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From / Date: |
Question / Answer: |
| 1706. |
MIke
New York, NY
Age: 43
Apr 2, 2007
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Canary Islands vs Alaska Address
I'm preparing to register two vehicles and I was planning on using the Alaska address. Is the Canary Island address a better choice and why?
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In the very unlikely event that you get into serious trouble, a subpoena can be served at any address in the USA but not in the Canary Islands (Spain).
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| 1705. |
Harry
Billings, MT
Age: 60
Apr 2, 2007
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New Canary Islands address offer
Does the name the vehicle is registered in have to be an LLC or can it be a trust or a corporation?
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No, it need not be in an LLC. However your car is registered, whether in your name, a trust, a corporation, or an LLC, is acceptable.
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| 1704. |
Richard
Albuquerque, NM
Age: 39
Apr 2, 2007
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Yet Another Reason Not To Use FedEx
Recently, a package was shipped to me via FedEx Home (I didn't get to pick the shipper). My name and my address at a UPS store was listed on the shipping label but the shipper accidentally put in the wrong phone number. The package was delivered to the address that would be associated with THAT phone number overriding the name and address physically on the label. From this we can learn that FedEx has it's own database that associates addresses with phone numbers. In the past, when having items shipped to my UPS store address, I used my personal number in case the seller had a question. In the future, I will supply the phone number of the UPS store itself. If you have a private phone number such as pre-paid cell that you've associated with a shipment via FedEx, that number is now in their database and associated with your ghost address. Live and learn.
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Knowing FedEx, I am not surprised ...
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| 1703. |
Steve
Johnston, IA
Age: 53
Apr 2, 2007
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Homeland Security wants Master Keys to the Internet
The article discloses USA attempt to grab the Master Keys to the Internet. These keys are currently held by VeriSign. "The people who hold the keys, have the power." This is a significant and dangerous event for all. The following description is taken from the VeriSign website: VeriSign (Nasdaq: VRSN) operates intelligent infrastructure services that enable and protect billions of interactions across the world's voice and data networks. VeriSign offerings include SSL, SSL Certificates, two-factor authentication, identity protection, managed network security, public key infrastructure (PKI), security consulting, information management, as well as solutions for intelligent communications, commerce, and content. VeriSign is also building next-generation service offerings for emerging opportunities such as RFID-enabled supply chains, VoIP technology, and digital-content distribution over mobile and broadband networks.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/april2007/020...
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| 1702. |
Cate
Seattle, WA
Age: 32
Apr 2, 2007
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Use your inactive cell phone to make calls
Or so this service says:
http://www.americanroaming.com/
Found out about them when making a test call from a phone someone just gave me to make sure it was inactive, and got a recording stating I could still call out if I wanted to use the above service. Evidently they now have a prepaid option and the minutes are good for two years. From what I read on their site it seems as though the "prepaid PIN" you can buy would not be attached to any particular phone, so in theory any inactive phone they serve would be usable with the same PIN. Worth checking out, at the very least for outbound emergency calling to something other than 911.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.americanroaming.com/...
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| 1698. |
Mary
Sherman Oaks, CA
Age: 50
Mar 31, 2007
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privacy
I am so much in the open like my assets, liabilities, job, family, even my previous marital problems. How can I start being private ? How do I create a new invisible me ?
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It would take an entire book to answer your question, and that book is How to be Invisible.
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| 1696. |
Mike
Chicago, IL
Age: 47
Mar 31, 2007
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RE: Non-trackable cell phones
Stanley, from Bedminster, PA. To my knowledge, international phones are not any good here in the US. In my four months in Mexico City I tried to buy a prepaid cell phone useable in Mexico and the US to no avail'. International phones will not work here unless you re-register again. Other options are: (a) look for a pay phone around your area that gives you 5 minutes international calling for one dollar. Normally, in my neck of the wood, you can spot them from far by the Mexican flag decal. (b) check into these two sites to solve someone's contract problems http://www.cellswapper.com/ and http://celltradeusa.com/. You can find a way around to deal directly with the person. (c) buy a Net10 phone from Wal-Mart and keep it activated at all time. I have a few of them registered with different area code without my personal information. (d) for the amount of money you refer on your post...why not buy a satellite phone? (e) MicroTalk Cobra 2-way radio are getting close to 25 miles range which you can use in combination with any of the above or a pager. Hope this help.
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| 1694. |
Stanley
Wilmington, DE
Age: 25
Mar 30, 2007
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Never give anyone the cell number
Keep your actual cell phone number to yourself. I haven't a clue what any of mine are - I have to look em up! --There are tons of ways you can do this - do some google searches. Then you can switch phones on a dime it doesn't affect anyone/anything. JJLuna suggests use of a pager.
