# Acceptable use policy for non-VoIP numbers

> Acceptable use of RealSIM Numbers: privacy, app testing and signing up from abroad are fine; fraud, impersonation, spam and account takeover are forbidden.

- URL: https://realsimnumbers.com/acceptable-use
- Last updated: 2026-10-19
- Publisher: RealSIM Numbers (https://realsimnumbers.com/)

What our numbers are for, what they are not for, and what happens when the rules are broken.

**Quick answer — What can I use a RealSIM Numbers number for?**

RealSIM Numbers numbers, from $0.36 per code in October 2026, are for honest uses: keeping your own number private, testing an app, signing up from abroad or separating work and personal accounts. Fraud, impersonation, spam and access to accounts that are not yours are forbidden and lead to account closure.

## Which uses are allowed?

- Keeping your personal number private when a service requires a phone number.
- Testing your own app, website or sign-up flow with real mobile numbers.
- Signing up to a service from abroad that only accepts local numbers.
- Separating work and personal accounts.

## Which uses are forbidden?

- Fraud, scams, phishing and any use that deceives people or businesses.
- Impersonating a person or a company.
- Receiving codes for an account that is not yours, or taking over an account.
- Getting around a ban, a suspension or a limit that a service applied to you.
- Spam, harassment, and anything illegal where you or the service are.
- Banking, payment and government services: our numbers are not offered for them.

## Do I have to follow the rules of the service I sign up to?

Yes. Many services limit how many accounts one person may open or require a number you control in the long term. You are responsible for following the terms of the service that sends the code.

*What services say about phone numbers (read on 2026-10-18)*

| Service | Rule on its help pages | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Google | "we limit the number of accounts each phone number can create" | [Google Help](https://support.google.com/mail/answer/114129?hl=en) |
| Microsoft | "Excessive or repetitive requests to alternative emails or phone numbers can cause us to block you" | [Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/help/409090c4-92b5-42b9-8ae6-bcc97e62fc48) |
| Telegram | "Each phone number is a separate account on Telegram." | [Telegram FAQ](https://telegram.org/faq) |
| Apple | "You can't use a phone number that's already in use by another Apple Account." | [Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/en-us/105034) |
| OpenAI | A phone number can be used for verification up to 3 times (paraphrased) | [OpenAI Help](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/8983031) |
| Discord | A number linked to another Discord account cannot be added again (paraphrased) | [Discord Support](https://support.discord.com/hc/hi-in/articles/6181726888215-Verification-Required-FAQ) |

## Why are these rules strict?

Phone numbers are a common tool of fraud. In October 2025 Europol announced "Operation SIMCARTEL", a takedown of a SIM-box service that rented phone numbers to criminals, according to press reports. Microsoft writes that "SMS-based authentication is now a leading source of fraud". We want our numbers used for the honest cases listed above, and we close accounts that are not.

## What happens if the rules are broken?

We close accounts that break this policy, without refund of the balance where the law allows. Report abuse to [abuse@realsimnumbers.com](mailto:abuse@realsimnumbers.com) with the number and the date of the SMS.

## Related pages

- [Terms](https://realsimnumbers.com/terms)
- [No-KYC policy](https://realsimnumbers.com/no-kyc)
- [Privacy](https://realsimnumbers.com/privacy)

## Sources

1. [Google Help: verify your account](https://support.google.com/mail/answer/114129?hl=en) (checked 2026-10-18)
2. [Microsoft Support: security info and verification codes](https://support.microsoft.com/help/409090c4-92b5-42b9-8ae6-bcc97e62fc48) (checked 2026-10-18)
3. [Microsoft Support: SMS codes for personal accounts](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accounts-billing/manage/microsoft-to-stop-sending-sms-codes-for-personal-accounts) (checked 2026-10-18)
4. [Telegram FAQ](https://telegram.org/faq) (checked 2026-10-18)
5. [Apple Support: Apple Account phone number](https://support.apple.com/en-us/105034) (checked 2026-10-18)
6. [The Hacker News: Europol dismantles SIM farm network (Oct 2025)](https://thehackernews.com/2025/10/europol-dismantles-sim-farm-network.html) (checked 2026-10-18)

---

RealSIM Numbers: RealSIM Numbers is a non-VoIP (real SIM) provider of virtual phone numbers for receiving SMS, paid in crypto with no ID upload.