Sign-ups that Require a Phone Number? Do This Instead

One of the best things about the internet is the free access to knowledge. If you have the time, you can educate yourself on virtually any topic. The educational resources are endless and often, the only cost to access some platforms, online training, webinars, and whitepapers is… your phone number. 

Dun. Dun. Dun. 

cue the lightning graphic

Just kidding. There’s no need to sell your soul (aka your privacy) to obtain a registration into virtual classes or to receive professional development. You can sign up for any resource with the easiest solution possible: a temporary online phone number with Hushed.

A Lesson Learned

I thought I could trust the human component of businesses with my personal information. I signed up for a free online course with my everyday mobile phone number. 

Sadly, a few days before the training there was a tragedy in my community. I was glued to the news and social media for updates, along with everyone else I knew, and did not have the capacity to participate in additional work. I sent a message to the organizer apologizing and explaining that I would need to withdraw from the training. I also was very clear about why. I hoped that this business, with such a human face that I had come to trust, would sympathize and understand that, with my attention elsewhere, I wasn’t interested in continuing to follow along with the updates at this time. 

I received an acknowledgement text and a friendly “no problem,” and yet, the messages continued. 

And continued. And continued. 

It was insulting and insensitive and a total nuisance. 

If I had only known about how to find “free trials with phone number,” I could have avoided this. Many free trials or sign-ups require a phone number, but using your personal one can lead to unwanted messages and spam.

Remember Hushed to Register for Free Trials with Phone Number:

When using Hushed to register for webinars, free trials, and similar services that require a phone number, your real number remains confidential. This prevents the sharing or selling of your personal contact details to external parties.

It also prevents spam from the original content organizer or host. In the case that they were just seeking a data grab rather than an opportunity to share knowledge, with a Hushed number, you can ward off being spammed, which is particularly beneficial for services that already have a reputation for inundating users with promotional content.

Maintain a boundary between your educational or professional sign-ups and your private life. Keep your ‘free trials with phone number’ sign-ups separate and stay organised and on top of the short list of individuals who actually should have access to your phone number. Best of all, since it’s designed to be disposable, your secondary online number doesn’t need to take up valuable mental space (in your head, or your contact list). Once you’re finished, you can discard the number and grab a new one for future needs.

Bonus Tip: Keep in mind that Hushed is not intended for permanent business use, but is great for managing work related sign ups and protecting your personal number. It’s best for temporary needs like using a burner number, not for ongoing business communications.

Next time you’re looking for access to a free PDF, online course, or free downloadable training, keep your inbox uncluttered and your message folders free of spam by signing up with a Hushed temporary online number.