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From / Date: |
Question / Answer: |
| 6246. |
Elizabeth
Monterey, CA
Age: 54
Aug 11, 2009
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Re: #6245 - HTBI and Vendors
Dorothy, when I had recent trouble with the prepaid debit card, it was because the vendor was worried that the card issuer might back out of payment if there were a fraud claim later on. They gave me the option of wiring the money or mailing a cashier's check if I wanted to remain anonymous. Pretty inconvenient and expensive since I had already purchased the prepaid card, but still an option.
Can you just walk into a T-Mobile store and buy the phones and cards in cash? Would T-Mobile be more cooperative if you offered to mail a cashier's check or money order as payment? For us, it's a privacy/safety issues, but I think for the vendors it's sometimes just about not getting ripped off. And unfortunately, I do think that some of the things we do to protect ourselves (like K7.net numbers and mail drops) makes us look suspicious to vendors who fear becoming fraud victims. Good luck!
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| 6245. |
Dorothy
Topeka, KS
Age: 40
Aug 10, 2009
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Tangentially related to #6244
I have found it impossible to order T-Mobile prepaid phone cards and phones to have them delivered to my UPS store mailing address. I was using a debit (not credit) card that was tied to a checking account I opened in an out-of-state bank where the out-of-state bank was given my (local to the out-of-state bank's) cousin's address initially, then my PO box as a "mailing address". Apparently T-mobile has the capacity to ascertain that the UPS Store's address is NOT a residential house or apartment. I was quite frustrated with the whole thing, but I never found a workable solution to get the T-Mobile order delivered to an address that wasn't connected with a residential address. They outright REFUSED to deliver my order to the UPS Store. After several tense conversations with their customer service reps, I determined that the problem was NOT that my bank account was tied to a PO box. The problem was that they KNEW that they KNEW that they KNEW that my shipping address was a UPS Store. It appears to me that a nominee combined with a ghost address that appears to be an actual house on google maps is the only way to go these days.... Sad but true.... And who knows how long even that will continue to be effective in preventing databases from discovering where we sleep at night????
...
As always, the one best solution is to use a nominee.
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| 6244. |
Elizabeth
Monterey, CA
Age: 54
Aug 10, 2009
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RSA identity check? K7.net problem?
I have often purchased items over the internet with prepaid debit cards, and as long as the cards are registered with my CMRA mailing address (so that shipping and billing addresses match), I have never had a problem.
Recently, I ordered something from a small company new to me, and they declined to process my order unless I gave them my landline phone number so that they could verify my identity through something they called RSA Identity Check. I never give my landline to vendors since it is tied to my physical address, and I'm afraid they will give it to UPS or FedEx, who would likely share/sell the info.
Does anyone know what this RSA Identity Check is? Are others having increasing trouble ordering things over the internet with privacy or was this a fluke? I am also wondering if giving a K7.net phone number for messages was what caused the problem. Has anyone else had trouble with those K7 numbers looking suspicious to vendors? I'm just wondering if there is some other way to order over the internet without giving away my privacy. The prepaid cards are so convenient and just like cash. Thanks.
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| 6243. |
Jane
San Francisco, CA
Age: 40
Aug 10, 2009
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repair appliances
Hello,
Can you supply a few tips on how to maintain your privacy and handle repairs on major appliances that one cannot do themselves? What about deliveries?
Thanks
...
Assuming you have no other solution, do not give either your true name or your true address. Have someone with a repairman every minute. ... As for address, I hope you have no number on the building and no mail box. Explain you don't give a number because you do not receive ANY mail there. They can just list the street on their form, or--better yet!--just a PO Box number.)
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| 6242. |
Dave
Milano, Italy
Age: 29
Aug 8, 2009
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Privately registering vehicles in Europe
Have you ever used a NM LLC (with apostille) or some other entity to privately register motor vehicles in Europe? What about registering the vehicle in one EU country although you live in another? I've been to Tenerife twice, and it would be interesting to purchase a vehicle there and bring it back to Italy!
...
