I would not like to give hubpages my phone number, other verification?

1. 59

   YourFriendlyGamerposted 12 years ago

   Hubpages has asked for my phone number to verify me before I post my first hub. I would not like to give them my number because
   A. it will probably charge long distance on my phone
   B. I don't share my phone with people who I don't know in real life
   So my question is, any other verification methods I can use since I don't want to give out my cell number?

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   1. 75

      sarovaiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Welcome to hubpages. I don't see anything wrong with giving out the phone number to hubpages. They can't use it for any other purpose.

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2. 43

   maxraviposted 12 years ago

   Its one time activity, i don't see any problem in giving your phone no. they never give it to third party.

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   1. 59

      YourFriendlyGamerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Does it charge long distance?

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      1. 63

         Lisa HWposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         It's a text message that they send.  They've already said they aren't using the phone number, or giving it to anyone - just using it to verify.  The way I see it, if people want to be paid they already have to give their address and/or bank info to Google (and anyone else involved if paying for having Hubs with ads on them).  To me, giving out a phone number (and a cell phone number to boot) is kind of the least of anyone's problems.  Any place a person signs up to work (legitimately) online or off is going to want that same info.  Besides, even if you get charged for one long-distance text (and I don't know how all the phone carriers' charges work), writing on here costs nothing.  It's probably worth the cost of a text message.  How much could one (even a long-distance) text message between Canada and the US possibly be?

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      2. 89

         Just Ask Susanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         No nothing is charged to your phone. No long distance charges. Welcome to Hubpages.

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3. 0

   Home Girlposted 12 years ago

   If you do not want to give away your phone number, you can give your bank account # instead.
   Whatever is more sacred...

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4. 83

   psycheskinnerposted 12 years ago

   I can't say other sites other than Adsense have asked me for my phone number. It seems unnecessary to me as the money is going via Adsense and Paypal. But maybe I am missing something.

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   1. 88

      IzzyMposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It's to keep the spammers using software away, and it works

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5. 83

   psycheskinnerposted 12 years ago

   Other sites seem to achieve the same goal without compelling that level of data sharing. Personally I think a persons wish to not share personal data when it is not strictly necessary should be respected.
   
   Even if they eventually have to do it, there is no need to treat the concern as invalid. Where exactly is the line drawn? Why does Hubpages need this data when Inforbarrel etc don't? Some people can't afford cell phone with texting ability or have a stalker or abuser history that makes them very averse to sharing data.  especially as multiple companies have accidentally released data or had it hacked (next thing you know, automated sales calls all day and night).
   
   If Hubpages can do this without taking phone numbers, I think they should try to do that.

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   1. 88

      IzzyMposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Unlike Infobarrel and other sites, Hubpages is an open publishing platform. That means they do not have a system in place to stop anyone from opening up an account and posting any old garbage. Instead they moderate after publishing. Whether we agree with this policy or not is immaterial. It is their site, their rules.
      
      Asking for a phone number allows them to keep out the thousands of spammers who published here with computer-generated user names and the spun, useless content that eventually pulled this site right down.
      
      We all suffered thanks to them.
      
      Genuine writers/marketers have a great platform here again. Giving away a phone number (that doesn't get used apart from that one text to confirm identity) is a small price to pay.
      
      Anyone who doesn't want to share this personal data is free to go and write on other platforms.
      
      I do not want to see the return of the devastating effects of Panda, or the whatever  the next algorithm change is called, thanks to letting the spammers back in.
      
      No doubt in time they will find a way round the phone number issue, and another security measure will have to be implemented.
      
      Anything that keeps the spammers out is a good thing, and I can't understand your apparent confusion over this very important issue.
      
      If I remember correctly, a land line phone can also be used to verify, so those who don't have mobiles can still connect.
      
      And if you suggest that some people can't afford either, then you would wonder how they can afford internet access in the first place.

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6. 83

   psycheskinnerposted 12 years ago

   I am saying it is a valid concern for some people--and there are other ways of achieving the same level of security. I am sure Hubpages has good reasons for doing it.  But I also know some people have valid reasons for feeling nervous about it.
   
   But hey, I could just assume that because I wealthy, secure and don't mind sharing my number (and I don't mind) that no one else's opinion has any value whatsoever.

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7. 69

   Michael Willisposted 12 years ago

   When HP was going through the testing of this through the forums, it was said that texting was not the only way. If that has changed, I have not seen it on HP.
   I do not have or use texting and will not go that route on my phone.
   When I did the verification test, HP made the call to me and a recorded message gave me a number to type in for verification. It worked fine. Of course...there was the issue with two letters sounding exactly alike! lol But, HP said that would be corrected.

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