Sending an Anonymous Text
By Clare Edwards
You should never send anyone a threatening or abusive text message, anonymously or otherwise. If you're playing a gentle prank on a good friend or have some other legitimate reason for contacting someone anonymously, these methods may work for you. Some require a cell phone, while others can be used from your computer. Note that in most cases the recipient will be billed for the message.
Web-Based Anonymous Text Message Sites
Perhaps the simplest way to send an anonymous text message is by using one of the many websites set up for that purpose. Examples include TxtEmNow.com and AnonTxt.com, which both enable you to send basic texts with no identification; you can also look to FakeMSG.com, which gives you the option of adding a joke sender ID such as the name of a celebrity. You may need to register an account to access all the features of these sites, but basic text messaging services are usually free. Just enter the recipient's phone number and your text message in the fields provided, then click the "Send" button.
Anonymous Email Accounts
You can send an SMS or MMS message from most Webmail services, but you'll need to sign up for a separate email account if you don't want your own email to appear as the sender's address. Alternatively, you could use an email address spoofing site, which can make messages appear to come from whatever address you choose to enter. The email address to send the message to will be their ten-digit cell phone number plus the correct address for their provider. For example, to send a message via email to a Verizon customer, you would use [email protected], where each X represents a digit of your friend's phone number.
Smartphone Apps
If you have a smartphone, you can download and install an app to send anonymous text messages. Examples include Anonymous Texting Pro, Mr. Hide and Wickr, which also lets you send messages that are automatically deleted after a specified time period. Make sure you only install applications from recommended sites, such as Google Play, the official Apple App Store or the official Microsoft Store.
A Final Warning
Sending threatening or abusive text messages is always unethical. In most places, it also breaks the law. While it might be hard or even impossible for a private individual to trace an anonymous message, law enforcement agencies often have the right to demand that ISPs, Web-based email providers and cell phone carriers turn over records that would otherwise be private. Using these, it can be quite easy to track down the original sender and bring them to justice if they've broken the law.
References
Writer Bio
Clare Edwards has been providing Internet content since 1998. She has written and translated for a variety of markets: everything from technical articles to short fiction and essays on alternative spirituality. She holds a certificate of higher education in electronics and audio arts from Middlesex University.