As of November 24, after years of delay, new FCC rules require telcos to let customers keep their mobile numbers when they switch wireless providers. Local telephone number portability is a fundamental change in the cell phone business. Number portability means never having to say you're sorry.
Does a phone company have to release yourphone number?
Phone companies are required by law to port your number out when you start service with a new carrier. According to the FCC, a company can't refuse to port your number even if you have an outstanding balance or unpaid termination fees.
Are phone records protected?
Yes. The Fourth Amendment protects cell phone location records because of their comprehensive and private nature, even though they are collected and held by the phone company. The Government must ordinarily obtain a warrant before acquiring the records.
Is a phone number confidential?
“A telephone number is not considered Personally Identifiable Information under the law, so technically there's not a legal obligation to protect that information.” Companies use your cellphone to track your spending habits and also use it as your mobile identity.
Can anyone access yourphone records?
Your phone records are private because they contain a lot of sensitive personal information about you, your family and your activities. People who get your calling and billing records without your permission could use that information to hurt you or steal from you.
How do I make my phone records private?
- Your phone records are private because they contain a lot of sensitive personal information about you, your family and your activities.
- Get an unlisted number.
- Set up strong passwords.
- Limit the information you share.
- Talk to yourphone company.
- Keep your information secure.
Can I keep a phone number without a plan?
Under FCC regulations, you have the right to keep your cell phone number (it doesn't belong to your carrier). So a carrier is required to relinquish your cell phone number to you if you so request. If you just cancel your contract, you'll lose yourphone number.
Can I keep the same number with a prepaid phone?
You can keep your current cell phone number when getting a new prepaid phone by transferring, or "porting," an existing number. However, you will need specific information to verify that the phone is valid and your current number is eligible to be transferred.
Are phone records confidential?
Under federal privacy laws, such as the Consumer Telephone Records Protection Act of 2006, your cellphone carrier can't give you these phone records, even if you own the phone and pay the bill. That's because these records often show messages sent and received by someone else, and that person has privacy rights.
Can text messages be pulled from phone records?
Text message records must be obtained from a party's cell phone provider. An attorney can obtain a court order or subpoena to get the records directly from the service provider.
Can a phone company refuse to port your number?
Companies may charge you to port your number, but youcan ask whether any fees can be waived or negotiated. Once you request service from a new company, your old company cannot refuse to port your number, even if you owe money for an outstanding balance or termination fee.
Is your cell phone number public?
Cell phone numbers are private—there's no public directory of cell phone numbers to replace those old paper phone books.
How do you stop someone from seeing your call history?
- Request the removal of all “call details” from your cell phone bills.
- Request deactivation of online access to your cell phone account.
- Do not provide your personal cell-phone number to the general public.
Are you legally allowed to keep yourphone number?
You have the right to take your cell phone number with you but you do not have the right to continue use of their cell phone contract. If you would like to keep your number, simply speak to your future cell phone company. Obviously, if any "legal issues" arise, the cell phone company would not transfer the number.
Is a phone number private?
The virtual number is not hidden but personal information, such as your location and personal phone number, remain private. Equally, when you make outbound calls, these will appear to be coming from the virtual number, even if you make the call on your private cell.