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From / Date: |
Question / Answer: |
| 8292. |
Marissa
San Mateo, CA
Age: 42
Dec 8, 2010
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Re: 8290, Mailbox Rental & ID copies
Mike, you mentioned FedEx rental boxes. Five years ago, when I rented a private box, I called 10 places and all but two wanted to keep a photocopy of my ID, not just look to verify picture and ID number on my application. I recommend calling first to ask about company policies.
I think your best bet is a small, privately owned rental box company, not UPS or FedEx. I would avoid those bigger companies for many reasons. FYI: The last time I rented a USPS box (12 years ago) they did not photocopy ID.
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Marissa, Mike is talking about shipping via UPS, not about renting a box.
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| 8291. |
Brian
Detroit, MI
Age: 22
Dec 8, 2010
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UPS requires ID for shipping
I've shipped at Customer Centers before without showing ID. I guess that's a thing of the past now.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/news/2010/12/07/u...
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More business for the United States Postal Service, eh?
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| 8290. |
Mike
minneapolis, mn
Age: 35
Dec 7, 2010
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Getting a PO Box
I had a question regarding getting a PO box, (whether with USPS or FedEx) that maybe someone could help put my mind at ease. When you sign up for one you're required to provide identification right? Do they take copies of your information or is it just used to prove who you say you are? I mean do they keep a picture of you on file somewhere?
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In my experience, no copy is kept. HOWEVER, this may not be the case in all post offices. In any event, use your passsport, not your DL.
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| 8289. |
Everett
Panama City, FL
Age: 58
Dec 7, 2010
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Jacob Appelbaum: A Man Who HAS to Guard His Privacy
This is a long "Rolling Stone" article about Jacob Appelbaum, TOR developer and the only known American member of WikiLeaks. Though just 27 years old, he could write his own book about privacy. The article is not all about privacy, but it's well worth setting aside some time to read.
"There are degrees of privacy," he says. "The normal thing nowadays is to conspicuously report on one another in a way that the Stasi couldn't even dream of. I don't do that. I do not enter my home address into any computer. I pay rent in cash. For every online account, I generate random passwords and create new e-mail addresses. I never write checks, because they're insecure — your routing number and account number are all that are required to empty your bank account. I don't understand why anyone still uses checks. Checks are crazy."
Submitted Link #1: http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/17389/238...
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Note to readers: I do not agree with Jacob Appelbaum's choices and do not recommemnd them to others.
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| 8287. |
Lewis
Athens, GA
Age: 39
Dec 6, 2010
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Doctor? Lawyer? How About Plumber?
I just wanted to post this in case someone hasn't read it:
Something is to be said for vocational training, especially in Georgia where you can use the HOPE Grant and go learn plumbing, or become a a certified Auto Mechanic.
Submitted Link #1: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB114296244999304228...
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| 8286. |
Mark
Sarasota, FL
Age: 51
Dec 6, 2010
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8283 Mary
Your phone issues may be due to the security system or other remote programmable electronics in their home. Security systems with remote programming (by the security company) are designed to answer on the first ring, once a second phone call is initiated. This is known as answer machine bypass and allows remote computer connections. I have also seen phone systems and other electronics perform the same way. Maybe try waiting 60 seconds before the next call. Hope this helps.
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Says a friend who is an expert in this field:"Mark's answer to her telephone problem is spot on. The people she's calling may have an alarm system with these characteristics."
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| 8285. |
Susan
Chula Vista, CA
Age: 40
Dec 6, 2010
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Govt. now doing warrantless, real-time credit card tracking
The Feds are now watching your plastic purchasing habits in real-time. JJ's advice on using cash and anonymous prepaid cards applies now more than ever!
Submitted Link #1: http://www.businessinsider.com/credit-card-hotwatc...
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| 8284. |
Mary
Pittsburgh, PA
Age: 40
Dec 5, 2010
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College, it really IS a waste of money
For the most part, anyway. My lovely alma mater was kind enough to hire me years after graduation as an illustrious job as a secretary, paying a whopping $16,000 a year. When a university offers 3k more money a year to a janitor supervisor (only HS degree required) vs less money to a researcher with 5 years of experience and or a masters degree, that sure does tell you something about how much they 'value' their own degree programs. All you have to do is go online and look at their internal job listings and compare salaries.
