| #: |
From / Date: |
Question / Answer: |
| 3774. |
Charles
Glen Ellyn, IL
Age: 40
Feb 27, 2008
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Self-Destructing E-Mail
Please, please PLEASE do NOT trust "self-destructing" e-mail to be secure in any manner. It can all be bypassed by a simple click on the "print screen" key, or by reading the message on a Linux computer and just saving it off. I personally know people who have gotten burned by this gimmick.
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| 3773. |
Doug
Greensboro, NC
Age: 27
Feb 27, 2008
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State Farm Rocks!
The company I talked to earlier was Progressive, who insisted that I get a commercial policy if the car is titled to a LLC. State Farm, on the other hand, said they'll issue a non-commercial policy in the name of the LLC, with me as a driver, and there won't be a problem with the LLC having a different address from the garaging address. I explained up front that the LLC conducts no business and its sole purpose is to own the car. The rates will be about $5-10 more per month than Progressive, but it's worth it to maintain my privacy.
...
I have recommended State Farm before, on this site.
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| 3772. |
Annie
Santa Fe, NM
Age: 58
Feb 27, 2008
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American Community Survey
[Edited for length] A number of people have posted comments about the American Community Survey (ACS), expressing shock that mandatory fines and jail terms can be imposed for non-compliance.
The link below takes you to the 2002 report from the General Accounting Office (GAO) stating that while the U.S. Constitution requires that a a census be taken for the enumeration--counting heads--of the population, in a manner directed by law (that is, by the Congress), and while there is NO SPECIFIC CONGRESSIONAL MANDATE (emphasis is mine) for the extension of the enumerative decennial census to the very instrusive ACS, the GAO concludes that the (Census) Bureau has the power to ask and require that questions on the ACS be answered.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.gao.gov/decisions/other/289852.htm#_ftn...
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| 3771. |
Diane
Holland, MI
Age: 33
Feb 27, 2008
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Medical form help
I will be going in to see a dermatologist in a few weeks and am expecting to have to have a biopsy sent to a lab. I have not been to a doctor in nearly 10 years and wasn't prepared for the form they sent me to fill out. I was wondering if readers could give me some input on how they fill out their forms at the doctor's, and to what extent they "doctor" their information. I don't have to worry about insurance submission as I have none. Also I have a ghost address. I know altimately it's my decision to decide to what extent I list accurate information, but any feedback from other readers would be appreciated.
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| 3770. |
Greg
Hotchkiss, CO
Age: 43
Feb 27, 2008
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Insurance Cards Re #3758
I worked as an automobile accident investigator for a mid sized town (100,000+ population) for about 12 years. So long as the insurance card presented was for the vehicle involved in the accident, verifiable by the vehicle description and VIN number, and had the issuing company name, policy number, and contact information for the company/agent, I was satisfied. If a person printed their own version of a card that was for a valid policy with only a name ommitted, I doubt the officer it was presented to would even think twice about it. Would it be a crime? I do not think so. The insurance policy is in effect for that vehicle and the person driving it is covered. I encountered a number of different versions of insurance cards for the same company, State Farm, Farmers, Progressive, etc. and we accepted them all. On those occasions that an expired insurance card was encountered, I would call the toll free number listed on the card and verify the validity of the policy. The usual information requested was the policy number and vehicle description. Occasionally the Vin would be verified. As long as the information on the card was legitimate, it would be accepted.
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| 3769. |
Ronald
Washington, DC
Age: 47
Feb 27, 2008
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private phone replacement
vumber.com is a replacement for the discontinued privatephone.com service.
Submitted Link #1: http://vumber.com...
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| 3768. |
Wendy
Richardson, TX
Age: 44
Feb 27, 2008
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Ian, 3759
Yes, it IS fraud to create a document with an intent to deceive since the very definition is "something intended to deceive"! Doug will have created a card with a valid policy number on it but someone else's name on the face (since an LLC is a "person" under the law). Doug will have presented false ID to the police! It's like presenting a social security card with someone else's valid number but your name on the face.
Creating a faked card on a computer, including using the insurer's logo (which is trademark infringement so now there's a civil law violation along with the fraud!), with the intent of deceiving the police is vastly different from driving around with a damaged insurance card that's difficult to read, unless the damage was done to the insurance card in order to deceive law enforcement. In that case, you may not have a problem. But you might. It depends on the officer who stops, where you're stopped and under what circumstances. If you're stopped by a particularly ornery cop, you'd better hope there's a camera around when you're stopped because he may take offense to your presenting him with a ragged insurance card! The fact that you can joke about suggests you know it's wrong to create a fraudulent card and cops aren't dumb; they'll figure you out (um, like they'll call the insurer and ask if they issued the card that way!!) and when they do, you're unlikely to be laughing out loud for long if that's the case. I'll reiterate: Doug, DON'T do it because it's simply not worth the risk. Any cop who stops you and figures out what you've done will wonder what ELSE you've done to flout the law and that'll put you on their radar for a long time even if it doesn't lead to an arrest.
