Notice - IF you are communicating with people online who ask to text you or talk to you - do not feel confidence just because they give you a phone number that you have a link to their real identity.
They could be using a service from Google called Google Voice.
"Many other Google Voice services—such as voicemail, free text messaging, call history, conference calling, call screening, blocking of unwanted calls, and voice transcription to text of voice-mail messages—are also available to users resident in the US.[ "
Google voice allows them to pick a new phone number (with a area code from any where in the USA) and have all calls forwarded to that FREE GOOGLE NUMBER, yes it will forward to a phone of their choice.
For example they can have all cell phone calls, even their home phone as well forwarded to their Google voice number totally free of charge.
What that means is when you call that Google number and it rings they have the opportunity to screen your call. You will not know its a Google voice number unless they allow it to go to voice mail. Which in the case of my recent experience the person had not changed the voice mail message and it said "the Google subscriber you have called is not available please leave a message".
However, I think it is possible to customize that message and if so you would never know that it is not their real number.
What this means - You could be talking to someone in another state - or it could be someone you know disguising their phone number and having you text them or call them.
It could mean all kinds of things such as It's a way to hide their identity.
For example you would not be able to do a reverse number look up on them to verify their identity.
IF you are single and dating beware this is a tool that would easily allow scammers to change numbers, screen calls and hide their true identity.
Im sure there are good uses for this - not giving your real phone number out to people you don't know well especially in light of i.e. stalkers and so forth - and in that respect the average person might actually find Google Voice useful. Especially for singles who are dating and handing out their phone number to prospective relationship partners.
But honestly how comfortable would you be meeting someone in person if you knew they didn't trust you enough to give you their real phone number.?
Be VIGILANT
AND
Be AWARE.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Voice
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