I have access to your full order history. I know everything you ever bought with a credit card. And yes, there are a lot of studies done on credit card purchases.

Some years ago, someone wrote a paper claiming he could get the age, gender and race only from the credit card purchase history. It worked very well. Today, with your full purchase information, we can even "guess" your income range, number of defendants and even weight. We have a statistical profile of every customer. We can even calculate the odds you eat at McDonald's today, considering you ate there once every X day. In 98% of the time, this model is very accurate.

One drawback is that it requires a lot of information. That is why it takes a few years and then, we are fully able to track you. In many cases, we compare the profile calculated from your purchase history to who you really are (and you thought they asked your income for credit validation) to further improve our models, and track fraud, most of all. It's so sophisticated that if you order products a person in your group never ordered, your card will get automatically locked.

Every time you use your credit card, you leave tracks. And none of it is private. Any police officer can get every purchase you ever made - and it can be used against you. There are many, many cases where credit card purchase history were used to prove DUI (you took a large tab at a bar) indirectly.

Source below

Submitted Link #1: http://www.reddit.com/comments/al3tl/iama_fraud_pr...

Most debit accounts are tied to your checking or savings and will automatically pull money from one of those accounts if the debit account is overdrawn. The manager of our credit union created a savings account (for the debit card) that was not linked to our other accounts in the system. We can transfer money to and from the account but it will not pull from the other accounts if overdrawn. We just have to ensure we stay on top of the amount in the account to ensure we don't overdraw it. We have no other credit cards and use this Visa card for all online and store purchases and have never had a problem. Hope this helps.

I paid cash, but they told me that even if I'd had a credit card, they would still have needed to keep a copy of my ID for the audit. I went along with it because I was exhausted and ill, but it made me very uncomfortable.

I will need to travel several times in the near future, and I would like some advice.

1) My credit cards (which I never use) are under my old name, and do not match my current ID. I am reluctant to update and use my credit cards since I assume the credit bureaus and/or credit card companies will sell my new name and current address to anyone who wants it. Does that sound like a reasonable assumption?

2) Has anyone successfully used a bank debit card with a VISA logo for buying plane tickets, renting cars and hotels, etc.? I am thinking about opening a bank account specifically for this purpose. That way, if the card is compromised, it will only put at risk however much money I have in that account, leaving my regular account safe. Good idea? Silly idea?

3) Has anyone used prepaid cards to rent hotels or cars, etc.? I know that you can get them with your name on them, but you have to fill out a lot of personal info. How would the privacy risk of these cards compare to updating my info on my regular credit cards and thus, the credit bureaus?

4) Are most hotels nowadays insisting on keeping a copy of ID, or is this a Travelodge quirk? I don't mind showing my ID, but having them keep it for years concerns me due to the risk of it being stolen.

5) Any suggestions on finding the most privacy friendly hotels? Do most of you call in advance to ask about their requirements and procedures?

6) If I do need to start using a real credit card, can anyone suggest a privacy friendly one? Ones to avoid?

BTW, my main privacy concern is to keep my personal info from being sold/and or distributed, especially over the internet on those people search websites, etc. I am also somewhat concerned about preventing identity theft.

Thanks for the advice!

... I travel frequently and stay at upscale hotels. I have never had anyone copy my ID. I have ocassionally traveled used a credit card with an alternate name, but have shown a passport with my true name. No questions asked (so far). I suggest you avoid TraveLodge in the future.

For some reason unknown to me I've been put on some "list" which prevents me from checking in online or even at a kiosk at the airport. I always have to talk to a live agent so they can "clear my name" whatever that means. I've never had any problem whatsoever getting on a plane but it's an additional hassle having to wait in line to talk to an agent and as far as I can tell it's basically impossible to get off this "list" once you are on it.

My DL is from a different state with a different ghost address than I used to buy the ticket so the address information conflicts (not a problem when using a passport for ID)

I watched closely when I checked in to see what the agent typed in. My DOB was typed in several times but DOB is on my passport. My address was never typed in. Some number I didn't recognize was typed in which I thought may have been the DL# but it wasn't. On my return flight, there was a tall partition obstructing my view so I couldn't see what was typed in.

Going forward I will obviously use my passport when flying but have I done anything to compromise my privacy with this blunder?

