Richard -
Does this CC profiling include debit card purchases?
Frank, , Age: 35
If you use encryption on a thumb drive, you should be aware of this security hole.
URL #1: http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=6655&tag=nl.e589
Sebastian, , Age: 59
Mike - I've looked over the k7.net website. Can you elaborate more on which of their services you use and why?
Frank, , Age: 35
John, thank you for the helpful info regarding your VISA debit card. I will open a second account at my credit union to protect the bulk of my money, and use the new debit card in lieu of a credit card.
J.J., I will follow your example and stay at more upscale hotels! I think the lower end ones may be more paranoid and rigid due to less attractive clientele, although I may still call in advance regarding policies. I'm afraid I don't trust my luck. Thanks for your help!
Mike
I just wanted to thank you for the feedback you offered. Your response was very specific and direct. You also come at it (my questions) from a sharper perspective. Very helpful! And a breath of fresh air, I might add, compared to some of the other responses. I've printed your post and will take much of your advice into account when making my final decisions.
Yes, I have read HTBI. Let me state up front that my only reason for delving into HTBI is to keep large assets out of my name and away from the litigious- minded Americans I walk amongst daily. I will only be using this specific LLC to purchase the estate. The deposit info you gave was what I was looking for. HTBI did mention such briefly in the but I was looking for some recent real-world experience from those who have tried such in the past 12-24 months. That's why I posed the question. So I appreciate the insight you gave (even more so coming from a Californian). Very smart to think in terms of curt paper trails that do not link. NOT tying the utilities to the LLC leaves less of a paper trail and will definitely be the route I take.
I was considering opening a bank acct in the name of the estate LLC so that the utilities could be paid via direct withdrawal. It would just tie things together neatly and make it easier, but I also see the drawback as you kindly pointed out in your post. I recently talked to a local community bank and there is just no way around the SSN# which is a deal breaker.
I have not looked into K7.net. I'm on my way there after I leave this site.
Mike, thanks again for kindly extending your hand. Here's to positive energy and abundance on to you in the New Year.
Frank, , Age: 35
As highlighted by Mr. Luna's recent border crossing, computers can easily throw a wrench in things, even if you do not own one. First, on your own PC, particularly laptops, use an app called TrueCrypt. It's been covered here in the past. It will create an encrypted volume of any size which can then be disguised with an ordinary filename. Second, I own several laptops, all of which except the very newest I consider to be throwaways. I use an app called BC Wipe to regularly wipe free space after backing up personal data to a thumb (usb) drive. Third, even if you do not own a computer, your privacy is very much affected by the data culture, as anyone a victim of identity theft has found out the hard way. State & local govt's are increasingly turning to Google for computer services with nary a thought for our privacy. Keeping up on computer security trends is increasingly important.
URL #1: http://philosecurity.org/
Carl, , Age: 43
There is a new law in Oklahoma that will make it a crime to block or obstruct any entrance to you home. This is in reference to houses used for drug use and with the large number of wrong address raids, even if you are innocent but have reinforced your house this can happen: "The law carries punishment of imprisonment of not more than five years or by a fine up to $10,000 or by both." I prefer the 5 rings of defense outlined in your book Invisible Money.
URL #1: http://www.tulsabeacon.com/?p=3269
Hu, , Age: 54
This may not work where you are, but for me it did.
I am in Virginia and I can do certain DMV transactions Online, one is changing my address.
First I had to set up an Online account. They sent me a PIN to my regular address. Once I had the PIN I could make address changes. So when it was time for my yearly registration, I used my new address...which in my case is an Online PO Box.
When I had to renew my drivers license, I could do so Online, so I used the PO Box address.
Chris, , Age: 45
In Tennessee they will only list a residential address on your drivers license. Any suggestions on what to do to keep my real address private.
chris, , Age: 43
Once you recommended the post office trash as a source of junk mail envelopes. I just witnessed an argument at the local post office where a postal worker demanded someone return magazines to the open trash can he had just taken them from. Any legal basis either way?
Mkinzi, , Age: 43
"That reader probably encountered an overly zealous Postal Worker. I'm sure a little discretion should be applied when gathering some of those junk envelopes. I don't believe I have ever heard of a rule to not allow customers from taking some of the trash. At the office I work at they might even encourage customers to help themselves to the trash!"