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| 3767. |
Mark
Barnesville, GA
Age: 35
Feb 27, 2008
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Dealership obtaining information
For Theresa, I am pretty sure your DMV sells your information. A similar thing happened to my wife. When she got her driver's license, she was required to give a physical address, but was allowed to put our P.O. Box on the license itself. Shortly after that she began receiving credit card offers at the home address. We have since moved.
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| 3766. |
Linda
San Francisco, CA
Age: 30's
Feb 27, 2008
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To Ian Re: Vehicle Insurance Card
Why borrow trouble by falsifying a document that may need to be shown to a government official? Unless you're stopped frequently by the authorities while driving, I think the important thing is to get the vehicle REGISTRATION titled in the name of your LLC using your ghost address (which is very easy once you've got the Articles of Organization), so you'll be covered in the more likely instance that someone runs your plates without your knowledge. If you're stopped while driving, you'll need to give the authorities your driver license anyway; they'll know who you are.
It might take some time and effort, but I'm sure you can find an insurance company that will title the vehicle INSURANCE under your LLC name only. It must be quite common for insurance companies to do so since many businesses maintain a "fleet" of vehicles for employees to use in the conduct of the business.
In the event that your name DOES appear on the insurance card, you can take the additional precaution of keeping the insurance card in your wallet, rather than in the glove box. It might be a good idea to do this, regardless. Best of luck.
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| 3765. |
Annie
Santa Fe, NM
Age: 58
Feb 27, 2008
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Privacy Issues in European Countries
The link below provides an interesting article from the BBC about the current state of the privacy debate in several European countries.
Submitted Link #1: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7265212.stm...
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| 3764. |
Steve
Ocala, FL
Age: 37
Feb 27, 2008
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Disk Encryption - Vulnerablility Post 3712
I found that post to be most interesting. So I sent the link to some computer encryption friends of mine. First, understand taht all encryption can be eventually broken. Second, a basic hacker cannot do the things in the video. Third, if you use an encryption program, only use one that uses a minimum AES 256 algorithm... while not unbreakable it is harder to use the technology in the video. Lastly, on almost all the machines in the market, the BIOS can perform a destructive memory check during its Power-On Self Test(POST). Most of the machines allow this test to be disabled or bypassed (sometimes by enabling an option called “Quick Boot”). You just need to disable this "quick boot" and every time you turn your PC on, it will erase the RAM memory before even any software can be used to record it. You do give up performance (slower boot) but privacy is worth it.
Always follow the advice of JJL, never store things on your computer that you do not want others to see, never use your computer to do things you do not want others to see...ALL ENCRYPTION CAN (AND WILL) EVENTUALLY BE BROKEN.
Submitted Link #1: http://citp.princeton.edu/pub/coldboot.pdf...
...
Amen, Steve!
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| 3763. |
Jud
Wilmington, NC
Age: 30
Feb 27, 2008
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Home Protection book
Somewhere on your site I came across the mentioning of a book written by a burglar while in prison. The book was about secrets of home protection and was written in the early '80's. I can't seem to find that info again. Could you please provide the name of the book and the author if you have it? Thanks.
...
Secrets of a Superthief, by Jack MacLean. (Currently out of print, but used copies are available at Amazon.com for $25.) Highly recommended.
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| 3762. |
Will
Winter Park, FL
Age: 41
Feb 27, 2008
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RE: #3751 Agricultural Census
After reading the information at the link provided, I understand that the penalty for not answering EACH question can be upto $100. So, my advise talk to an attorney to see if that will be enforced.
..
Best of luck. You might want to consider moving.
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| 3760. |
Ian
San Antonio, TX
Age: 52
Feb 27, 2008
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Re:3759. Wendy
Is it REALLY fraud? It would be a valid policy(number)and not used to cheat or skirt the law or financial responsibilty!
What if a drove around with a water damaged or torn card,where the name was obliterated? I am SURE I would be aressted for fraud! LOL!
