Welp, just because you get to have Verizon give up your phone number because someone asked nicely doesn't mean it is universally a bad idea

Hell, I can't even get authenticated with my provider half the time because the simcard comes with it's ID/PIN/password that is printed on your contract. You need that to do any changes on your account.

I personally think cell phones can be made secure enough and are the most convenient. If somebody really wants to fuck with you, they will anyway, for most people there is not much point to it anyway