I am a bit puzzled over exactly HOW to implement some of your suggestions (in HTBI) here in Australia, since the laws about reporting transactions with large amounts of cash, and the ID required to open a bank account etc are considerable.
And I asked our solicitor, but sadly, we don't seem to have the equivalent of an LLC (I have a number of companies and trusts which own our houses and vehicles, but the law here says the company director's personal address is required). I am sure something can be worked out, and I will keep at it until I work it out. But if you have any Aussie-centric advice, I am all ears! er... eyes! :)
However, privacy with the phone and email stuff is simple, since that is what I do for others. I have a lot of clients with phone numbers in different parts of the country (or even untraceable ones in their own city) since I am the ISP/Telco who creates them. And I even have a few US clients who take advantage of that as well.
In fact after reading HTBI I am considering making the privacy aspect a feature of our business (see address below) as a different slant on the "Get Your Life Back" theme.
Cheerio from tropical North Queensland
Lance
URL #1: http://fairgocom.net.au
Hi Jack,
I was a bit disturbed by your recent blog posting regarding your entry into Canada. I know some of this has been beaten to death many times on your website, but I’d like to bring it up again, with a twist.
First. Two laptops. Bad idea.
Second, I think that all computer hard drives should be encrypted, whether or not they contain any sensitive data. There are many utilities out there to do this, but TrueCrypt is the free-est way to do it. You can have a pre-boot authentication password so that the operating system won’t boot until the password is entered. This is mainly to keep unauthorized eyes away from your data.
Third, there are several laptop vendors out there that provide easy-to-swap internal hard disks, but Lenovo (formerly IBM) is the one I prefer (I know you used to be a fan of ThinkPads, Jack. They are still pretty much the same as they were when they were under IBM’s wing). With my keychain Phillips screwdriver and a spare hard disk pre-mounted into a Lenovo hard disk cage ($10 on eBay), I can swap my hard disk out in under a minute.
Fourth, when traveling, keep a “clean” operating system installation on your “traveling” hard disk. If customs asks you to boot up your computer, give them the password. They will snoop, but won’t find much. You need to make sure you use the operating system a bit (maybe browse some generic websites) right before your trip, so that the timestamps on the files will be up to date.
Fifth, I just installed a pretty nice stereo system in one of my cars with my brother-in-law, and we became VERY familiar with how to tear apart the dash and door panels in a VERY short period of time. I noticed that there are many large cavities within many of the dash/door components that could easily fit a spare hard disk and/or flash drive. These areas could be used to store the “alternate” encrypted operating system hard disk that you install into your laptop when you arrive at your destination. Of course, if customs rips apart your car, you will need to come up with a pretty good explanation as to the reason a storage device is hidden within it.
Sixth, if step five is too risky for you, there are alternate methods to utilize. You could use a hollow nickel with a concealed Micro-SDHC flash card. You could try to snail-mail your hard disk or flash drive to your destination in advance (not my cup of tea). Or, you could download your files to your computer from a remote server once you reach your destination, then wipe your hard disk clean or reimage it before you return to the States.
The fact of the matter is that even a “seasoned” white male is no longer safe when passing through customs. Customs agents have major chips on their shoulders, and would love nothing more than to catch the next terrorist and get their 15 minutes of fame on the local news. It really is a modern day witch hunt, especially after the recent events on Christmas day.
On the bright side, Jack, I honestly don’t believe they imaged your hard disks. Performing a hard disk sector-by-sector copy definitely takes longer than 55 minutes.
Here is my professional recommendation. When traveling across International lines, carry one clean laptop with you, with a hollow nickel on your person concealing a flash card with your data stored in an innocuously named TrueCrypt volume. If that is too risky for you, keep the files you require for your trip in password protected .zip files stored on your web-based email server (Yahoo, Gmail, etc) and download the files once you reach your destination. If necessary, email any altered files back to yourself and/or securely delete any untouched files and wipe your temp files clean with CCLeaner (freeware) before returning home.
Or, like you said, you could just leave the laptop at home…
This guy should have taken a look a your book before he headed up to Canada and kicked his heels up!
I appreciate the use to technology to catch a criminal, but it also let's the public know EXACTLY how free flowing information is these days!
URL #1: http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/warcraft-helps-catch-a-crook/1383804
I'm looking for any recommendations on a computer and internet security consultant to consult with prior to purchasing and upgrading new hardware and software. Any suggestions?