TSA special agents served subpoenas to travel bloggers Steve Frischling and Chris Elliott, demanding that they reveal who leaked the security directive to them. The government says the directive was not supposed to be disclosed to the public.

Frischling said he met with two TSA special agents Tuesday night at his Connecticut home for about three hours and again on Wednesday morning when he

was forced to hand over his lap top computer.

Frischling said the agents threatened to interfere with his contract to write a blog for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines if he didn't cooperate and provide the name of the person who leaked the memo.

"It literally showed up in my box," Frischling told The Associated Press. "I do not know who it came from." He said he provided the agents a signed statement to that effect.

Submitted Link #1: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091231/ap_on_go_ca_st...

---Follow Mr.Luna's advice:Rent do not own if you value privacy.

---When you own anything worth insuring,then society has to know who you are.Why serve the Establishment when you wish to hide from it?

Some background on me: I'm a 34 year old white male, entrepreneur. I have assets, and other people I interact with on a daily basis can probably ascertain this. So I want to protect my assets, and I also have a young family. Many readers here have mentioned the increasing "police state" in U.S., decreasing privacy. I feel this in my everyday life. Although I pay the brunt of taxes in my society, I feel that no one is really looking out for my own protection at the end of the day: the police, the legal system, or government. Interested in your thoughts. And keep up the great work.

... I am not a fan of handguns but if you think you must have one, don't lie on the form.

However, before you do anything, read my e-book Dirty Tricks for Savvy Chicks. I discuss handguns vs. shotguns for home protection.

Hi Frank,

When maintaining your privacy, it’s important that you try to keep things as simple as possible. Also, have you read “How to Be Invisible” yet? Some of your questions are answered in that book, but here is my feedback:

First, it’s awesome that you are paying cash for your house and are putting it into the name of an LLC. This will prevent people from locating your home address by searching the county records. However, I would highly recommend that you do not use that LLC or even the same company name for any other purpose. The more items or services you have tied to a single entity name, the higher the risk that someone will be able to put the pieces together and find you.

Next, utility companies could care less who owns the property where the service will be located. Basically, anyone can sign up for utilities for any address. I personally believe that starting utilities in the name of a company can potentially draw more attention to you than you’d like. Instead, ask each of the utility companies if you can start service without providing an SSN or submitting to a credit check. Sometimes you can avoid this by simply putting down a deposit (sometimes as low as $50). In that case, you should start the service in ANY non-company name (John Smith, etc). I suggest that you start each utility in a different name (once again, less pieces to tie together). If a utility demands a credit check or SSN, either look for an alternative that does not, or use a nominee (see Jack’s nominee book).

Also, you didn’t specifically mention this in your post, but make sure you have a secure ghost address, preferably very far away from where you live. This is good for a million reasons, but especially for when you register your vehicles into the name of a company and need a location for the DMV to mail the new title and registration renewal documentation. Also, make sure you have an anonymous prepaid cell phone with a far away area code. Also get a K7.net phone number. They are extremely handy!

As for banking, opening a bank account in the name of an LLC will eliminate most (if not all) of your privacy. In addition, banking laws require either a tax ID or SSN of a primary LLC member to open the account. Also, you will most likely have to register the NM LLC in the state where you open the bank account. BSA (Bank Secrecy Act) laws make it next to impossible to have an anonymous bank account that you personally open. You will either need to have a nominee open a bank account for you (see Invisible Money) or use cash, money orders, and prepaid credit/debit cards to pay your utilities. In fact, you should be using these methods to pay for everything from this point forward. There is no point in having an anonymous utility or service, only to pay it with a bank account that can be traced back to you.

In closing, I highly suggest that you read all of Jack’s books (starting with How to Be Invisible, if you haven’t read it already). Each provides valuable information to help you better protect your privacy and personal assets. Invisible Money and Skip College are my personal favorites.

Good luck…

1. Regarding personal info demanded by utilities, there is lots of info in this area in HTBI and elsewhere on this site. Suggest you re-read ALL OF IT and make up your own mind how to proceed. IMO, using a nominee and offering a deposit (since there will be no credit history, right?) may be a good way to go. Make sure billing is in the company name only and mail goes to another address.

