HJL,
Yes, criminals use prepaid phones, but patriots do too. I have been using a monthly, no contract, prepaid phone for over 15 years. Why? Because I do not like contracts, hidden fees, data charges, et cetera. I use Virgin Mobile. For $35 a month, I get unlimited calls, messaging, and Internet. There are no hidden fees or surprise charges, and I do not have to surrender my personal information or SSN. I like having to NOT give up my personal information every chance I get. So, understand, it’s not just criminals who use these phones; it’s also the poor people with bad credit, people against tyrannical locked-in phone contracts, and people seeking a “private” phone. My phone is MY private business and not the government’s. So, when you hear “burner phone”, remember it is not just criminals who use them.