Eric, , Age: 37
Had an email a while back saying that htbi would be available as a free download from the publisher. Did this happen, and if so, what is the url? Thanks.
danny, , Age: 44
People always say they are afraid of Google and how much information it has on them. The truth is: people shouldn't be afraid of Google. They should be afraid of credit card companies.
I have access to your full order history. I know everything you ever bought with a credit card. And yes, there are a lot of studies done on credit card purchases.
Some years ago, someone wrote a paper claiming he could get the age, gender and race only from the credit card purchase history. It worked very well. Today, with your full purchase information, we can even "guess" your income range, number of defendants and even weight. We have a statistical profile of every customer. We can even calculate the odds you eat at McDonald's today, considering you ate there once every X day. In 98% of the time, this model is very accurate.
One drawback is that it requires a lot of information. That is why it takes a few years and then, we are fully able to track you. In many cases, we compare the profile calculated from your purchase history to who you really are (and you thought they asked your income for credit validation) to further improve our models, and track fraud, most of all. It's so sophisticated that if you order products a person in your group never ordered, your card will get automatically locked.
Every time you use your credit card, you leave tracks. And none of it is private. Any police officer can get every purchase you ever made - and it can be used against you. There are many, many cases where credit card purchase history were used to prove DUI (you took a large tab at a bar) indirectly.
Source below
URL #1: http://www.reddit.com/comments/al3tl/iama_fraud_prevention_agent_for_a_major_credit/
Wish to elevate my level of security, only using a cell phone to return phone calls, keeping battery removed at other times. Have not had a pager since high school, which I bought at Radio Shack. Any places left that still sell PRE-PAID pagers? If not, how would you suggest I be able to receive messages at home? Constantly calling in to an ANSWERING SERVICE would be costly and awkward.
Thad, , Age: 34
Is there a way to open a checking account without a SSN#? Perhaps, there is a way to open an account with an online bank or a Canadian Bank account. If there is such a way, would I need a ghost address in that bank's location?
Don, , Age: 40
Marissa,
In response to Question #2, using a Visa debit card is what we do. You need to take an additional step though to keep the money in your accounts safe.
Most debit accounts are tied to your checking or savings and will automatically pull money from one of those accounts if the debit account is overdrawn. The manager of our credit union created a savings account (for the debit card) that was not linked to our other accounts in the system. We can transfer money to and from the account but it will not pull from the other accounts if overdrawn. We just have to ensure we stay on top of the amount in the account to ensure we don't overdraw it. We have no other credit cards and use this Visa card for all online and store purchases and have never had a problem. Hope this helps.
I recently stayed at a Travelodge motel. I was told that they needed to keep a photocopy of my ID (passport, in my case) for 1-7 years for corporate audits. The manager told me that the files were kept offsite and shredded when the audit was complete. No info was recorded in their computer except my name, plus verbally given address and phone number.
I paid cash, but they told me that even if I'd had a credit card, they would still have needed to keep a copy of my ID for the audit. I went along with it because I was exhausted and ill, but it made me very uncomfortable.
I will need to travel several times in the near future, and I would like some advice.
1) My credit cards (which I never use) are under my old name, and do not match my current ID. I am reluctant to update and use my credit cards since I assume the credit bureaus and/or credit card companies will sell my new name and current address to anyone who wants it. Does that sound like a reasonable assumption?
2) Has anyone successfully used a bank debit card with a VISA logo for buying plane tickets, renting cars and hotels, etc.? I am thinking about opening a bank account specifically for this purpose. That way, if the card is compromised, it will only put at risk however much money I have in that account, leaving my regular account safe. Good idea? Silly idea?
3) Has anyone used prepaid cards to rent hotels or cars, etc.? I know that you can get them with your name on them, but you have to fill out a lot of personal info. How would the privacy risk of these cards compare to updating my info on my regular credit cards and thus, the credit bureaus?
4) Are most hotels nowadays insisting on keeping a copy of ID, or is this a Travelodge quirk? I don't mind showing my ID, but having them keep it for years concerns me due to the risk of it being stolen.
5) Any suggestions on finding the most privacy friendly hotels? Do most of you call in advance to ask about their requirements and procedures?
6) If I do need to start using a real credit card, can anyone suggest a privacy friendly one? Ones to avoid?
