He was lying to you. What he wanted was all sorts of personal information that he could sell to a data aggregator and to aftermarket "warranty" companies so they can solicit you for goods and services, on which he makes money.

Remember, if someone invokes a law requiring you to give them information, challenge them to cite the SPECIFIC STATUTE and actually, physically show you the official document that dictates this.

If they cannot produce an official document, then tell them that the transaction hinges on their ceasing to be nosey Parkers, or better yet, go somewhere else.

You'll find that 99 percent of the time they were lying to you in order to make money. That's a good sign that you don't want to do business with them in the first place, and I'd certainly never return there for service.

Also, on this note, as relates to Carfax, I vaguely recall that there is some obscure federal statute that prohibits a person from concealing the VIN number of your vehicle that's found behind the windshield. I'll do a bit of research on this, but my recommendation is that you cover it either with black tape, or you just "accidentally" conceal it with some object that you've glued permanently in place. This prevents thieves from easily obtaining your VIN, which they can use to have duplicate keys made, which is now necessary due to the key-chip based security systems in newer cars.

"On a cash sale?" I asked.

"Homeland Security," was his answer.

Unbelievable.

... I disagree, Lloyd, that privacy cannot be maintained even when you pay cash. You can buy from any private party, pay cash, and have no problem. With a dealer, ask about his policy before you buy. Also, it's best to use an LLC.

I spoke with a Toyota dealer just ten days ago, about buying a new Tundra with a NM LLC. He said no ID was needed (thus, one could use a pen name to sign for the LLC) and there would be no Homeland Security check as long as I paid cash and licensed the vehicle in the same state. I don't buy from dealers, of course, but I was checking for other readers. A few days later I bought a 2004 Tundra Limited with only 17000 miles on it from a private party. Runs just like new!

What is the most efficient way to jump to a specific question number and continue reading forward from there?

I know how to search for a topic but sometimes I would like to read the following posts in chronological order. It would also help me pick up where I left off last time. When I'm away from my computer for a few weeks I really get behind in the Q and A.

Thanks!
Ann PS. Thank you for all of your wonderful eBooks. They have been very helpful. Invisible Money is essential but Off the Grid is a personal favorite.

... I'm not sure if this will be the solution, but my Wed designer is going to set up a way to jump straight to certain pages. However, he's been delayinig on this for a month so I don't know when it will get done.

Is there any way of visiting the U.S. without have your private life violated? Are some points of entry (e.g. plane, bus, car) better for this than others?

I don't want to lie on the U.S. Customs forms.

... Assuming you cross the border in a train, bus or in your car, I don't think there are problems such as you mention, but I'll ask our Canadian readers to reply. The main trick is to act like you've been thorough before, and not show signs of nervousness.
... (I am a frequent border crosser and I sail through with no problems, no delays, nada, but of course I am not a Canadian. Also, both sides DO photograph my license plate each time.)

Only issue has been how to avoid giving my parents my real address. Don’t see an issue with not giving it to them. They have my PO Box address and cell phone number if they ever need to contact me. We live 200 miles apart and my father is disabled. So, they wont be visiting my place anytime soon. What if they ever need directions? Should I just not tell them if I moved? For some reason parents just want to look at where I’m living at on Google street viewer. Any advice on a blanket statement I could give them about where I’m living?

... You might tell them the truth, that you are working on some privacy goals. You could offer to send them my book. Also, send them a picture of where you live, and a street scene, without naming the street. Then they won't need to check the Google street viewer.