell/land line number are:

1: spam & robo calls

1. smishing (not pfishing) & social engineering

1. SIM swap & account takeover

1. cell numbers can be used to connect pieces of your identity: your real name & address; social media accounts; messaging profiles; business listings; public records; data broker files....these are just off the top of my head, I'm sure there's more

1. harassment and stalking

1. data breach exposure

1. account impersonation, example, calling your bank

The more info someone can piece together about you the better. The latest is AI generated voice calls saying someone has been kidnapped and they are demanding ransome. The perps use little bits of info to create a very convincing impersonation

He may be leery of giving out his phone number. There are numerous apps for the phone, and PC that are not based off of your phone number.

No problem with "us" giving Cell out once we meet you in person and verify it works for us !

25 plus years only one problem with a couple where female was extremely possessive and demanding with one.. easy we blocked her!

I never give out my cell number. I use an IP based phone number for exactly this. It can be changed as often as necessary. I don't have to worry about my cell number being misused since it's never given out. Currently I have 10 different IP phone numbers, each one used for different reasons. This is one small piece of my layered approach to online & public security. For texting I use Signal or Threema. Signal is used with an IP number that is changed frequently

We never give a cell if we don't know what you look like. Post a pg pic

It could just be that he prefers email for messaging - hopefully he will agree to texting at least for last minute changes in plans or problems.

I'm very cautious about sharing our cell number - I usually wait until a couple days before a planned meet. After that if someone insists on texting they take the very real chance that it could be days before I notice the message. I'm on my laptop several times a day but might not check the phone at all.

I would guess his wife would see the texts or he doesn't want to get a text from you while his wife is next to him or he is still living in mom's basement and mommy hasn't bought him a cell yet.
I hope the vanilla meet and greet is some place you two can can still enjoy when he doesn't show up.
I have no idea why someone wouldn't want to switch to texts. Especially if you have a meet planned. What if he gets lost, is running late, etc? How is he going to contact you? By email?
I would guess flake.
Or, maybe he thinks the CIA is monitoring all text messages and email is safe.

Is it expecting too much to be able to text a guy who has been emailing for 2 weeks, instead of emailing? We're supposed to have a vanilla meet/greet in 3 days. Seems strange to me, he ignores requests for texting. Yet another flake?