BTW, my main privacy concern is to keep my personal info from being sold/and or distributed, especially over the internet on those people search websites, etc. I am also somewhat concerned about preventing identity theft.
Thanks for the advice!
Since I first read HTBI I have used my passport for ID when flying. Recently I screwed up. I got to the airport only to discover I had forgotten my passport and didn't have time to go back and get it. Luckily (or maybe unluckily) I keep my DL in my car...otherwise I would have had no ID to use. So I used my DL for ID.
For some reason unknown to me I've been put on some "list" which prevents me from checking in online or even at a kiosk at the airport. I always have to talk to a live agent so they can "clear my name" whatever that means. I've never had any problem whatsoever getting on a plane but it's an additional hassle having to wait in line to talk to an agent and as far as I can tell it's basically impossible to get off this "list" once you are on it.
My DL is from a different state with a different ghost address than I used to buy the ticket so the address information conflicts (not a problem when using a passport for ID)
I watched closely when I checked in to see what the agent typed in. My DOB was typed in several times but DOB is on my passport. My address was never typed in. Some number I didn't recognize was typed in which I thought may have been the DL# but it wasn't. On my return flight, there was a tall partition obstructing my view so I couldn't see what was typed in.
Going forward I will obviously use my passport when flying but have I done anything to compromise my privacy with this blunder?
As the government reviews how an alleged terrorist was able to bring a bomb onto a U.S.-bound plane and try to blow it up on Christmas Day, the Transportation Security Administration is going after bloggers who wrote about a directive to increase security after the incident.
TSA special agents served subpoenas to travel bloggers Steve Frischling and Chris Elliott, demanding that they reveal who leaked the security directive to them. The government says the directive was not supposed to be disclosed to the public.
Frischling said he met with two TSA special agents Tuesday night at his Connecticut home for about three hours and again on Wednesday morning when he
was forced to hand over his lap top computer.
Frischling said the agents threatened to interfere with his contract to write a blog for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines if he didn't cooperate and provide the name of the person who leaked the memo.
"It literally showed up in my box," Frischling told The Associated Press. "I do not know who it came from." He said he provided the agents a signed statement to that effect.
URL #1: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091231/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_airliner_attack_tsa_subpoenas
Invisible Money is worth the price.Don't be so cheap!
---Follow Mr.Luna's advice:Rent do not own if you value privacy.
---When you own anything worth insuring,then society has to know who you are.Why serve the Establishment when you wish to hide from it?
Mr. Luna:
Forgive me if you've discussed this publicly, but do you recommend obtaining a license for a concealed handgun for personal protection as part of the overall privacy lifestyle, for one's overall well-being?
Some background on me: I'm a 34 year old white male, entrepreneur. I have assets, and other people I interact with on a daily basis can probably ascertain this. So I want to protect my assets, and I also have a young family.
Many readers here have mentioned the increasing "police state" in U.S., decreasing privacy. I feel this in my everyday life. Although I pay the brunt of taxes in my society, I feel that no one is really looking out for my own protection at the end of the day: the police, the legal system, or government.
Interested in your thoughts. And keep up the great work.
However, before you do anything, read my e-book Dirty Tricks for Savvy Chicks. I discuss handguns vs. shotguns for home protection.
Hi Frank,
When maintaining your privacy, it’s important that you try to keep things as simple as possible. Also, have you read “How to Be Invisible” yet? Some of your questions are answered in that book, but here is my feedback:
First, it’s awesome that you are paying cash for your house and are putting it into the name of an LLC. This will prevent people from locating your home address by searching the county records. However, I would highly recommend that you do not use that LLC or even the same company name for any other purpose. The more items or services you have tied to a single entity name, the higher the risk that someone will be able to put the pieces together and find you.
Next, utility companies could care less who owns the property where the service will be located. Basically, anyone can sign up for utilities for any address. I personally believe that starting utilities in the name of a company can potentially draw more attention to you than you’d like. Instead, ask each of the utility companies if you can start service without providing an SSN or submitting to a credit check. Sometimes you can avoid this by simply putting down a deposit (sometimes as low as $50). In that case, you should start the service in ANY non-company name (John Smith, etc). I suggest that you start each utility in a different name (once again, less pieces to tie together). If a utility demands a credit check or SSN, either look for an alternative that does not, or use a nominee (see Jack’s nominee book).