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You aged two years since your previous post???
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| 8283. |
Mary
Pittsburgh, PA
Age: 38
Dec 5, 2010
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Weird phone issues and a few other things
We still have a land line (I know, I know...). Anyway, to contact a family member I let it ring once, and then hang up and call again. Every time I do this, the second time I call I get a fax tone! They don't have a fax. So, then I call again and it rings normally. I checked the phone bill and it doesn't show any number but the one I call. Any idea what this could be, or is it just the phone company screwing up? Another thing that just happened to us, we had an infernal 'census' worker show up. They wanted to know if we were 'selling agricultural products'. Coincidentally, the Senate passed the S 510 Food "Safety" Bill, which is very scary in itself. Thank you so much for your illuminating book! The way this govt is going, everyone should be invisible! I do have a question, has anyone had a problem with using their LLC to register a vehicle in Pennsylvania?
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| 8282. |
Trish
Antwerp, Belgium
Age: 59
Dec 4, 2010
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Auto Registration for off the gridders...
If I wanted to live in Canada or America and live off the grid how can an automobile be registered without an official address and how can it be renewed when needed?
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Register it in WA with an official address, such as the one I offer in Spain. When the annual notice comes in to your Spanish address, it will be sent on to you. Then mail the money to WA.
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| 8281. |
Trisha
Colorado Springs, CO
Age: 61
Dec 3, 2010
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USPS barcodes
Can I legally remove or deface the USPS barcode on my home mail receptacle?
My residence mail receptacle now has a sleeve affixed with a slip of paper bearing my last name appearing upside and a barcode on the back. I have removed it, only to find it reinserted with a new one by postman along with a note chastising me not to do so again. I have blackened it out...same response from mail carrier. I read in May 2009 the USPS implemented an updated program regarding barcodes, but I can't find my answer online.
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Just leave a note in the box that you do not receive mail at this address. Then don't clean it out of flyers or anything else. It will soon be listed as inactive.
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| 8280. |
Sam
Jacksonville, FL
Age: 27
Dec 2, 2010
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This story discusses the race to "fingerprint" computers and cell phones.
Submitted Link #1: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100014240527487046...
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| 8279. |
Rick
Texas City, Texas
Age: 25
Nov 30, 2010
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Other People's SS# OK to Use?
According to several recent federal Court decisions, it is not considered a criminal offense to use another person's Social Security number with your name as long as you are not intentionally impersonating someone else.
According to the Court's logic, because the person using the other SS# was unaware as to whether said SS# was valid or not, criminality as far as using another SS# than your own is negated.
Now please understand that I am NOT advocating for identity theft or breaking any laws here, but this sounds like it could be lawful in some circumstance when using a SS# that is not yours without impunity.
Is this even true though?
Submitted Link #1: http://redtape.msnbc.com/2010/11/courts-using-ano
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| 8277. |
Hermes
chicago, IL
Age: 21
Nov 29, 2010
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bank account
Today I sucessfully opened a bank account at a ghost address. Showed my passport for ID and claimed I had just moved in to a new place so I had no mail to prove the address. Little did I know 2 forms of ID are needed to open a new account, but they accepted an old checkbook with a soon to be useless address.
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I have never had a problem with using a ghost address for a bank account. As long as they have SOME street address, they are usually happy.
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| 8274. |
Chelton
HAMTRAMCK, MI
Age: 37
Nov 27, 2010
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Apple iPod Touch-Is this OK to store private info. when travelling light?
Rather than lug around a netbook everywhere I go, I thought I'd buy an iPod Touch, since it seems to allow one to surf the net using WiFi, although I wonder if these could be monitored from Apple Headquarters or some government agency, like cell phones. Apparently taking the battery out of the iPod Touch is a big "no no" according to the Apple Store I recently visited.
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| 8272. |
Drake
LA, CA
Age: 36
Nov 27, 2010
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Cell Phone Bugged?
Is my cell phone bugged?
