Though prepaid mobile phones are reputedly used only by criminals or by people having something to hide, the so-called “burner” phones offer users some eminently practical benefits, entirely from a legal perspective. Assuming your phone is not used to commit a crime, some important legal benefits gained by using a prepaid mobile phone, are set out.

No Monthly Fees

Any mobile phone through a carrier, has monthly fees as part of your plan. These fees are always confusing, and add up quickly, resulting in billing issues with your carrier with problems lead to more problems which lower credit scores and other financial dilemmas, if you choose to defer bill payment during disputes. However, as prepaid mobile phones have no fees, worries about landing in court with unpaid bills, are non-existent.

Privacy Assured

For added privacy, prepaid mobile phones are the best option. As prepaid phones don’t track online activities, it is easy for you to stay anonymous if you so desire. This is really important if you are in a domestic violence situation or a similar set of circumstances, as a prepaid phone facilitates communication more easily with family, friends, and your attorney.

No Contractual Obligations

If using a standard mobile phone, signing a long-term contract, of over a year is mandatory. Such contracts can lead to numerous legal disputes and financial headaches for those signing on the dotted line. To avoid unexpected surprises or your phone’s carrier decides to take you to court or ruin your credit score, use a mobile prepaid phone with no contracts associated.

No Credit Check

If you had problems with poor credit score in the past, or are in bankruptcy proceedings, or are dealing with financial issues, a prepaid mobile phone is easily your best option, as no credit check is needed prior to purchase. As you pay upfront for phone services, the risk of not paying your phone bill is immediately eliminated.

Searching Your Phone

Finally, the police and others cannot seize your phone and search it for vital information about specific situations. From not signing any long-term contract due to mistaken identity should anyone else access your phone, a prepaid mobile phone offers these and other advantages that automatically make them very appealing. The main advantage a prepaid cell phone offers is the control. With a prepaid cell phone, you talk as long and whenever you want until you run out of talk-time. Plus, unused minutes add up each month and are automatically rolled over into the next. They are used by students or those with little, terrible or no credit as a credit check would not be required to buy a prepaid cell phone.

Disadvantages

While prepaid mobile phones don’t have many shiny advantages, there are a few drawbacks to them. One is the cost-per-minute rate these phones have, making this a major disadvantage for anyone who makes lots of calls. Another problem is the expiry date that comes along with most plans’ unutilized minutes, usually for 30 or 90 days. Also, the latest features, software or apps on almost all prepaid cell phones, are not available. Features enabling Web browsing or video messaging, are not standard on the cheaper prepaid cell phones. The phone will most likely have a new number assigned to it when reactivated.