Clearly most of the advice is doled out with the US reader in mind but some of it is applicable to those of us in the UK. That said, I would like more material written from a European perspective and had hoped for a forum that would allow UK readers to have a real voice [hint, hint ;)]

Advice and stories-wise, not much to report yet.

... UK readers are welcome to post questions. Perhaps another UK reader will come up with the answer if I cannot.

... It would help to get more UK readers if you'd spread the word about this Web site to others in the British Isles.

[hint, hint ;)]

Oh, it's far worse than that these days. In many banks you have to submit a FINGERPRINT as well. This is a police-approved anti-fraud system that doesn't actually prevent fraud, and most of the time doesn't provide any law-enforcement benefits. It's mainly a deterrent to the ignorant.

The problem is that the vast majority of these on-check fingerprints are unclassifiable by FBI standards, and thus cannot be used as evidence or even to search the FBI fingerprint files. You can ensure this by simply twisting your finger ever so slightly as you press down, which will leave an illegible smudge that's useless to a fingerprint examiner. Only once has a teller noticed the smear and asked me to repeat the process, at which point I pitched a fit to the manager, who then examined my actual ID and cashed the check.

My objection to the fingerprint system, other than the privacy angle, is that it does nothing to prevent fraud because the bank cannot determine if the fingerprint belongs to the person who should be cashing the check, so by the time it's of any use, the crime has already been committed. Worse, it encourages tellers to be sloppy in obtaining AND VERIFYING proper identification.

I have no objection to my bank requiring two or more IDs from someone who is cashing one of MY checks, because it's MY money and I EXPECT my bank to very, very carefully check the identity of anyone taking money out of my account so that the are absolutely certain they are dispensing my money to the proper person. If they have the slightest question, I expect them to stop the transaction and call me if necessary to confirm the check is valid and being cashed by the right person.

This is far different from government requiring you to present ID randomly, just so it can check on you. If you do business with me, one of the requirements of doing so is that you fully identify yourself when presenting my check to my bank for cash. If you don't agree to that condition, then ask me to pay you in cash, not by check.

I get really unhappy when my bank DOESN'T check endorsements and payees. One time I put the electric check in the phone envelope and vice versa. Both checks got cashed. When I went to the bank to ask how this happened, I was told "Oh, we can't check EVERY endorsement." I read them the riot act, explaining that I DEMAND that they do so, because I'm paying them for that fiduciary duty and I have a right to expect them to only dispense my money to the proper payee. The manager shrugged her shoulders and told me it was too much work, so I closed my account on the spot.

Helmut, I have two Canadian addresses which I have been using for over five years. I do have a license from Ontario and a valid Ontario address for mail. I decided to renew the license (if they don't say anything). I've already made the road test appointment.

Interesting thing, my 2nd Canada address providence will not issue me a license unless I prove residency even if I'm trying to trade in my Ontario license.

BTW, I closed the Washington Mutual bank account. I'm hoping Chase Bank did not cross reference the accounts.

I was told that I would need two items of government issued photo-id to do so.

I didn't want to create a problem for my friend or his company, so I simply deposited it to one of my own accounts.

I was however, struck with how difficult it has become to negotiate a check these days. Any comments or suggestions would be welcome. Thank you.

... Banks have always asked non-customers for ID before cashing a check. My only surprise was that you were asked for TWO forms of GOVERNMENT ID. I have always found that a passport alone was sufficient.

My current pet peeve with banks is that some--if not all--will not accept third-party checks even for deposit.

Note to Andi--please use < p > [without spaces] when you wish to start a new paragraph. (I added them this time.)

While supposedly the feds are not allowed to keep records of these forms and sales, the FFL does have to retain the records, which the federal BATF can always have access to.

For private party sales, gun shows are good, but there are FFL dealers there too, so you have to look carefully and ask questions. You can also check ads in the papers, and online sites such as Gunbroker.com, which may have private parties, but you can only legally buy from within your state.

The above is only addressing federal requirements. It is possible that your state has more onerous laws that will make private firearm purchases impossible. And, you may want to act quickly, as the new administration may clamp down on gun rights.

Here's a challenge for you chemists in the group: What procedure can be used to launder (literally, not figuratively) bills to remove all detectable traces of cocaine without damaging the bills? What chemicals would take any drug traces into solution and bind them well enough to make any field test or drug-dog unable to detect any traces?

I'm quite serious in this request, and somebody (some scientist working at a university perhaps) ought to do the research, in the public interest, and publish the methodology so that INNOCENT people will not have their money seized by overzealous drug agents.

This is in fact the principle obstruction to my plan to obtain and keep on hand (in a safe of course) several hundred thousand dollars (at least three years operating expenses) in cash. How does one get untainted bills, or clean potentially tainted bills so that one can be positive they are not detectably contaminated? Going to the bank and asking for wrappers of brand-new 100 dollar bills seems like asking for trouble to me, even if you get less than 5000 per transaction, because you'd have to make many trips. I also doubt that you'd get away without serious discussions with federal agents if you just went in and asked for 100,000 in new bills. My guess is that all sorts of alarms would go off in all sorts of three letter agencies, who would be crawling up your fundament trying to figure out what you're doing with the cash.

I also live in CA with FL credentials. I have two CA registered vehicles in my wife's maiden name (both are financed and therefor don't work for NM LLC ownership) I have been pulled over twice since last June with no problems (two warnings). Officer asked me how come I have a car registered in CA and a FL license. I simply said that the car belongs to a friend and I'm using it while on business here in CA. All 100% the truth. In your case I might read HTBI again for truthful, legal creative ways to protect your privacy. Now all is compromised with a CA license as they I'm sure have your physical address and that is never good.

For my SUV, Pennsylvania wanted a copy of a utility bill to prove that the Canary Island address for my LLC was "valid." My explanation that the CI's were in Spain was irrelevant to them. So, on my return visit a couple days later, I presented a record of the LLC's monthly rental payments to the "property management company" that "owned" our facility, along with a statement to the effect that all utilities were included in the lease agreement. This was acceptable to them

I was also required to show documentation that I personally was authorized to conduct business on behalf of the LLC with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. An "official" letter from my "partner" authorizing me as the "Senior Engineer" to do so was satisfactory.

Not sure I would advise this tack for everyone, but it worked.