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From / Date: |
Question / Answer: |
| 4406. |
Annabelle
Salt Lake City, UT
Age: 37
Jun 23, 2008
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renting
We read in How to Be Invisible that it is possible to rent an apartment without giving out your ssn; however, we are finding this nearly impossible (actually, it is impossible). Even offering to pay six months in advance does not work. We explain to people that we don't want to give out the numbers because of identity theft. We tell them we are willing to provide them current copies of our credit reports, police reports, and are willing to pay up to six months (cash)in advance if necesary, and the morons still won't do it. I work for the federal government and had to have a background check to be hired. We offer to let them talk to my employer and our current landlord (we've been here for 11 years, and always paid on time). There does not seem to be any way around this. We refuse to give out our ssns, but apparently we're going to have to be stuck where we are now forever, where they don't fix anything and are now wanting us to sign a lease, when we've been here for 11 years. What are we supposed to do to keep our privacy??
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Although you say "it is impossible," I disagree because I have rented without giving an SSN and so have many readers. However--no denying it--is is difficult! Perhaps some of you readers would care to comment, or offer a suggestion?
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| 4405. |
leonard
Columbia, SC
Age: 35
Jun 23, 2008
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anonymous car and insurance
a close and trusted friend has agreed to buy my auto, insure it in his name, and list me as the primary driver. is this essentially the same as a nominee relationship? how invisible does this make me on ownership and insurance?
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This will help you keep a low profile, but it is surprising that your friend would agree to all this. Was it really necessary?
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| 4404. |
Jay
Princeton Junction, NJ
Age: 51
Jun 23, 2008
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Defeating keyloggers
Courtesy of LifeHacker: a web browser add-on that scrambles your keystrokes as you type them, but descrambles them so that the application receives them correctly. That's what the free download does; there are for-pay versions that work with Microsoft Office apps.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.qfxsoftware.com/products.htm#personal...
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| 4403. |
Greg
Hotchkiss, CO
Age: 43
Jun 22, 2008
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Red light ticket cameras/gps
Link to an interesting article outlining a mainstream companies inclusion of red light camera locations in their products. These could be of use to avoid being caught in an area where you do not want your presence noted.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.newsweek.com/id/142634>1=43001...
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| 4402. |
Wendy
Richardson, TX
Age: 44
Jun 21, 2008
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Legit Library Cards
If you can't use a nominee (I use mine in another state to check out books and send them to me; it costs more but it's private for me), find out if your local library offers business accounts and [what] the application criteria are. (Some libraries in my area offer these.) Then, see if you can get an account in the name of an LLC and have the cards mailed to you. If you're asked for ID, show your passport but give either the ghost address of the LLC (it will probably have to be a local address) or a ghost address and phone number for yourself. Make SURE the library can mail you info so you don't have problems from mail being returned undeliverable on your library account. Return or renew books in a timely manner and, when you don't, keep your fines paid. In conservative areas of the country, don't make a big deal of controversial books (say you're doing research, if asked, but don't check out porn*, books on committing crimes or anything remotely close) and don't act nervous anyplace. Follow these rules, and you should be fine AND maintain your privacy at the library without providing flagrantly false information to a government/public agency.
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| 4400. |
Daniel
Minneapolis, MN
Age: 36
Jun 21, 2008
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RE- Library Card
[Edited fror length] When getting a library card here I took someone else's utility bill, typed out my name and ghost address in a similiar looking font on a word processor, printed it out, cut and pasted it over the original name and address on the bill, and then photocopied the bill. I took the photocopied bill with the original envelope it came in (utility logo and postmark on it) and presented it to the library as proof of address. [It was accepted.]
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| 4399. |
James
Salem, OR
Age: 65
Jun 20, 2008
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IronKey
In #4397, James wrote:
"I saw something vaguely similar sometime back called IIRC the 'Lexar JumpDrive Secure'. I'm not sure any pro paranoid would trust either w/o taking them apart and checking them at the level of individual logic gates.
One thing about IronKey is that you CANNOT take it apart and check it at the level of the individual logic gates. Because of the epoxy filling, trying to take it apart will destroy the internal circuit board and, very likely, destroy the cryptochip itself. If the cryptochip isn't destroyed, the next time it gets power it will wipe out and disable its internal flash RAM, thereby destroying the crypto keys and rendering anything stored on the accompanying memory chips inaccessible. It does the same thing if you try to guess the password -- after ten tries, it self-destructs.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.ironkey.com...