Also, you didn’t specifically mention this in your post, but make sure you have a secure ghost address, preferably very far away from where you live. This is good for a million reasons, but especially for when you register your vehicles into the name of a company and need a location for the DMV to mail the new title and registration renewal documentation. Also, make sure you have an anonymous prepaid cell phone with a far away area code. Also get a K7.net phone number. They are extremely handy!
As for banking, opening a bank account in the name of an LLC will eliminate most (if not all) of your privacy. In addition, banking laws require either a tax ID or SSN of a primary LLC member to open the account. Also, you will most likely have to register the NM LLC in the state where you open the bank account. BSA (Bank Secrecy Act) laws make it next to impossible to have an anonymous bank account that you personally open. You will either need to have a nominee open a bank account for you (see Invisible Money) or use cash, money orders, and prepaid credit/debit cards to pay your utilities. In fact, you should be using these methods to pay for everything from this point forward. There is no point in having an anonymous utility or service, only to pay it with a bank account that can be traced back to you.
In closing, I highly suggest that you read all of Jack’s books (starting with How to Be Invisible, if you haven’t read it already). Each provides valuable information to help you better protect your privacy and personal assets. Invisible Money and Skip College are my personal favorites.
Good luck…
You have 2 basic questions.
1. Regarding personal info demanded by utilities, there is lots of info in this area in HTBI and elsewhere on this site. Suggest you re-read ALL OF IT and make up your own mind how to proceed. IMO, using a nominee and offering a deposit (since there will be no credit history, right?) may be a good way to go. Make sure billing is in the company name only and mail goes to another address.
2. You say NM LLCs do not come with a Tax ID. Of course not! Tax ID numbers
are issued by IRS after you form the LLC and apply to IRS. For privacy, use a nominee (or business services which obtain such numbers). To open a bank account (or to "do business" with the LLC), you will usually need a Tax ID number. (If you find a US bank that will open an account without a Tax ID, please let us know!) They WILL ask for your personal info (ID, SSN, etc.). Without it, they will likely not open the account. Have you thought of using a nominee for that?
Finally, what about no bank account at all (and paying by money orders)?
Then maybe you don't need the Tax ID number if you will not be "doing business" with the LLC. If unsure, check with a CA attorney knowledgable in LLCs.
I'm planning on using an LLC to buy my home. Cash. Paid in full.
When I contact the utility companies to have services cut on, they will require some personal info no? But the house is owned by a corp not an individual (at least that's my argument). How do I get around NOT giving my personal info to the utilities?
Has anyone had any experience opening a bank acct in an LLC name? They need a tax id # but New Mexico LLCs do not provide tax ids. I want to attach a bank account to pay the utilities anonymously.
Please share your experiences with these dilemmas.
Has anyone purchased Luna's Invisible Banking? Recommend or no?
Frank, , Age: 35
According to PogoWasRight.org, a Web site that I often visit, FaceBook has recently broken its promise to keep its users' list of "Facebook friends" confidential. It did so by amending its privacy policy to re-classify its user "frinds list" as Publicly Available Information (PAI).
Speculation is that FaceBook "sold out" its users' private information for cash, in order to avoid an impending bankruptcy.
If you care about your privacy, be VERY LEERY of using social networking services!
URL #1: http://www.pogowasright.org/?cat=5&paged=2
All,
It is still possible to sign up for DirecTV anonymously and without a contract. Here is how you do it:
1. Call them from an anonymous phone to sign up for service (this cannot be done over the Internet). Because you are calling a toll-free number, blocking your number doesn’t do any good. It will repeat your number back to you and ask if it is the home number where you want to install service. Just say yes (it doesn’t matter).
2. Once you get a sales rep on the phone, make up a story about how you are moving in 9-12 months to a facility that doesn’t allow satellite dishes, so you don’t want a contract. Tell them you are interested in the “Purchase Option”. This means that you buy the equipment instead of leasing it (it is yours to keep forever). The rep will try to convince you to sign a contract – just stick to your guns. The equipment comes with a 90 day warranty, and no equipment protection plan is available for it.