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| 1693. |
Stanley
Bedminster, PA
Age: 25
Mar 30, 2007
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Non-trackable cell phones
Thanks to Mike, Will, Roger, for the confirming info on cell phones. Has anyone tried (i.e. bought, used, gotten tech support) for any of the non-trackable cell phones manufactured in foreign countries - they are approx $250-$750 depending on who/where you buy, and basically it's more further removed that just an prepaid phone bought in the usa (run by usa companies). Are they reliable and of good quality? Are there any problems with getting the service activated, since perhaps the service company you choose may know it's not a US-made phone? Does that cause more requests to "send you a sim card or new phone"? I have an outstanding resource for these phones as well as $10,000 completely private prepaid credit cards - wow eh? Has anyone tried those? Any problems using them, etc.?
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| 1692. |
Stanley
Wilmington, DE
Age: 25
Mar 30, 2007
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Net10 - Not as good as it seems
Has anyone with Net10 cell phone been able to successfully request by phone a new number without them insisting on sending you a new sim card or phone? What is really weird is that the rep insisted that the phone was defective and would no longer work - but it still works just fine - I had her hold while I made a call on it and asked her to call in once - I think they (the anonymous cell phone companies) are getting really weird - trying to force you to give them your address (I don't know if they accept po boxes or not) - by telling you - we can't change your number for you, the phone is defective, will no longer work, we must send you... Funny, though, she didn't know what to say when it was apparently a total lie.
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| 1691. |
Mike
Chicago, IL
Age: 47
Mar 30, 2007
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More on T-Mobile cell phones
Roger, Youngstown, OH, you are correct. I did wait about 5 days after the time card expired before recharging but that's not consider "a long time" as T-Mobile stated. BTW, after reading the response here I called T-Mobile and they wanted my home address to send a "new sims chip via DHL". No P.O. Box allowed. Thanks for the info., Will and Roger.
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| 1690. |
Roger
Youngstown, OH
Age: 46
Mar 30, 2007
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More on T-Mobile cell phones
Intrigued by Mike's message about the problem he had after 3 months of service I called T-Mobile. I proceeded to read the message Mike quoted to her: "Due to recent changes implemented by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to conserve telephone numbers, your phone number has received an allocation error and needs to be corrected by a Customer Service Representative". She said he probably waited too long before adding refill minutes to his phone and that his phone service most likely lapsed.
This makes sense if you carefully read the part about "to conserve telephone numbers," so I think that this apparent problem may be not be an issue at all. Are there any others who have this service that have experienced this or similar difficulties?
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| 1689. |
Will
Apopka, FL
Age: 42
Mar 30, 2007
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Pre Paid cell phones and personal information
his is in response to Mike From Chicago about T-Mobile prepaid cell phone.
I never got that problem with T-Mobile. 1st Phone: Got it at Wal-Mart with only $60 worth of minutes. Then later added $100 (best value price per minute) and this extended the time on the phone for 1 yr.
2nd phone: Bought a new T-mobile phone with $100 card and too is valid for 1 yr.
In both cases I used the automated system to activate the cards and add minutes. I was NEVER asked for any personal information.
I am in Florida, so the rules may be different here. YMMV :)
Hope this helps.
Will
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| 1687. |
Mike
Chicago, IL
Age: 47
Mar 29, 2007
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T-Mobile cell phone service
Sorry to bust the bubble but I too have try T-Mobile and Net10 Phone from Walmart and after your third month...after you have given your telephone number to everyone and depend on others reaching you at that number...when you attempt to charge the phone here is the message you will get.
"Due to recent changes implemented by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to conserve telephone numbers, your phone number has received an allocation error and needs to be corrected by a Customer Service Representative".
And guess what additional information you have to give up?? Yep. Look into the two cell phone swapping links posted last week. Be a problem solver and not a target. :-)
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Some readers do not agree with you. (See Roger, Youngstown, OH, above.)
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| 1686. |
David
Aurora, CO
Age: 53
Mar 29, 2007
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T-Mobile cell phone service
Based on Mary from Chicago's recent post I have the following experience to report. I purchased a $29.95 T-Mobile To Go phone at a local WalMart. When I called the phone number to activate the phone using the touch-tone service, I found that it didn't work and I was connected to a live operator. I at first made an excuse not wanting to speak to a live person who might request personal information. This happened four times before I decided to have a go at it with an operator. Here is the information she requested:
- a name
- activation code
- SIM Card Serial #
- Handset Serial #
- 3-digit area code of your choice
- a date of birth
- city nearest you
- preferred language
- a pin #
- a password
The operator did not attempt to obtain any further information and did not request any identifying documentation. She provided the telephone number on the spot. The phone was activated a few minutes later and seems to be functioning properly.
