I have used hushmail before and can honestly say I have had problems with it. I like hushmail but the name raises a brow and I have had problems using it in some cases for online purchases. But, again, I like hushmail--but it's far from perfect.

... FYI, I had it for a year but--like you, I do NOT like the name. Someone made a very bad decision when they chose that name!

That said, Virgin Mobile coverage is great in my area. I pay $40/month for 1200 minutes plus unlimited texting and data.

My thought is that if enough people are using these tools then it doesn't draw any attention.

What are your thoughts?

Thank you.

... I'll let you readers answer this one, as I do not use any of the above.

I'm currently using a Walmart Smart talk phone. Good value for the money for regular use, reload with card purchased with cash, and have not had too many spots where it lost signal (same locations that my old Verizon contract phone lost signals).

Fast forward to yesterday. I purchased another T-Mobile prepaid cellphone, but this time at Radio Shack b/c it was on sale. Once again, I used cash. The clerk asked for my phone number, name and address. I asked why and he said that it was required for the receipt. I told him that I'd rather not provide that information. He stated that I could provide random information. He actually assisted me with the information b/c he realized that I wasn't going to supply my real information.

Moral of the story, go to Best Buy, Target or other places for prepaid mobile phones. If a store (Radio Shack) is insistent upon your information, then supply alias information or random information.

I have gone to physicians, given my true name, marked through the field for my SSN (cash--no insurance info). Once a clerk insisted on my SSN, and when I pointed out that I was paying in cash, it wasn't necessary. Another lady sitting behind her said, "She's right--we don't need it. Just go ahead and process her information."

I once or twice went to physicians (one-time visits), gave an alias, and, because I paid cash on the barrel and gave no insurance info, no one questioned me about my SSN or anything else.

I suspect one might run into this sort of thing if you're seen for something that might require narcotics, or in a bigger city--just a coin-toss.

It really was of no import to me since one has to accrue a HUGE amount in medical expenses to deduct them on taxes, so....

I know I need a tax id to open a bank account and for tax purposes, but is it possible to run a business online and make money and not have a tax id? I'm guessing if the business is a success the IRS will want to know where all this money is coming from, since there are no annual reports with a NM LLC, etc.

... A single-member LLC will raise no flags because the LLC is "transparent." (You do not mention the LLC on your tax return.)

To the best of my knowledge no separate tax ID number is needed for business; income is reported in your OWN name, Schedule C.

Also, you can use a personal bank account for business, as outlined in SKIP COLLEGE: Go Into Business For Yourself, without revealing your true name to your customers.

You can cross out contractual provisions, but the other party to the contract can repudiate the contract if he does not agree with the amendment.

By the same token, if you DO cross out a provision (and I have done so many times) and the office personnel accept the form and provide the service, then they, as agents for the doctor, have ratified the amendment and it's binding.

You ran into office personnel who were properly trained by their office manager not to accept a patient who refuses to sign the arbitration waiver. That's their job, after all, so you should have no complaint with them. That physician and you did not see eye-to-eye on the conditions of his professional service, so you have to find another provider. It's that simple.

And while I do not like arbitration clauses, nor will I agree to them, I fully support the right of anyone to put contractual conditions on their services intended to protect them against ruinous lawsuits, and doctors are at the top of the list. Doctors who have such protections likely have lower rates because their insurance is less costly, and that's beneficial to people like me who pay for their own medical care.

"This is dangerous in two ways: First, it is far more than what is needed just to protect you against a lost or stolen phone. It's extremely privacy-invasive and it puts you at great risk if Apple's data on you are compromised. But it's not only the biometric data that are a concern. Second, Apple's technology includes various types of usage monitoring — also very privacy-invasive."

Submitted Link #1: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/08/steve-jobs-w...

While I know I have the legal "right" to cross out the language I don't agree with, I'm simply looking to avoid wasting time negotiatiating with the ladies behind the counter. My question is, how can I give the semblence of having signed the offending forms, without them having any usefulness for the physician? I'm seriously thinking about obtaining some "disappearing ink" ! Another tactic I'm considering is to ask the MD office to fax the offending forms beforehand, and carefully excise offending sentences, (maybe replacing them with "You've been punk'd!)

You could also call again and talk to someone else. Don't give up just because the first knucklehead said no. If you speak to a different agent, you may be treated better and get what you want. It's happened before.

Also, some utilities can be set up via online chat with no DL or SSN. In this case, you can just give them whatever name you want.

I'm no attorney...just sharing my experience.