3. The rep will then tell you that the equipment must be purchased in “pairs”. This seems stupid, but it is apparently their policy. What this means is that you will have to buy two receivers, the first type is your choice (an HD-DVR receiver is $200), while the 2nd is forced as a plain old standard (non-HD / non-DVR) receiver ($70). If you ask the rep if you can return the 2nd receiver or substitute a different model for it, they will tell you that they personally can’t do anything, but can transfer you to the “Customer Installations” department after the order is placed and that they will (supposedly) help you do either.
4. There will also be a $50 activation fee, but the installation and dish are free and no credit check is required because you are purchasing the equipment. You can therefore sign up with any name you choose. Because there is no contract, you will need to pay the full price for the monthly package you choose (for example, Choice Extra + HD + DVR is $76/month).
5. The installing technician will deliver and setup the equipment (you need to make sure he brings brand new equipment out – they are known to try and slip in refurbished items), but the initial equipment purchase must be paid in advance by some form of credit card. The sales rep specially told me that prepaid credit cards are fine for this. The first month’s bill will arrive 5 days after installation, and payments can be mailed in or paid online with any form of credit card (prepaid is also fine for this). You can also prepay your service for up to 12 months.
So how does this stack up against signing up for service with a contract? Well, by signing a two year contract you will get 3 free months of HBO and Starz that you MUST cancel in advance or you will be automatically signed up for the service under the full contract terms (stuck with it). You can opt out of this when you sign up for service with a contract, but only over the phone and you must make sure the rep triple-confirms that they have opted you out of it.
You will save about $26/month for the first 12 months ($312 total) by signing a two year agreement. Starting with month 13 the full price resumes. Activation is also free with a contract. When all is said and done, you will pay about $612 more over the first two years for anonymous and contract-free DirecTV service. You do get to keep the equipment, but in two years will it still work and/or be worth anything?
In my opinion, if you don’t plan on moving to a location that has a ban on satellite dishes within the next two years, you are better off having a nominee sign you up for a two year contract. DirecTV allows two free satellite dish moves per year, with the initial installation counting as one “move”. Some risks are that DirecTV’s service may be terrible in your area or that they may drop a network that you must have (just like Time Warner is dropping FOX). If you do ever need to cancel the contract, the cost will be $300-$450 depending on how much of the contract is left.
Good luck…
Have you any opinion on the "thin computing" technology? That is, laptops with no hard drives and all information is accessed at a centralized data center so there is absolutely nothing on the local computer in the event it is stolen, etc. I saw this on from a company called wyse.com.
Eric, , Age: 37
This will be more important to corporations and high net worth individuals, inventors, law enforcement, etc. Not necessarily suburban soccer-moms.
Cell phone security algorithms have been cracked. The Association that represents wireless companies makes an inane, self-serving retort to the revelation in the article linked below.
URL #1: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/29/technology/29hack.html
Drake, , Age: 34
Hi JJ Luna,
I am currently involved in MLM or network marketing. Now, I don't do MLM old school - go out and try to prospect. I use the internet for 100% of my business marketing endeavors. Meaning I write articles, make videos, have a website and use social media to get the business across.
Now my question to you is: How can protect my privacy while still marketing online and creating content? What I mean by maintaining my privacy is exposure with photos, legal name,or anything that may give my identity away etc...
what do you suggest?
Thanks,
Vee.
Vee, , Age: 28
New Mexico is a great place to be invisible. But... if you're going to move here from Podunk Alabama, go through all of the steps to make yourself invisible including registering your vehicle in an LLC, please take to time to remove the vinyl sticker of the oddly named dealership in Podunk that you bought the vehicle from. When a hyper visually observant person such as myself is sitting behind you I can't help but notice that the vehicle was purchased from Podunk Alabama and wonder why anyone would move from Podunk to Albuquerque. A job... maybe. Trying to be invisible... more likely. If I notice it, others will eventually as well. People, please remove dealership stickers, plate frames and other identifiers when you move. Blend in. *Note: "Podunk" is a mythical place.
Richard, , Age: 42
There's a lot of talk here about car registration and privacy. When I lived in a larger city, I didn't have a car, and I signed up for a Car-Sharing service with a private company. These are in many major cities across the country. My DL had my ghost address, and I paid them my monthly membership with money orders.
With a membership in a car-sharing organization, I did not need to purchase additional insurance either.
Daily rates now for car-sharing programs are almost what one would pay when renting a car - but you can do it without giving away a credit or debit card number!
