The idea is NEVER to use the cell phone, prepaid or not, to call or text anyone, especially relatives and known associates because it can be tracked and pinged as well as leaves records of calls/texts everywhere you call or text. You can't slack or give in and let some people call or text you or your cell phone because it's easier for them, either. And, frankly, I wouldn't let anyone know what cell phone provider I use, either, no matter what it is.

Disappearing is WORK, can be expensive and your technique must be honed as conditions change (like surveillance technology and techniques in a surveillance society like the US or UK). It's worth it once the hard part is over, though.

Tor/Privoxy can be used with VPNs to clean up your tracks on the internet and preventing certain things from ending up on your hard drive, like permanent cookies and incriminating files. Privoxy also hides the applications you're using through your browsers. (Go to network-tool dot com and use the "Privacy dot net Browser Test" to see what I mean by "revealing applications you're using through your browsers".) They're more commonly used with SSH tunnels. (You can look that up on Wikipedia.) SSH tunnels protect more but can be complicated to set up, according to my research. As complicated as it all seems, it's not that hard to learn so do your research and experiment with VPN services until you find one that works for you.

However, Tor is a controversial investigator magnet and gets blacklisted from a number of sites because of the way it's been used so it's better to use other tools, like Firefox add-ons, to achieve those things Tor/Privoxy are supposed to achieve. You can use tools that disable javascript (which can reveal your IP address and other information) and prevent "clickjacking", something hackers and PIs use to trick you into revealing your IP address.

A GOOD, encrypted (SSL-128 bit or better) VPN like the one below should work for you, if you want basic protection. They are especially important when you're using wireless and some are even available for use on PC and iPhones.

HOWEVER, if you're running from the law or intending to do anything illegal, it won't matter what you use, you'll probably be caught. Keep in mind that services in the US and EU are subject to the USA Patriot Act and all that implies. Like US-based email, warrantless searches are permissible no matter what law enforcement officials say publicly.

If you not flouting the law in any way, you need to determine if it's just about privacy for you and you want to use an offshore VPN provider that offers offshore and US server services (but makes it hard for an individual who thinks you have money and wants to sue you, a stalker or investigator to find your or subpoena the VPN provider's records because it's expensive too do overseas as HTBI says about the Canary Island address) to further protect your privacy and location. Again, however, if you're the subject of three-letter agency investigation, a VPN won't protect you, at least for long.

Finally, a VPN isn't the be all and end all of internet privacy protection. You STILL need to have good firewall, antivirus and anti-spyware software installed on your computer. If you're using Windows, keep it updated. Use other protection software (check out CNET's download.com "security/privacy" software for more information) and use FIREFOX, NOT IE to access the internet. And DON'T do anything illegal or "gray area". You still have the same obligation to use common sense online, VPN or not.

Submitted Link #1: http://www.witopia.net/...

Aite Group reveals that at least 14% of bank customers would be better off using prepaid debit cards than checking accounts.

A good use of a nominee?

Submitted Link #1: http://www.aitegroup.com/reports/200902111.php...

I know of several others who use it as well. My brother-in-law has a fairly new site that is growing fast. Another acquaintance has a more mature site that makes a modest amount of money. Of course there are the people highlighted on the SiteSell site itself as well...

Your success with this or any other small business will be directly related to how much work you put into it (provided you have a sound business model). If you do it casually you will only ever reap casual results. Only when you put your heart into -- and lots of hard work -- will you reap full rewards.

Submitted Link #1: http://www.disaster-emergency-preparedness-kits.co...

2) Medical billing and coding or medical transcription? In "folklore" as a medical transcriptionist (for 18 of the past 22 years), I have heard tales of "blind" transcriptionists who have some sort of accessibility software on their computers to enable them to do this. I'm really sorry, but I never delved deep enough into that "folklore" to discover the specific methods used to accomplish that, as I'm not personally blind. My guess is that it is either text magnification or text-to-speech for proofreading purposes.

(3) Telemarketing from home?

As you may have noticed, all these ideas are based on verbal skills alone or in combination with written or typing skills. Most of the time, these ideas would end up with the person being an "employee" as opposed to a "contractor".

In my own meanderings as an "employee" who works from home, I am still working out the kinks in ghost addressing in my rural location. The solution I found for allowing my company to deliver packages to me without them knowing my actual home address would lead to complications with state and local taxation if I take the final step and label the CMRA as my "home address." The CMRA is located in a different county, and that other county doesn't have a county income tax, so I'm hesitant to list the CMRA as my "home address." Looking for suggestions on that one as there are no CMRAs in my native county.... Like "Jim" in other posts, friends and relatives are OUT as prospects for that issue! Thanks! (and sorry for covering multiple topics in one post!)