The purchase a vehicle by a New Mexico LLC is possible. However a postal address within Spain is required and an agent must be nominated by Power of Attorney. (The P of A would need to be translated by an official translator and the P of A would of course have your name.) The agent needs to be physically present at the registry office for the sale, and is personally responsible for the full payment of all purchase taxes. (This presents very, very minimal risk, because the taxes are nearly always paid in full at the same time that the vehicle legally changes hands, so the agent would know that all taxes were paid.) The government takes 7% of the value of the car. Normally the value of the car is accepted by the officials with no problems. The above information comes from a UK friend in Lanzarote (Canary islands). He has not yet tried to actually license a car in this way. As a side note, I am just now planning to order an apostille for a NM LLC to be used by a client in Europe who will open a bank account in Portugal.
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| 6241. |
Jennifer
Vancouver BC
Age: 24
Aug 8, 2009
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Return address on an envelope (CANADA)
Is it true that if someone sends me a letter without a return address, that I will not be allowed to receive it?
...
Technically this appears to be true. But is it enforced? I have already started sending out test letters. Watch for a future blog report on the result. Meanwhile, if any of you Canadian readers have had some problems with this, please let us know. In fact, if a few of you wish to help out, e-mail me your address. I'll send you a test letter and you can tell me if you receive it.
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| 6240. |
Nathan
Dallas, TX
Age: 25
Aug 6, 2009
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Money Exchangers
What is your experience in dealing with Currency Exchange places in Airports or near Borders? Or do you have a preferred method of exchanging a small amount of money?
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If you refer to privacy, I don't see that it matters much where you do the exchange.
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| 6239. |
William
Green Bay, WI
Age: 36
Aug 5, 2009
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Bank Accounts
(1)What is the best way to keep a bank account private?(2)Do you recommend using a LLC for this?
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1) Follow the instructions in "Invisible Money." ... 2) No.
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| 6238. |
Richard
Park City, UT
Age: 30
Aug 4, 2009
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IBM Analyzing Calls to Identify Threatening Friends
From the web site with more links and information: "IBM Research has been scrutinizing the call-detail records of 'one of the largest mobile operators in the world'. By analyzing who calls whom, and for how long, IBM claims its patent-pending snooping software can now identify circles of 'friends' who tend to exhibit the same profit-threatening behavior. 'We believe that our analysis is a first of its kind that exploits the underlying social network in a telecom call graph”
Submitted Link #1: http://yro.slashdot.org/story/09/08/01/1946208/IBM...
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| 6237. |
David
Eagan, MN.
Age: 44
Aug 4, 2009
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Telephone calling cards
Have you found a new telephone card that will not reveal your number to those you are calling? The old one you recommended in your book now reveals the number you are calling from.
...
I stopped using them a year or two ago and I assume other readers have done the same. This is because many plans now include free calling all over the US (and in some cases, Canada as well).
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| 6236. |
Dave
Greensboro, NC
Age: 29
Aug 4, 2009
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Money Orders
I forgot to ask whether an ID number (such as passport number) is recorded anywhere, either by hand or on a computer, when cashing a postal money order. I wouldn't mind showing my passport when cashing it as long as the unique ID number isn't copied down, thereby linking me personally with the money order.
...
I use a passport for ID and have cashed many money orders at two post offices. The passport number has never been taken down. I cannot, of course, speak for ALL post offices.
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| 6233. |
Iris
King George, VA
Age: 40
Aug 3, 2009
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Money orders
Could you not make the money order out to "Cash" and then scribble a signature endorsement on the back and then deposit into your bank account via ATM? A friend of mine does that with checks he takes in as payments. With it made out to cash there is no record of who got paid. Additionally, he is not present when the deposit is processed; so there is no one asking for ID. Or you could just trade it with someone for cash or use it to pay a bill.
...
I fail to see any great danger in cashing a blank money order. You can enter your name however you wish (i.e., with just your middle and last name, or one intial and last name).