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| 3759. |
Wendy
Richardson, TX
Age: 44
Feb 26, 2008
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Falsifying Insurance Card
[Re: #3758]
... Doug, I wouldn't create a deceptive insurance card. That could lead to some serious trouble if you're stopped, which, though unlikely unless you've got some bad driving habits or are wanted for a crime, is not impossible. See if the insurance company will list the LLC as the owner of the vehicle and you as its driver, only. Then, ask if you can have an insurance card that shows only the LLC's name as "insured" while keeping you in their database as "Doug Driver" for "My Car, LLC". That way, if the police stopped you, ran the plate and checked your insurance, everything would match since your name and the LLC's would actually be on the policy, if not on the card, your name is on your DL and the LLC is the vehicle's registered owner. Moreover, you'd be carrying a valid, insurer issued card, not one you faked.
Remember, however, the primary reason for titling a vehicle in the name of an LLC is for privacy; to keep PIs and police (who haven't stopped you) from running your plates as your vehicle is parked in front of the drugstore, from tying the vehicle directly to you, and, particularly, to keep other drivers or individuals looking to sue you from finding you easily. (They WON'T be serving you in AK if you're driving in the lower 48!)
You need to get an insurer that will work with you on this, even if you have to pay a bit more for a commercial policy and have your insurance card read "Doug Driver d/b/a My Car, LLC". That's better than getting stopped and presenting false documents to the police. I'm sure there are laws in your state against doing so. Remember, get arrested for some kind of fraud, LOSE your privacy, possibly permanently.
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| 3758. |
Doug
Greensboro, NC
Age: 27
Feb 26, 2008
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Car insurance card
I'm about to buy a car and title it in an LLC, using an Alaska address on the registration. My insurance company will most likely put my name and the LLC name on the insurance card, with an address here in Greensboro (I have a NC drivers license, so I have to give them an address in NC, right?). I plan to make my own insurance card (I have professional graphic design software) showing just the LLC name and its address in Alaska, but with the true policy number and issue/expiration dates, thereby matching the addresses on the insurance card and the registration card; does this sound like the best way to go? Would there be any problem presenting an insurance card to a policeman that didn't have my name on it, but an LLC name instead?
...
See #3759, above.
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| 3757. |
Mura
Lubbock, TX
Age: 59
Feb 26, 2008
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Walking canes for self-defense
Hi Jack: I have MS and collect canes. We have a lot of violence, gang and otherwise, in this city, along with a pretty serious pit bull problem. I would never go anywhere without a cane.
In "Dirty Tricks" you state: "The only error was that CaneMasters burned their logo into the cane, a no-no for air travel." (p. 32)
I'm not really following you; why is the logo a no-no for air travel?
...
Their standard "normal-looking" canes are stronger than normal canes, specifically made for self defense. The well-known logo identifies them as serious weapons, in a class similar to Kubotan keyrings.
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| 3756. |
Sam
San Diego, CA
Age: 62
Feb 26, 2008
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Gift Card Buyers Beware
A friend who knows my dislike of credit cards gave me a Visa Gift card issued by All Access. After six months, All Access charges a $4.95 a month "administrative fee". I live in California, so I thought this fee should not apply. I called the state department of consumer affairs. They agreed.
All Access says, however, that the cards were issued in Texas and have an expiration date printed on the card, and those two details make the card exempt under California law - so they can charge the $4.95 a month fee. Lesson learned - Don't buy cards issued by All Access, which has figured out a way to get around California law. Californians might be wise to check out all gift cards before purchasing them to determine if other companies are using this system to get around California law. I will carry the worthless card in my wallet along with a few dollars in case I get mugged so I will have something that appears valuable to give the mugger.
...
If you are worried about getting mugged, Sam, carry one of those special canes described in the e-book "Dirty Tricks!"
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| 3754. |
Theresa
Franklin, TN
Age: 43
Feb 26, 2008
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dealership getting info
Can someone please tell me how a local dealership obtained our name, address and VIN number on a vehicle that we paid cash for? Nor have we had it serviced there. Supposedly, there is a recall on a minor part so we're urged to bring it in for service.
I called the dealership and she said they get all the names from GM and didn't know anything beyond that.
My best guess is the national oil change place we brought it to once?
...
When you bought the car, did you by any chance give the dealer your true name and address, rather than use an LLC with a ghost address?
Or, when you had an oil change, did you give your true name and address rather than an alternate name and NO address (as I do)?
She replies: No to both questions. We purchased from a private party with cash and I never fill out any identifying info at oil changes. (But they did scan the VIN number.) All I can deduct is that motor vehicle is selling databases. (They do have our true address...at least for now.)
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| 3753. |
James
College Station, TX
Age: 40
Feb 26, 2008
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RE: Baby's Social Security Number
If your state allows you to freeze your credit report (I think your's does) I am convinced this should be done as soon as the card is received. I have done this with our minor children to help prevent ID theft. My thought is it may help and it won't hurt my kids.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.state.nj.us/dobi/division_consumers/fin...
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