I took public transit anonymously, and when I took trips, I opted to take the bus. To this day, I have NEVER been asked to see an ID to purchase a bus ticket with cash (I give my first and middle name only for their records), nor show my ID to board a bus!
It pays to think sustainably too, when thinking of one's privacy, in my opinion.
Has anyone been able to use prepaid credit cards for Netflix recently? Thanks in advance for any answers.
Kim, , Age: 32
I'm confused as to why the fellow who is using Google Voice is making his outbound calls from a separate phone. It would seem like he should be calling his GV number from his registered prepaid phone (the one that GV sends his calls TO), then pressing "2" to place a call. That way, the GV number is what shows up in the caller ID of the person receiving the call, not the prepaid cell number.
The second prepaid phone on a different carrier should only be used for people who know his direct phone number and not his GV number. This would be his most inner circle of friends and family, and this phone would also be used for personal voicemails. You do not want your personal friends leaving personal voicemails on your GV number!
I'm not qualified to say whether GV has the ability to track location, but I would assume that they do, because GV *has* to know where the call is being routed in order to put it through. Once they have that phone number, it's just one more step to track where that phone number is located (triangulation and/or GPS/911 tracking through law enforcement).
I would suggest that he simply separate business from personal, and use the GV number paired with his prepaid phone strictly for business use. Also, go to the GV website and delete all voicemails once you've listened to them.
I set up a google voice account with my laptop at the local coffeehouse that I only frequent when checking my google voice account on-line. I've got the number forwarded to a PRE-PAID cell phone I keep ON all the time, as my job requires me to be reachable 24/7. I only receive google voice calls on this cell phone. If I have to make an outbound call, it's with another PREPAID cell phone from a different carrier than the first, always making the call when travelling in my car, more than a mile from my home. Obviously, I remove the battery from this phone immediately after a call is ended, always at least a mile from my home. Sometimes inconvenient, yes, but more secure, yes?
My only concern is that somehow my anonymous PREPAID cell phone for receiving calls will share info. with GOOGLE, whose business model is to know EVERYTHING. I used to have a pager but there nearly impossible to obtain from a local merchant like Radio Shack, etc.
URL #1: http://www.google.com/voice
On Fred's name issue. Before reading HTBI, I always foolishly gave out my real info! Ugh... no more after reading HTBI and shortly there after being stalked. I always have several stage names ready in case that situation arises.
In addition, since I speak in tongues, I will ramble off some tongues and then "uhhh no speekee eengleesh!
The utter confused look on peoples face is really amusing. You could ramble off some gibberish and that would do fine.
I also use a plethora of stage names at different places I go to on a regular basis like the popular coffee chain that will always ask what a persons name is so they can write it on the cup. If they are ever questioned by someone who has my picture and inquires what my name is then that will be another small layer of mis-information.
BTW.. HTBI is where I got the stage name idea from.
Has anyone ever heard of INFRAGARD? Google it. In short, this allows neighbors and many other everyday people to watch us and report directly to the FBI if they think we are being suspicious in anyway.
"I'm applying for a second EU passport and I've noticed that one of the questions posed is if I hold another EU passport and if so, to give the passport number.
I will be appyling for this passport no matter what (pretty much) but I do intend to leave the field blank and see what happens. I don't see why the second country needs this information. Has anyone else come across this or have any comment? Thanks."
Be careful and read the regs carefully. Two possible bad things can happen: First, failing to disclose your other passport might cause both to be invalidated if they twig to it; and second, it may be a criminal offense to "fraudulently" obtain a second passport.
And it's CERTAINLY a crime to try to get a second passport in another name, even if you figure out how to do so.
But, you can always say, if you leave it blank, that you "overlooked" that box. Just DO NOT LIE about it if asked.
A1. Yes, the phone can be tracked even if the phone does not have GPS to a lesser degree of accurary; the tracking is necessary in order for the phone to operate.
A2. The only sure way to not be tracked is remove the battery. The phone can even be reprogrammed remotely to have a live microphone while the phone is turned off by the user. The DOJ admits that it has done so in several cases.
I'm applying for a second EU passport and I've noticed that one of the questions posed is if I hold another EU passport and if so, to give the passport number.
I will be appyling for this passport no matter what (pretty much) but I do intend to leave the field blank and see what happens. I don't see why the second country needs this information. Has anyone else come across this or have any comment? Thanks.
