can I use old cell phones friend gave me?

[Tarheel Tink]

I have a Tracfone and barely use it. A friend was moving and gave me 1 Alltel phone and 5 Verizon phones. Can I use these economically? I am very cell phone ignorant and hope someone can advise me. I do plan to donate the excess to a domestic violence shelter and wondered how they use them?

 

[LuvOrlando]

A charged cell phone cal call 911 even if there is no service plan attached to it. This is why they are useful for victims of domestic violence. When a DF of mine was divorcing an abusive spouse I gave her a few of my old phones to conceal in her children's luggage during visitations so they could call for help without his knowledge if they ever needed it. Even if the ex got a hold of the phones they would appear worthless because that can't call out so we hoped they would be confused for worthless toys.

 

[luvmy3]

You can activate a Verizon phone on one of their pre-paid plans, however you cannot do it with all Verizon phones. You can call them directly and tell them the MEID # and they will be able to tell you if they are eligible. Now that Verizon offers a data plan for pre-paid cust, some of the smartphones are eligible, but not all. I'm pretty sure most of the basic phones can be as long as they aren't from the stone ages

 

[Imzadi]

Here's a link for Verizon's national Hopeline Phone Recycling program for donating cell phones. Verizon wipes out the old memory, resets the phones and donates some airtime so the women can use them for emergencies, and not just have 911 only access.

http://aboutus.vzw.com/communityservice/hopeLineRecycling.html

You can print their free postage-paid label, to affix to a box/envelope and simply drop it in the mail.