I was absolutley shocked to find some information about myself right there online, and I have been working on securing my privacy for at least a year now. I haven't moved from my home, which is paid for, but will need to do so to achieve absolute privacy.

I searched for a friend of mine who isn't privacy centric, and I couldn't believe all the things I came up with. It even included stuff from 5 or 10 years ago, forgotten online profiles and things like that. VERY informative website! On an aside, has anybody else had the problem that I have had with getting anything automotive related done?

I've been to 3 different shops in the last two or three weeks for various things, and they all wanted my personal information.

I'm just about ready to print up a couple of business cards with fictitious information and tell them, here's my card. Of course, they will have my license plate number and can find me if they can find a police officer to comply, but that is technically illegal I believe.

One shop tried to pull it after I had the work done, and they asked me for my last name, which is fairly common. Then they asked me for my first name, and I just gave them my usual (very common) nickname, after some heated discussion, which included me stating I was paying for it with cash, what was the problem? She did not ask for any further information after that.

It was just for buffing an aluminum wheel, so she did not need my information for warranty work. Any suggestions?

Submitted Link #1: http://www.peekyou.com...

... (Joseph, I added http:// because without that, the URL will not work.)

I spoke with four different brain dead Costco worker bees and soon realized that they had no idea what they were doing. They really don't know the first thing about how companies operate. One of them stated that I needed a letter from my Board of Directors, to which I replied there is no such thing for an LLC. Another said I actually had to go to New Mexico to open my Costco business account! One insisted that the state of New Mexico would have to send me a letter verifying that I own the company. The list goes on, and they eventually stated that they weren't really sure what the rules were and that I had to speak with their manager to go any further. Of course, the guy never calls back and can't be reached when I call the store.

This brings up one point and one question:

First, I've said it before and I'll say it again: Sometimes it's WORSE to try and have certain services/utilities/memberships/etc in the name of a company because it is more difficult or simply draws more attention to you than is necessary. I believe it is better to have these services in an alternate name or in the name of a nominee.

Second, have any of your clients ever had any trouble PROVING that they are the owner of an LLC when it comes to things like titling real estate? How common is my Costco dilemma? Any attorney would know that whoever holds the original LLC documents is probably the owner, right?

Thanks,

... 1. Regarding "brain dead Costco worker bees," Costco is a special case. I suspect that in another branch it might be easier, but I would NOT show LLC documents to Costco because--as they say--your name does not appear. I got my Costco membership some years ago and I don't recall showing them anything at all other than a business card and my passport.

2. In the past, for real estate, I've had to print up a resolution, signed by me, for a title company. At least one other person did the same. But since Rosie started giving receipts last summer, I've not heard of any problems with real estate.

3. I have not heard any complaints about Costco before, but on the other hand I think most persons just get a personal, not a business account.

4. Although I once wrote that possession of the original documents shows ownership, I would not say that is always true. Each company (including Costco) has its own rules about what is or is not acceptable. Also, much may depend upon how the applicant presents himself or herself.

If you get hired, you will have a chance to add your last name.

The best route to landing a job is to identify companies that can use your skills and knock on the door. Dont call, go there, in person, and talk to them.

I have a regular job, that I love, is a perfect match of my skills, and pays pretty well.

I found it thru networking, I knew someone that already worked there. They received 400 applications for this part time job, which later turned into full time. You can not compete with 200-400 others with the employer only seeing you on paper, you must bypass that and knock on doors of businesses that are not advertising.

My employer has my CMRA address,they do not have my actual street addy.

... Well done, Stan!

Many real estate owners have to deal with census forms arriving at their vacant rental properties. On these forms they simply write "vacant rental property" and mail them back in.

Coincidentally, some occupants have even moved out of the property the day (or day before) the form arrived. In this case, "vacant rental property" would have to be written on the form to stay truthful. If someone moved back in the day after the form was returned, it would simply be an issue of bad timing on the government's part.

I checked out a related article, and was not at all not surprised at the arrogance implied in this quote:

"One who does not wish to disclose his movements to the government need not use a cellular telephone...."

I did recently go to a regionally-based hardware store. When I paid (in cash), I was asked for my name. I said, "Thank you; no."

Then I was given the usual "the-computer-needs-that" business. As politely as possible, I said, "I don't want to give my personal information to buy a widget. I am paying cash. Maybe if you just put anything there..?"

Silence...then I was given my total, paid, and left.

Turned out I did not need the item after all (thanks to a helpful neighbor), so I took it back with the receipt. I was again asked for my name. I smiled and said, "I never provided it." "Oh, we need it for the computer." "Oh! Well...just put whatever you like--Miss Customer should work."

I got my money back.

Now here is something (and I was pleasantly surprised): I went to Petco and was asked if I had one of their discount cards. I said I didn't (I'd destroyed it long since). The clerk rang up my purchase--and took off the discount as if I had a card! When I got home, I discovered a card had been placed in with my items--no name; no telephone. I have no plans to use it, though I am tickled that they would just hand me a card w/out the personal info.

Perhaps it varies by area/town, or by business..? Around here, you're liable to run into folks you know at any time and at any place, so maybe cashiers are a little less likely to make waves when someone doesn't want to give them the farm to buy a 99-cent sack of pretzels.

Thank you all again.