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| 6232. |
Iris
King George, VA
Age: 40
Aug 3, 2009
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Ghost phone number
Others may already know this; but I just tried it and it works. I have broadband with Verizon; they have a phone number attached to it. I tried calling that number and a nice recording comes on and tells me that the wireless customer is unavailable at the time; please try again later. This sounds like the message given when you call a person who uses a prepaid phone and has ran out of minutes, but still has the phone number. So this may be something others can use, knowing the number would never be answered. Then they can give some excuse for not answering if need be.
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| 6231. |
Jim
Austin, Texas
Age: 46
Aug 3, 2009
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Good People Search Engine
Today I found out my home address has been compromised and the only source I can think of would be the school district (from registering our children) or my landlord (filling out a credit app).
I need to find out where the other party obtained my info.
Any suggestions?
Also, I need to know if they may have just used a good people finding search engine. Any suggestions on any of these as well would be appreciated.
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| 6230. |
Dave
27455
Age: 29
Aug 3, 2009
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Postal Money Orders
I have a couple questions about USPS money orders:
1. Is ID required to cash a blank money order (where neither the payer nor payee's name is filled in)?
2. Has anyone ever encountered a situation where a post office doesn't have enough cash on hand to cash a money order? What happens in that situation?
...
1. Yes. In fact, you may be required to fill in your name before they will cash it.2. Yes, that happens often if you go early in the morning. You will be asked to return late in the day, or the next day, or perhaps go to a larger post office.
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| 6229. |
Paul
Stafford, Tx
Age: 58
Aug 3, 2009
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Re: Jim in Austin
Jack: I worked for a very large Fortune 20 company and we had over 100 company cars and trucks in Texas. All paperwork for the vehicles were issued through New Jersey Corp to Texas DMV. No Drivers Licence was ever shown and DMV has no idea who each driver was. Vehicles were owned in New Jersey and registered in Texas with proper insurance. Perhaps the clerk Jim was dealing with was trying to be difficult.
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It's always good to try multiple clerks!
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| 6228. |
Jim
Austin, Texas
Age: 46
Aug 3, 2009
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Texas Titling of Vehicles
I'm having difficulty titling a vehicle in Texas in a NMLLC without showing my DL.
I have told the TXDOT that the LLC owns the vehicle and not me and this is their response: "You will still register the vehicle in the name of the LLC. However,
an agent of the business still needs to file a copy of their license in
the county the vehicle will be operated. The vehicle may have many
different drivers, but one driver needs to be the agent to file the
paperwork."
Any advice on how to overcome not having to show your DL?
Assuming there is no way around this, then:
Is any of your DL information shown on the title/registration?
How easy will it be for the DL to be linked to the vehicle?
...
Note to readers:
... Jim is purchasing the car from a dealer, not a private party. However, the message from the TXDOT appears to cover all registrations--something I have not heard before.
Can any of you Texans with cars registered in LLCs help Jim out, please?
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| 6227. |
mary
raleigh nc
Age: 54
Aug 2, 2009
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cell phone eavesdropping
Drake and Iris,
thanks for the good advice. I like the idea of a prepaid but don't know which one is best. sorry if this sounds odd but can someone eavedrop on a prepaid? thanks
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| 6226. |
Iris
King George, VA
Age: 40
Aug 2, 2009
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#6224 Cell phone spying
In addition to the advice already given; keep a log of what you say, to whom, and when. If information gets out; you could pinpoint if information is being spread by whomever you are speaking with or if someone is listening in on your calls. You could look into getting a prepaid phone that no one knows you have and would be harder to trace. Or if you are really concerned about what you need to speak about; do so in person and avoid any phone.
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| 6225. |
Drake
LA, CA
Age: 34
Aug 2, 2009
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6224 - Cell phone spying
"Is there a way to find out if someone is doing this and who it is?"
Over time, yes. Counter-Surveillance. First though, ask yourself why you think you might be a target. If you think the answer is yes, then ask yourself who would put you under surveillance and what would they hope to learn by doing so.
Then you can determine when they may be listening and create a scenario where they may show themselves. By being observant and thinking on your toes, you may be able to identify them. Professional assistance may be necessary. Be prepared to pay industry prices for professional services rendered if you go that route. Otherwise, have some fun with your friends and prospective eavesdroppers.
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