The question can be answered in general - and specifically for Susan's friend - like this;
The short answer is "Yes" BUT unlikely if the ex has never had physical contact with the phone and she hasn't downloaded spyware disguised as an app by mistake. Everyone ought to keep track of their phone's physical location and never download questionable apps. (Who made it? Who is distributing it? What is is supposed to do? Do you REALLY NEED it?) Those are the most common ways of being compromised.
Best advice... Susan's friend should buy a new, very basic, non GSM, cell phone to use for her confidential calls. Continue to use the old one for routine traffic but salt conversations with 'one-time' bits of info that should get back to her if the ex is eavesdropping. Keep a log of these incidents for possible use as circumstantial evidence of illegal eavesdropping. (That means dates, times, information sent, person who was openly party to the conversation and exactly how the information re-surfaced.)
Also, get out of the 'friends and family' contract. Go solo, your privacy is more important. It could be the ex is getting a copy of her phone bill by virtue of being in the group.
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| 8271. |
Seth
Collbran, CO
Age: 50
Nov 27, 2010
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Cell phone bugs
"The ex would eventually get the new one, unless she dropped a lot of friends..."
Well, there's your problem right there...
If she has "friends" who are willing to compromise her security by giving her phone number to her ex, she NEEDS to drop a lot of friends, if she's really at risk.
That's the price you pay to drop off the radar to avoid an ex who is stalking you.
As for both tracking and interception of calls, yes, both are technically possible, both are not dead easy to do, and the latter, at least, is a federal felony offense, so if she can prove he's doing it, she might be able to put him away.
If there's real danger involved, she needs to take radical action including, I recommend, obtaining a handgun and learning how to use it, and a CCW permit if one is available.
Of course the FIRST thing she needs to do is to file a stalking complaint with the police and get a restraining order put in place. In many jurisdictions this will permit her to get a CCW permit on an emergency basis that will not require her to reveal her actual new location.
Her plan of action depends entirely upon the actual or perceived degree of threat to her safety. If she's just being paranoid, changing phones and being careful who she gives the number to is probably sufficient.
If she's in physical danger, she needs to take serious, life-disrupting action immediately, and she needs to consult with professionals about disappearing quickly, which can be much more difficult than simply trying to live "invisibly."
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| 8270. |
Dorothy
Topeka, KS
Age: 45
Nov 26, 2010
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Seth-8269-cell phones and stalkers-Susan's friend
Seth and Susan: Susan's friend actually needs two phone numbers. One of the numbers will be turned off, battery removed, and she will only use it for voicemail. When she finds herself in situations where she absolutely has to give a phone number (business situations, doctor's offices, etc.), she will give the (first) turned-off-battery-removed number. She will ONLY give the second phone number to people (probably fewer than 5 people total) whom she trusts completely with her very life. Basically, that number will be available for calling 9-1-1 and for immediate trusted family to reach her if a mutual family member dies. Everybody else will get a number (the first number) that will go straight to voicemail and require a call-back. The call-back will be made only when absolutely necessary. Whenever possible, the call-back will made during a time-frame that Susan's friend knows the recipient will not be available, and therefore she will be able to leave a message rather than speak to them directly. Whenever possible, Susan's friend will place that call from at least 20-50 miles away from her actual home or place of employment, before removing the battery again, and before returning to where Susan's friend sleeps at night. I know this sounds complicated. Think of it as if Susan's friend was entering the Witness Protection Program...
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| 8269. |
Seth
Collbran, CO
Age: 50
Nov 26, 2010
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Cell phone bugs
Susan, if you think your phone is bugged, the easiest thing to do is dump the phone. Why waste time trying to figure out if it is bugged?
Tell your friend to get a new phone, a new phone number, and a new carrier, and to get the account using an LLC, NOT HER NAME, as per JJ's advice, or get a pay-as-you-go phone.
Oh, and don't give out the number to ANYONE you cannot trust absolutely.
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| 8268. |
Susan
Osprey, Florida
Age: 50
Nov 26, 2010
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Reply to Drake and Nancy
Drake,
Thanks for your help. The ex husband is in the extended network we both have. She could change her number. The ex would eventually get the new one, unless she dropped a lot of friends.
For now, she wants to know if he is really listening to her. Could you tell me what is involved?
Nancy, Thanks for the article.
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