I’ll be honest: my phone has been through some things. It’s been the lifeline on too many solo adventures to count, a GPS whisperer when I’ve been hopelessly lost in the middle of a Norwegian fjord (seriously, bless you, Google Maps), and lately it’s become my main way of capturing memories. But one thing my phone has never handled well is boundaries.
It started innocently enough: a phone number shared for a booking in Thailand. Fast forward a year, and I was still getting WhatsApp messages asking if I wanted a tour of Chiang Mai at 3 AM. Then there were the business inquiries that turned into a weird mix of spam calls and “Did you forget your car’s extended warranty?” moments. It felt like my phone number was becoming public property, like an email address from 1999.
Enter Surfshark’s Alternative Number, my knight in digital armor (and the sponsor of this post!).
The Privacy Saviour I Didn’t Know I Needed
Here’s how it works: instead of giving out your real phone number, you generate a shiny new one through the Surfshark app. You can receive calls and messages just like you would on your regular number, but the beauty is in the temporary part. When you’re done? Delete it and poof—it’s gone.
At first, I thought, Do I really need another thing in my life that costs money? But let me tell you, the joy of not worrying about my personal number being out there, vulnerable to every marketer, scammer, or overly enthusiastic WhatsApp group, is chef’s kiss.
Ways I’ve Used It
- For Booking Travel:
You know how some hotels and airlines require a number for “updates”? And then you spend the next year dodging calls about their new loyalty program? Now I give them my alternative number. If they spam me, I delete the number and generate a new one for the next trip. No awkward unsubscribing required. - For Business Stuff:
Running a blog means lots of random inquiries. It’s great when it’s someone asking for travel advice or collaboration, but not so great when it’s a bot trying to sell me “SEO solutions” or some rando who somehow thinks my number is tech support for WordPress. Surfshark’s Alternative Number lets me keep my real phone number just for people I actually like. - For Selling on Facebook Marketplace:
Look, I’m all for a good declutter, but there’s something unnerving about strangers having my real number just because I sold them a stroller. With an alternative number, I can respond to texts about pick-up times without worrying that I’m inviting some scammer into my phone. - For Filling in My Info in Single Use Websites:
Use the auto-fill function to instantly fill out website sign-up forms. Want to ‘sign up for texts’ to receive a discount? No need to use your real number!
Why It’s Worth It
The thing about privacy is that you don’t realize how much you’ve given up until someone crosses the line. For me, that line was the political texters who just wouldn’t quit. With Surfshark’s Alternative Number, I get to take control back. I decide who has access to me, and when I’m done? I can literally hit delete and move on with my life.
It’s like decluttering my inbox but for my actual phone. No more feeling like I’m dodging calls from ghosts of past decisions.
Plus, as someone who travels a lot, I can’t overstate how handy it is to have a “travel number” I don’t care about. Whether I’m booking last-minute reservations or navigating a new country’s SIM card drama, it’s like having a burner phone without, you know, carrying an actual burner phone.
The Bottom Line
If you’re a human who exists in the world—whether that means you’re running a business, traveling the globe, or just trying to sell a couch without turning your number into public property—Surfshark’s Alternative Number is worth every penny. It’s like giving your phone the gift of boundaries. And honestly, my phone deserves that after everything it’s been through.
So, yes, I pay for it. And no, I don’t regret it. My real number can finally breathe easy, and honestly, so can I.
*Some links in this post are affiliate links that support us at no extra cost to you when you purchase through them. We only recommend products we love and use ourselves. Your trust always comes first!
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