Setting up Utilities without using the Mark of the Beast

This was a challenge. Especially with the power company. However, we have succeeded in getting all of the utilities into our name so that the landlord does not have to pay them and bill them to us.

The Water and the Gas companies were no big deal, except that you have to do it in person if you do not bear the Mark. The second question out of everyone's mouth is "Social?" I am very social, I answer. But that is not what they want to hear. However, going into the office and showing the Affidavits of Identification that we have made (complete with "ID number" that we make up), was sufficient. A letter of credit from an old utility company waives any deposits.

The cable company (for internet service) was a little worse. "Government-issued ID" is what they want. Sorry, no can do. I have no SSAN, so I cannot get state ID. Do you have a passport? Why would I need one of those in the land of my birth? Sorry, we cannot set up service without knowing who you are.

A bit of research into the laws of the state is the next order of business. In most states, I would have filed a complaint with the "civil rights" department of the state government. In Nevada, the "civil rights" department only handles "employment" issues. So who "regulates" the cable and electric companies? In Nevada, it is the Public Utilities Commission. The statutes and regulations are pretty clear: They can do nothing outside their Tariff that is filed with the PUC. So let's take a look at the Tariff. No mention of an SSAN here (except for those on public assistance who need help with their bills). No mention of identification, government or otherwise here. I guess they are attempting to compel a contract that is not in keeping with their Tariff.

NRS ｧ 704.120. Commission may substitute just and reasonable rates, regulations, practices or services after investigation and hearing 1. If, upon any hearing and after due investigation, the rates, tolls, charges, schedules or joint rates shall be found to be unjust, unreasonable or unjustly discriminatory, or to be preferential, or otherwise in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, the commission shall have the power to fix and order substituted therefor such rate or rates, tolls, charges or schedules as shall be just and reasonable.

2. ****/If it shall in like manner be found that any/**** regulation, measurement, ****/practice/****, act or service ****/complained of is unjust, unreasonable, insufficient, preferential, unjustly discriminatory or otherwise in violation of the provisions of this chapter/****, or if it be found that the service is inadequate, or that any reasonable service cannot be obtained, ****/the commission shall have the power to substitute therefor such other/**** regulations, measurements, ****/practices/****, service or acts ****/and make such order relating thereto as may be just and reasonable/****.

3. When complaint is made of more than one rate, charge or practice, the commission may, in its discretion, order separate hearings upon the several matters complained of and at such times and places as it may prescribe.

4. ****/No complaint shall at any time be dismissed because of the absence of direct damage to the complainant/*.***

5. */***The commission may at any time, upon its own motion, investigate any of the/**** rates, tolls, charges, rules, regulations, ****/practices***/* and service, */**and, after a full hearing as above provided, by order, make such changes as may be just and reasonable, the same as if a formal complaint had been made.***/*

NAC 704.321 Terms of agreement with customer.

1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, ****/a utility may not enter into any agreement with a customer under terms which are inconsistent with the provisions of NAC 704.302 to 704.390, inclusive.***/*

2. Nothing in NAC 704.302 to 704.390, inclusive, shall be deemed to preclude a utility from entering into an agreement with a customer under terms which are more favorable to the customer than those provided by those sections.

So, I asked the customer service representative if I could talk to someone in their legal department. I was connected to Diane and I asked her the following questions:

1. Is your company regulated by the PUC? (yes)

2. Do you follow all of the regulations and tariffs published? (yes)

3. Can you force me to enter in to any agreement under terms that are inconsistent with the provisions of NAC 704.302 to 704.390, inclusive? (No)

4. Do you realize that I do not have an SSAN because of my religious beliefs and that I cannot get state issued photo ID for the same reason? (I do now).

5. Can you show me in the regulations or in the tariff a requirement that I give you an SSAN or show any identification in order to contract for service? (big silence)

Diane told me that she was going to call the corporate office and get back to me.

20 minutes later, she told me that my service was going to be connected and that someone would call me to set up an appointment. I get connected on Monday, between 10 and 1.

The electric company took 3 hours. We first went to the local office and talked to Darnell. He was kind, but not helpful. He was not willing to look at the tariff and show us the requirement. He used the "Nuremburg" defense: I am just following orders. I had Stumpy talk on the phone to Antoine, as she had done most of the research and had the "beligerent claimant" attitude down pat. Besides, I could always swoop in later and be "good cop" if they had enough of Stumpy. On the phone Antoine told us one thing and told Darnell something else. Stumpy told Antoine that we were coming downtown and that he had that amount of time to find the part of the Tariff that required an SSAN or government issued photo ID to set up service. When we got downtown, Antoine had completely changed his tune. He was courteous (instead of curt) and helpful (instead of helpless). The service set up was completed before we left.

So even in Las Vegas, people of faith can live without the Mark of the Beast or even government-issued identification.

Fancy that.

I ordered not one but both of the Canary Islands addresses from Rosie. So far, so good, the persons in a certain group (that I am anxious to get away from) have taken my story at face value. However, I suspect they may later check for any indication that I am ACTUALLY in the islands, and they have good resources. How can I do that without actually going over there (which I have no time to do)?

... Check with Rosie. Among other things, she once had a client send his ATM card to the islands, and the agent there made a few small withdrawals from time to time.

While I might be able to find a nominee for a day to obtain an EIN then resign, finding someone distant enough yet trusting enough to put his credit at risk is a daunting task.

... As you correctly say, they are a "monopoly," which means it's their way or the highway. (I once ran across a similar requirement with a trash-collecting company.)

Since you prefer not use a nominee, nor give your SSN, you have the choice of obtaining an EIN or using candles.

I have a PO Box. I understand Fed Ex and UPS will not deliver to PO Boxes but I just have those packages delivered to my office... but not in my name. I use my title (ie. director of business development). This is convenient since I don't need to check my po box daily for packages I'm expecting.

If it would be beneficial to have a CMRA, why? and which one do you recommend? I thought I read somewhere recently that you do not like UPS Stores for some reason.

Thank you.

Submitted Link #1: http://blog.invisible-privacy.com/...

... Apparently you've not read my current blog, correct? I've added the link, below.

"Perhaps someone can help me out with this one. If you need to obtain running water, electricity, heating, etc, in your house, how do you hide your home address from these service providers? Someone please enlighten me!"

Use a nominee or LLC for the house and utilities. (Use the line, I'm just the room mate, She is my Aunt and is at work etc.)

Use as little of the mans "data required" infrastructure as you can and live off grid.

Submitted Link #1: http://cheaprvliving.com/index.html...

... Brad, it may not be as easy as Jim says. Nominees are hard to find, and some utility companies still want your SSN even though you use an LLC. Sometimes you can get by with paying a large deposit in advance. If you have a common middle name and a common last name, perhaps you can go that route.

I understand you can have the bills mailed to a ghost address or PO Box after the fact, but I'm guessing that in order to receive these services, they will need your physical address. And, I'm guessing that agents from these companies may have to visit your house.

Someone please enlighten me!

I do automotive service and am running into trade in cars with bluetooth radios and integrated GPS units. They are many times pre loaded with the names address and even directions to the previous owners home, business and friends/family. To much personal info in my book. Be smart - Be aware!