2. You say NM LLCs do not come with a Tax ID. Of course not! Tax ID numbers are issued by IRS after you form the LLC and apply to IRS. For privacy, use a nominee (or business services which obtain such numbers). To open a bank account (or to "do business" with the LLC), you will usually need a Tax ID number. (If you find a US bank that will open an account without a Tax ID, please let us know!) They WILL ask for your personal info (ID, SSN, etc.). Without it, they will likely not open the account. Have you thought of using a nominee for that?

Finally, what about no bank account at all (and paying by money orders)? Then maybe you don't need the Tax ID number if you will not be "doing business" with the LLC. If unsure, check with a CA attorney knowledgable in LLCs.

Speculation is that FaceBook "sold out" its users' private information for cash, in order to avoid an impending bankruptcy.

If you care about your privacy, be VERY LEERY of using social networking services!

Submitted Link #1: http://www.pogowasright.org/?cat=5&paged=2...

All,

It is still possible to sign up for DirecTV anonymously and without a contract. Here is how you do it:

1. Call them from an anonymous phone to sign up for service (this cannot be done over the Internet). Because you are calling a toll-free number, blocking your number doesn’t do any good. It will repeat your number back to you and ask if it is the home number where you want to install service. Just say yes (it doesn’t matter).

2. Once you get a sales rep on the phone, make up a story about how you are moving in 9-12 months to a facility that doesn’t allow satellite dishes, so you don’t want a contract. Tell them you are interested in the “Purchase Option”. This means that you buy the equipment instead of leasing it (it is yours to keep forever). The rep will try to convince you to sign a contract – just stick to your guns. The equipment comes with a 90 day warranty, and no equipment protection plan is available for it.

3. The rep will then tell you that the equipment must be purchased in “pairs”. This seems stupid, but it is apparently their policy. What this means is that you will have to buy two receivers, the first type is your choice (an HD-DVR receiver is $200), while the 2nd is forced as a plain old standard (non-HD / non-DVR) receiver ($70). If you ask the rep if you can return the 2nd receiver or substitute a different model for it, they will tell you that they personally can’t do anything, but can transfer you to the “Customer Installations” department after the order is placed and that they will (supposedly) help you do either.

4. There will also be a $50 activation fee, but the installation and dish are free and no credit check is required because you are purchasing the equipment. You can therefore sign up with any name you choose. Because there is no contract, you will need to pay the full price for the monthly package you choose (for example, Choice Extra + HD + DVR is $76/month).

5. The installing technician will deliver and setup the equipment (you need to make sure he brings brand new equipment out – they are known to try and slip in refurbished items), but the initial equipment purchase must be paid in advance by some form of credit card. The sales rep specially told me that prepaid credit cards are fine for this. The first month’s bill will arrive 5 days after installation, and payments can be mailed in or paid online with any form of credit card (prepaid is also fine for this). You can also prepay your service for up to 12 months.

So how does this stack up against signing up for service with a contract? Well, by signing a two year contract you will get 3 free months of HBO and Starz that you MUST cancel in advance or you will be automatically signed up for the service under the full contract terms (stuck with it). You can opt out of this when you sign up for service with a contract, but only over the phone and you must make sure the rep triple-confirms that they have opted you out of it.

You will save about $26/month for the first 12 months ($312 total) by signing a two year agreement. Starting with month 13 the full price resumes. Activation is also free with a contract. When all is said and done, you will pay about $612 more over the first two years for anonymous and contract-free DirecTV service. You do get to keep the equipment, but in two years will it still work and/or be worth anything?

In my opinion, if you don’t plan on moving to a location that has a ban on satellite dishes within the next two years, you are better off having a nominee sign you up for a two year contract. DirecTV allows two free satellite dish moves per year, with the initial installation counting as one “move”. Some risks are that DirecTV’s service may be terrible in your area or that they may drop a network that you must have (just like Time Warner is dropping FOX). If you do ever need to cancel the contract, the cost will be $300-$450 depending on how much of the contract is left.

Good luck…

With a membership in a car-sharing organization, I did not need to purchase additional insurance either.

Daily rates now for car-sharing programs are almost what one would pay when renting a car - but you can do it without giving away a credit or debit card number!

I took public transit anonymously, and when I took trips, I opted to take the bus. To this day, I have NEVER been asked to see an ID to purchase a bus ticket with cash (I give my first and middle name only for their records), nor show my ID to board a bus!

It pays to think sustainably too, when thinking of one's privacy, in my opinion.