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| 4398. |
Steve
Los Angeles, CA
Age: 43
Jun 20, 2008
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Re-Library Card
This is how got my library card.
I typed out my "address" on an address label with lots of digits on the top line--like an account number.
I bought a Wall Street Journal,slapped the address label on the paper.
I went to the library smiling, Wall Street Journal under arm and explained, oh I just moved here two weeks ago from New York City and I need to look on the library internet to find a cheap car and then go take my drivers license test.
But I say I don't have anything with my current address on it, slowly walking away. Then suddenly I turn back and say. "Hey, look here's my Wall Street Journal" that's delivered to me every morning, it has my current address on it.
Library card issued!
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| 4397. |
James
Lewiston, ID
Age: 31
Jun 20, 2008
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comments on libraries, iron key and the Internet
(on libraries)
I would be tempted (if possible to use a card belonging to someone else, just don't check out anything political and return them on time. In my dorf every public school has a library branch and all students get a card.
(ironkey)
I saw something vaguely similar sometime back called IIRC the 'Lexar JumpDrive Secure'. I'm not sure any pro paranoid would trust either w/o taking them apart and checking them at the level of individual logic gates.
(internet security)
Don't make me laugh (almost) everything is sent as plaintext. Every email, website etc (except for a few thing like credit card info and passwords on 'secure' websites. and can be read by anyone between you and them (or anyone who has control of a box that is)
/excessive paranoia
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| 4396. |
Helena
Oak View, CA
Age: 30
Jun 20, 2008
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Alternate Names/Pseudonymns
I'm a little confused regarding the legality of using an alternate name or pseudonym. And despite my best efforts, I'm having trouble finding good info about it online. (I do have HTBI, but haven't finished reading this yet). The use of a nominee in my case is impossible. I am thinking of getting an LLC and am working through what might be good options based on what I've read so far. But, when is it "ok" to use a pseudonym...from a legal standpoint? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
...
If you haven't yet read chapter 9, do so. If you have, re-read it.
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| 4395. |
Sebastian
Knoxville, TN
Age: 58
Jun 20, 2008
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network privacy
I ran across this site on network forensics from a privacy viewpoint.
Submitted Link #1: http://exitthematrix.dod.net/matrixmirror/index.ht...
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| 4394. |
James
Salem, OR
Age: 65
Jun 19, 2008
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IronKey - encrypted USB flash drive
I have recently purchased some "IronKey" brand encrypted USB thumb drives. I'm still learning to use mine, but they look very promising for privacy purposes. Do you or any of your readers have comments?
Submitted Link #1: https://www.ironkey.com/...
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| 4393. |
Michael
Chicago
Age: 49
Jun 19, 2008
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NM LLC - Real Property Recording in San Antonio
Mr. Luna, I'm about to make a "all cash" real estate residential investment for less $70K. The money will be wired from one of your small mid-west bank recommendations to the title company. I order a NM LLC just to have it on the County Clerk online public display. Has anyone of your students or readers been successful recording the NM LLC in San Antonio, Texas?? Any insight is appreciated.
Michael
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I can't answer for San Antonio in particular, but there is normally no problem in using an LLC for a property purchase. (Sometimes, a one-page resolution is asked for, but you just make this up on your own and sign it.)
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| 4391. |
linda
San Francisco, CA
Age: 36
Jun 19, 2008
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Library Card
My pals and I recently tried and failed to obtain library cards in our alternate names. Of all the HTBI measures we've implemented so far, this has been by far the most difficult! We tried different branches of our City library on different days, and none of us were successful.
In addition to a utility or other bill in "your" name, they "require" photo ID. Does anyone have any thoughts about social engineering or other tactics (legal methods only, please)that might help us in this situation?
A couple of us would be somewhat willing to obtain a novelty photo ID (and hope they don't notice it's issued by "The Graduate School of Hard Knocks" or that it's a "Backseat Driver License" or whatever), but we'd want to make sure it was from a reliable vendor (i.e. that we'd actually obtain a quality product for our money). Any suggestions?
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Libraries are indeed tough. I suggest you use a middle and a last name -- that usually does work.
