A  N  S  W  E  R  S


1.  When you travel via commercial airline, you must show your driver’s license at check-in.

     FALSE.  Use your passport.  In fact, with the sole exceptions of renting a car or being pulled over in a traffic stop, you should never show your driver's license to anyone, because it shows your address and sometimes even your Social Security number.

2.  If you decide to change your name, you need not bother to file any legal documents. 

     TRUE. As long as fraud is not involved, you are free to use any name you like. Many actors use a stage name, and some writers use as many as half a dozen different names.

 3.  The best way to receive mail is by using a home mailbox that requires a key to open it. 

     FALSE. Never receive any mail at home. Theft of mail can result in having your identity stolen. Further, why not keep your home address private, as do many European businessmen? Receive your mail at a P.O. box and package deliveries at some alternative address.

4.  When you purchase a vehicle, list only an initial and then your last name.

     FALSE.  DMVs sell this information to others--including private investigators--and allow police access.  Title your vehicles in the name of a trust or in the name of a New Mexico limited liability company. Use a faraway mailing address.

5.  When you order a pizza to be delivered, use a name different than your own.

     FALSE.  Never order pizza to be delivered to your home. Pizza places give out information to anyone who calls. For example, suppose a man wishing to do you harm has obtained your unlisted telephone number but does not know your address. He calls every pizza place in the city, ordering a pizza and giving out your telephone number. In answer, he hears:  "Are you still at number so-and-so on Maple street?"  Bingo!  (He then calls back a few minutes later and cancels the order.)

6.  Before throwing out a bank statement or a  telephone bill, tear it up in tiny pieces. 

     FALSE.  Anyone who can put together a 1000-word jigsaw puzzle can assemble torn-up bank statements, telephone bills, and other private documents. In fact, during the Iranian hostage crisis back in 1979, students re-assembled secret embassy papers that had been strip-shredded! Buy and use a cross-cut shredder, available at any major office supply store.

7.  The only sure way to have an anonymous bank account is to have another person open it for you.
 
     TRUE.  Even if you obtain a tax identification number for a corporation or a limited liability company, the bank will still require your name, address, telephone, and Social Security number if you are the one who will be signing the checks.  The only alternative is to have someone else open the account, sign all the checks in advance, and then turn them over to you. 

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                        SCORE YOURSELF

                             7 correct answers:  Go to the head of the class.

                        6 correct answers:  Take your seat in the center section.

                        5 correct answers:  Move to the back row.

                        0 to 4 correct answers:  Temporarily suspended from class. 
                             Read How To Be Invisible: The essential guide to protecting your personal privacy,
                                     your assets and your life. 
                             Then take the test again.

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