Google Voice vs Personal Cell Phone Number

[Bryan Henry]

Hey Bigger Pockets! I am a landlord in Denver and I manage my own rentals.  To date I have used my personal cell phone as the way for tenants to call or text me.  I have not had any issues with this method so far, but I keep hearing about the benefits of a service like Google Voice.  I wanted to start a discussion and see WHY everyone thinks Google Voice (or a similar service) is beneficial, or if it is just easier to stay with my personal cell phone number for phone calls and texts?

[Rick M.]

I’m a paranoid android so I don’t like tenants having my personal number or address. I know it’s probably overthinking it but this day in age I would rather have too much protection then not enough. It’s simple if a tenant gets a grudge against you they could call or text you non-stop.

“Well you can just block them” This is true but they still have your main number, so all it would take to get their friends phone or simply get a burner phone to do the process all over again and you have no control. Or even worse, I had this done to me from an ex of mine, she was mad so she posted my number on social media I was pummeled with calls or texts for hours until I turned my phone off and before I got a new number I would get random calls and texts even after said occurrence. Or they could post your number to Craigslist with a “Free Motorcycle ad” I had countless calls and texts on Thanksgiving day about wanted to come pick up my imaginary FREE motorcycle. If you saw something you wanted for FREE on Craigslist wouldn’t you give them a call to see if it’s still being given away?! I would, and have. Giving tenants your main number you have no control with which way they use it, they have all the information they need to hold against you, if need be.

Now with the same scenario, if a Google Voice number was posted to Social media/Craigslist or whatnot you can still block the individual number in the application but, this is what sold me on it, if you were getting pounded my random numbers calling or texting you can sign out of the app and, checkmate, it’s over no more calls or texts until you sign back into the app.

Ultimately do what feels right, Google Voice is free for the first number when you sign up with them and having Unlimited data calls and texts are technically data usage since you are using an app and you’re NOT using your minutes or texts, if you have a certain number allotted to you each month, so it’s a win win.