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| 4390. |
Marc
Burlingame, CA
Age: 44
Jun 19, 2008
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Re: PO Box info update request (4381)
In my opinion, the best option to such queries is to ignore them. Often they are form letters sent out to large groups, with a lot of work required to verify that everyone responded. My success rate so far with ignoring such requests from the PO & CMRAs has been 100%.
Closing the box preemptively may cause you to needlessly loose a hard to get resource.
Many agencies now try very hard to get some form of verified home address by requesting utility bills, statements or such. A 100% legal way to deal with this is to rent the absolute cheapest fleabag apt. or room on a month to month basis. Insist on a written lease before handing over any money. Get utilities and a cheap/free bank account.
Have all your requests for information already lined up, so that as soon as you have the bills and lease in hand, you go get your DL, PO boxes and such.
After you have everything you need, move. Total cost can be as low as $300, probably less if you are creative.
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| 4388. |
David
1000 Brussels Belgium
Age: 33
Jun 19, 2008
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Crime Free places
I intend to move from Belgium soon as violence and crime increases dramatically. What do you think about monaco? I heard you don´t have to be wealthy to be able to live and work there and crime is nonexistent. Are there any places in the USA that are crime free or almost?
Any information is much appreciated
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I have no info on Monaco but I do know of an area that is virtually crime free. I refer to Lopez, Shaw or Orcas island, in Washington state's San Juan Islands. (For more information, contact me via e-mail.)
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| 4386. |
Drake
LA, CA
Age: 33
Jun 19, 2008
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America is still the best
Finland, Sweden, and Norway make income statements public records.
Anyone can find out about ANYONE.
Complain all I want - at least we're not living in Socialist drudgery like that.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-06-18-sala...
...
Yes, the USA is still the "least worst" place in which to live. Taxes in Europe are much higher than in this country, and gas is now approaching $9.00 a gallon over there.
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| 4385. |
Sallie
Northridge, CA
Age: 25
Jun 18, 2008
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fingerprinting
I have been offered a job and the employer has given me a form to get "livescan" fingerprinting done along with a Department of Justice background check. While I have no worries that I would pass, the thought of electronic copies of my fingerprints being sent to the DOJ gives me the willies. What happens to those files? Would I just be added to thier database permanently? I need the $ in a really bad way but.... I've heard that for any job where you could come in contact with children this is now a federal requirement. I don't know if this is true, but yikes! I think I can guess as to what you would say to the question "should I take this job or not?", but "should I take this job or not?
Thanks, Sallie
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Take the job.
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| 4383. |
Nona
CA
Age: 43
Jun 18, 2008
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4th Amendment
If I were an employer and I'd provided my employees with a laptop or phone - I'd be mad about the ruling today. (Link below.)
As an employee, this is great news though.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-text19-200...
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I agree with your comment about "If I were an employer... "
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| 4382. |
Jenni
Zephyrhills, FL
Age: 50
Jun 18, 2008
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Terry - Credit Card
In your case the creditor probably charged off the account many years ago. Contact the top three credit reporting agencies, CRA’s, and get copies of your credit reports. The CRA’s can only list bad information for 7 years, 10 years for a bankruptcy. If any old information shows up contact the CRA and ask that it be removed.
Even if the data is not 7 years old you can often get it removed after a few years by writing the CRA and saying that the entry does not agree with your records. There is no need to be specific about what is in your records.
Let's use the example of an account where you were late with payments several times but did finally pay off the debt. The CRA gets your letter and must contact the creditor to verify the information reported. If the account was paid off and a couple years have passed the creditor would have to do a search of old records, possibly in storage, just to find your account. They would then have to write a letter to the CRA and provide the specific information. If the CRA does not have verification within 6 weeks of your letter they are required to remove the disputed information.
By the way, if you just happen to send this letter to the CRA’s at a time when everyone in the credit industry is busy, like mid November or early December, it is even less likely the creditor will get to this low priority project within the time limit.
Your best bet is to pay cash. If you do use credit, pay all your debts on time. If you cannot pay as agreed contact the creditor and set up a modified agreement, or go through a credit counseling service and pay off the debt as soon as possible. Then worry about cleaning up your records after a few years with no bad reports. After that, your best bet is to pay cash!!
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