That was my experience and this seems to be a good, private alternative to regular cell phone service.
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| 1685. |
Steve
Johnston, IA
Age: 53
Mar 29, 2007
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PC Repair Not Confidential
Man takes laptop to Best Buy store for repairs and ends up meeting the law. Granted, if guilty, I'm glad he got caught. But, its the fear that you can't even trust a repair person with your confidential materials. Attorneys, Doctors, all meet confidentiality guidelines by law; maybe its time other professionals are required to abide by those same ideals. My question: Why did Best Buy believe they were the police and not a repair service?
Submitted Link #1: http://www.woitv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6292616...
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This happens all the time. I suspect that repairmen are obligated by law to report anything suspicious.
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| 1684. |
Ian
Beverly Hills, CA
Age: 31
Mar 29, 2007
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Financed Used car NM LLC
I purchased a used 2000 Hyundai but it is being financed through Wells Fargo. Is it possible to get that listed under a NM LLC? Or do I have to wait until it is totally paid off?
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Pay it off first, and then never, as long as you live, ever finance a vehicle again!
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| 1683. |
John B
Portland, OR
Age: 30 something
Mar 29, 2007
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The Patriot Act
Now that The Patriot Act is in effect and Banks now REQUIRE a soc. sec. # or no account even as the guidelines in the book go, what are we to do so I may open a biz. account with my EIN and not use a soc.??
Need soon I am needing to finish up with
some private matters. Thank you.
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As I clearly point out in "Invisible Money," whoever signs the checks must furnish his or her SSN. There are no exceptions. (The logical solution to this problem is to use a nominee.)
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| 1682. |
Sarah
Philadelphia, PA
Age: 25
Mar 28, 2007
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Cell phone anonymity
RE: Cate, excellent points made. So, basically, since the phones are so cheap, you can use one phone for your "circle", family and friends that will always lead to you, they know your full name, location, history, etc. Then, have another for your alias identity, for everything related to privacy in which your real identity is simply never revealed at all (that means address, no identify info!), perhaps a third phone for highly personal and/or somewhat questionnable calls in and out that you don't want your "circle" via an investigator to tag on to. A little cumbersome, but I guess it depends if you leave them OFF like JJLuna strongly recommends or not. You can us forwarding services so you never even give out any cell phone numbers to anyone, but you have to trust the hub spot (that company) to be trustworthy and/or have good database security (anything can be cracked as we see with the major banks having problems).
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| 1680. |
Cate
Seattle, WA
Age: 32
Mar 28, 2007
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Prepaid cellphones and consistent anonymity
I've just acquired a Tracfone by much the same method as the reader below who got a T-Mobile phone.
But there are a couple of things I have not come across being discussed (maybe I missed it, in which case I apologize), and something I wanted to note.
First, you'll obviously have to refill the airtime anonymously so you'd want to go with a company who will let you buy their cards for cash (unless you've decided to use an anonymous Visa gift card or similar but then you'll still have to account for your IP address and any data leaking that javascript on the carrier's site might cause).
But secondly, other than a mention of not calling home and then losing your cell phone while being investigated, what are your thoughts, JJ, and readers' thoughts, about *keeping* your use of such a phone from tying itself to your real identity?
In other words, it seems to me that calling people you know from such a phone is going to lead inadvertently to them linking the phone with you, which could lead back to you, if for example someone's investigating *them*. The mere fact that they say they call you on that number or leave a trail indicating the same seems to me like it would render the privacy advantage of such a phone rather useless in such scenarios.
I'd presume someone worth investigating knew other people and used the phone to contact them at some point. That exposes the phone to connectin with your real personal info.
Other than only using the phone with other people who also use "anonymous" phones and agree not to ever reveal your personal information in keeping track of *your* number in their records/on their phones I'm not sure that there is a way around this.
So what could reasonably be expected to be the utility, ultimately, of such a phone? I'm pretty sure my life is too boring to really worry about it, but since we're on the subject -?
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Unless you KNOW someone is after you, I wouldn't worry all that much. As you say, the so-called "anonymous" phones are not all that secure. Some drug dealers, for example, buy them by the dozen and use them only for a day, then toss them.
... Here's what happens when the government decides to investigate someone we'll call Joe. Computers will be programmed to run every incoming and outgoing number from Joe's phone, and then run ALL numbers in and out from each of Joe's contacts, and then run all THOSE numbers, looking for a pattern and trying to get a hit on any other suspicious number. The only secure way around this is not to use a telephone at all ...
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