RE: Sebastian 6915
JJ:
In my experience, many prepaid phones have a setting for location; the choices are usually "on" and "e911 only" or something similar.
Q-1. Does anyone know if the phone can be tracked when the setting is "e911 only"?
Q-2. If the phone is turned off (i.e. it is set NOT to receive or send signals but the battery is still in the phone), can it still be tracked?
Where can I find info on this area?
Charles , , Age: 58
Whenever I've filled out medical forms I leave the space for SS# blank, if they demand it, I fill it in.
However, having dyslexia can make it difficult to fill out correctly, but having possible errors in the SS# has never been a problem.
My copy of" How to be invisible" was revised in 2004. Is this the latest revision? Or what is? Thanks,Craig
craig, , Age: 53
Last night on the local news there was a story about a thief who robbed a small store. The clerk said the worst part is that the thief took her DL and read it then made her write down her name and address on a piece of paper. He gave back her DL but took the written paper with him. She thought he did that to intimidate her from calling the police, because now, he knows where she lives. He also now has a sample of her handwriting.
If she had a ghost address on her DL, she wouldn't be so worried. Would a LLC have helped?
I am a privacy newbie and have just gotten to level 1. I just moved into a new neighborhood which appears to be occupied by a lot of retired seniors. So far I have been approached and asked my first and last name, where I work, what happened to the previous owner, etc.. What is the best way to handle this kind of situation without being talked about as the guy who wont talk to anyone or am I being too paranoid? So far I have told everyone my real name, which is just by habit. I didn't reveal where I work but my occupation. Any advice, would be much appreciated.
Fred, , Age: 35
... Perhaps some of you readers can offer suggestions?
This article is about the sale of location information to government agencies. Other telecom companies are probably doing the same.
URL #1: http://arstechnica.com/telecom/news/2009/12/sprint-fed-customer-gps-data-to-leos-over-8-million-times.ars
Sebastian, , Age: 59
RE: Neil 6915
Yes, I ran into this problem a few years ago. My primary care physician referred me to a lab to have some blood work done. The lab did not want to do anything before I filled out their paperwork COMPLETELY. (As you can guess, they insisted on a SSN. I refused to provide it.)
I told them if they had any questions to contact my insurance company or my primary care physician if they wanted a reference, but I would not be providing the SSN.
nor would I be paying upfront. After
contacting my insurance company while I was in the lab's office, they backed down.
Now, you have hit someone with a bureaucratic mindset. Since you offered to pay upfront, their excuse of extending credit is bogus.
Therefore, there is another reason.
Maybe they want to check a database to see if you are the type of person who sues physicians? Maybe they are just being pig-headed? Who knows?
I do not know if OR law prohibits their behavior. Some OR attorney might
know that.
However, here is an idea. Explain your problem to your primary care physician. Get him on your side. Ask your physician to directly contact the director of the neurosurgeons private practice (or whoever at the private practice is the ultimate decision-maker), mention that he referred you to their private practice, and ask that person to make an exception in your case. Try that first. It has worked for me in the past. (Sometimes doctors think more of other doctors, i.e. they think less of patients.)
Good luck.
Charles, , Age: 58
We can extrapolate from this.
The planes also are equipped with sensors that can monitor insurgents' conversations and help pinpoint their location, said Jeffrey Richelson, author of the "U.S. Intelligence Community," a detailed compendium now in its fifth edition.
It has been reported that ICE uses drones on the boarders. Are they similarly equipped? What prevents them from straying inland?
URL #1: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aCH7kfwvmw6M
Drake, , Age: 34
I have been trying to obtain the services from a group of well known neuro surgeons. I was referred to them by my primary care giver. When they asked for my ss#, I told them I did not provide personal information of that nature because of identity theft issues in the past and I've been instructed to never provide it unless there is proof a legal requirement is provided. They said it was simply their policy becasue they are extending me credit. I told them that I would pay cash upfront for my appointments and any proceure that they could keep until my insurance paid off. The director of the facility said that I could pay up front but that I would still have to provide my ss# after I paid before I could be seen. He said they have a private practice so they can require any information they wish and that if I didn't want to comply, I should go elsewhere. I've not run across this problem until now. In all other cases I've refused to provide a ss#, they've respected my privacy. Has anyone else had this type of experience? Are they breaking any law by requireing me to give this number for no legitimate reason?
Neil, , Age: 40
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