For example, CMRAs registered with the databases will show up in a search by a bank if you try to use one as your "residence" address for a bank account. BSA laws are very strict about this. I've even had a bank suspend one of my accounts because I used a commercial address as my "residence" address! I had to call and give them a residential address before they would unsuspend the account.

Using a nominee won't prevent the address from showing up in databases as a rented mailbox, but you can at least hide your name by having mail delivered in the name of the nominee or a company (for example, if your mail is forwarded there from a far away ghost address).

Back in my small Austrian home town, everything is very casual, especially if you pre-pay with cash. Seems to be quite the opposite here in the U.S. with the local gyms wanting a credit card or checking account to debit, with a membership application that has more probing questions than what I encountered when I rented an apartment here for 6 months.

Here are some intermediate level computer privacy hints some of your users may be interested in checking out.

Enjoy, Jay

Submitted Link #1: http://lifehacker.com/5544200/top-10-privacy-tweak...

All,

When choosing a CMRA, you may want to first find out if they are affiliated with the AMPC or NPC databases.

AMPC stands for "Associated Mail and Parcel Centers", and NPC stands for "Neighborhood Postal Center". These are national databases that not only share info amongst its members, but also make it easy for certain individuals to quickly determine if an address is "real" or not (although now with Google Street View anyone can).

I recently went to a VERY small "mom and pop" CMRA to open a mailbox, only to find out that even they are affiliated with these databases. I changed my mind and left...

My advice for CMRAs is to have a nominee open a mailbox for you, and have all mail delivered in either their name or the name of a company (most CMRAs will allow you to add a company name with no proof of existence). Have the nominee add you (middle name + mis-spelled last name) to the list of authorized "employees" that are allowed to pick up mail/packages. If the place is a "mom and pop", you can expect very little employee turnover (unlike a UPS Store), so prepare to show your passport once and probably never again. Pay your bill on-time, in-person, with cash, and stick around for a few mins to chat about the weather, and you shouldn't run into any trouble.

Good luck...

Another reason to stay away.

Submitted Link #1: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/20100521/tc_ynews/yn...

This brings up an issue that I'm working on a column about, which is "who should be responsible for identity theft?"

Why should the innocent consumer who has had his identity stolen be held responsible for debts incurred by the thieves? It is the CREDIT AGENCIES who are the ones who are engaging in reckless behavior and civil negligence by extending credit to persons whom they have not POSITIVELY VERIFIED the identity of.

This reminds me of the fingerprint on checks charade that was popular a few years ago. The theory was that requiring someone to put their fingerprint on a check would somehow allow police to track down a fraudulent check writer. I can tell you from experience, that 99 percent of fingerprints on checks are unclassifiable to FBI standards, which means they are quite literally useless.

Congress should be lobbied to pass the "Credit Identification and Verification Act", which would absolve individuals of liability for any and all debts contracted in their name if the creditor cannot provide forensically verifiable proof of the identity of the individual, including photographs and verified state-issued identification to whom the credit was extended. Innocent victims should not be required to prove their innocence as they are now.

This would put an end to identity theft and credit fraud very quickly, since the credit agencies would no longer be able to dun innocent victims for bills run up because of the negligence of the credit company in issuing credit without verified ID.

In June 2007, Threat Level reported that Davis had been the victim of identity theft after someone used his identity to obtain a $500 loan from a check-cashing company. Davis discovered the crime only after the company called his wife’s cellphone to recover the unpaid debt. About four months after that story published, Davis’ identity was stolen again by someone in Albany, Georgia, who opened an AT&T/Cingular wireless account using his Social Security number (.pdf), according to a police report obtained by the New Times. The perpetrator racked up $2,390 in charges on the account, which remained unpaid. Davis, whose real name according to police reports is Richard Todd Davis, only learned a year later that his identity had been stolen again after AT&T handed off the debt to a collection agency and a note appeared on his credit report.

Then last year, Davis discovered seven more fraudulent accounts on his credit report that were opened with his personal information and have outstanding debt, according to the police report. Someone opened a Verizon account in New York, leaving an unpaid bill of at least $186. An account at Centerpoint Energy, a Texas utility, was delinquent $122. Credit One Bank was owed $573, and Swiss Colony, a gift-basket company, was seeking $312.

In addition to these amounts, Davis’s credit report showed five collection agencies were seeking other sums from accounts opened in his name: Bay Area Credit was pursuing $265; Associated Credit Services was seeking two debts in the amount of $207 and $213; Enhanced Recovery Corporation was chasing $250 and $381.

A spokeswoman for the Albany police, who investigated the AT&T/Cingular account but never made any arrest, told the New Times that Davis’ publication of his Social Security number created more victims than just himself. “It’s unfortunate he chose to conduct business in that way,” spokeswoman Phyllis Banks said. “It’s not fair to [AT&T] because they’re losing a pretty substantial amount of money.” LifeLock refused to discuss the issue with the New Times. The company did not respond to a request for comment from Threat Level.

The company was fined $12 million in March by the Federal Trade Commission for deceptive advertising. Lifelock promised in ads that its $10 monthly service would protect consumers from identity theft. The company also offered a $1 million guarantee to compensate customers for losses incurred if they became a victim after signing up for the service. The FTC called the claims bogus and accused LifeLock of operating a scam.

“In truth, the protection they provided left such a large hole … that you could drive that truck through it,” said FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz, referring to a LifeLock TV ad showing a truck painted with Davis’s Social Security number driving around city streets. Davis’ history as an identity-theft victim would seem to call into question the company’s ability to protect consumers from a similar fate.

I looked for the most crime invested area of Los Angeles and rented the most dive, flea bag motel nearest the area. Google Earth helped with the process. I got my receipt for proof (if ever asked). If the locals don’t know who you are, they get in your face and try to interrogate you.

If any gumshoe, PI, etc wants to check the area out they will be earning their money and quite a surprise they will have. I have quite a few LEO friends and mentioned the area in question and they told me they wouldn’t be caught in this area unless they had SWAT or some serious backup.

Hope this helps anyone out in their quest for a great DL address.

... Note to readers: If you follow Fred's advice, I suggest you either go into the area with a bodyguard, or carry a stout cane and a Kubotan. :-)