Jack: I think your suggestion was brilliant! I would never have thought of it.

There are literally thousands of homeless people everywhere and almost all of them have I.D. they have to, to keep from being hassled by the police. A $100 is a lot of money to them. It's a seller's market. I probably could have made a deal at $50 or less but my sense of equity got in the road. The biggest problem is that they may all be lining up to make the deal with you, urinating while standing in line. Bring a large cup if you intend to help out.

There's an unlimited supply of them and they want the money. I will perfect my approach and winnowing out methods in contacting and processing them as nominees for myself and perhaps others who are having trouble coming up with a suitable nominee in my area.

Part two:

I drove out of that parking lot and headed across the street. Rose was standing next to the Taco Bell restaurant in the back. I pulled up close to her, unlocked my doors and she got in.

Rose and I talked about Mike. He was a good guy but started drinking, when he had the beer, the moment he woke up. He never had enough money for drugs so beer was his de facto poison of choice.

Rose is 51 years old, clear headed and quick. I asked her what her story was. She said she was living at a Catholic Charity Women's Shelter and was rehabbing from a convection of possessing amphetamines, a felony. I gulped. I hadn't thought about that. We live in different worlds.

She had one month to go on a four month program. I encouraged her. Can you really kick amphetamines in a four month program? She said she'd been clean for about a year. But isn't everybody in rehab "clean for about a year"? Maybe I'm just being cynical.

It then occurred to me that many homeless people are homeless because of a drug or alcohol problem. Guess I'm a little slow.

"What is the phone number at the shelter so I can get a hold of you?"

"They won't let us give that number out."

I was becoming suspicious.

"There are sixty women living there and if they all gave out the phone it would be a madhouse."

Ok, makes sense. My suspicions began to subside.

"I have a cell phone."

This I was very surprised to hear. How could a homeless person have a cell phone? She promptly produced it from her purse. It was a bright blue T-Mobile phone.

"I don't have any minutes left on it though."

I explained to her what I needed; to have her sign notarized papers granting me a limited power of attorney to open a bank account and conduct business using her name and that she would not be able to use the bank account. And that it was all on the up and up. My attorney would handle the paperwork and there would be nothing illegal involved. That didn't seem to make much difference to her one way or the other. I said I would pay her $100 and help her expunge her criminal record, about $120, when she completed the drug rehab program.

Rose seemed capable of going the distance of actually doing some tasks for me in the future so I had no qualms in painting some carrots on the windows.

I had been sorting through all the banks and credit unions in Orange County to find the ones with only one branch. There were five. I had already "burned" one with Mike when I went first to the bank before I had any papers signed with him. I had told the bank that I was trying to help out a friend who was a savant and didn't interface with the real world like us. Well, I had to tell them something and that seemed saleable.

It was a big mistake in going to the bank before I had the papers signed. When Mike washed out what could I do with that bank? Tell them I have another friend who is a savant? I must have tapped into the mother load of savants.

Now there were only 4 single office banks left. I decided I could not risk screwing up another as I expected the attrition of the remaining 4 might be high and I didn't want to have to drive into Los Angeles to prospect more banks.

I decided to take a different approach so as not to burn another bank. I would try a larger bank with many branches just for practice. They would probably turn us down but I would learn something in the process. Then I thought. "Why not try my bank?" They know me and my banking relationship has been good. If they turn us down I will have learned something more and I would not have wasted another single office bank.

I approached my bank, which has many local branches, and spoke to the V.P. who has known me as a client for a few years. I told him I was helping a friend get on her feet and, basically, I would be running the account. There would be two signatures, mine and hers. I would not sign my own name. I would sign hers under a limited power of attorney.

He told me that corporate had a rock hard rule - no double signature accounts. They had had too many problems with such accounts in the past. I asked how we could get past this. He became pensive and didn't say anything so I offered, "Well, we could have just one signature, me signing her name only."

I was surprised he quickly agreed that was a workable solution. But thinking about this after I left the bank, there must be many, many situations where incapacitated, (in mind or body), relatives or friends need bank accounts and someone more reliable than themselves to operate the account for them. I've got to believe this is not uncommon at all. He said he would have to send the Power of Attorney to the head office for approval by their legal department which would only take one day and he would have to run Rose through Check Systems to make sure there wasn't any "abuse" of banks on record like unpaid bank fees or bad checks.

Again I gulped. I'd forgotten all about Check Systems even though I had been well acquainted with them during my days as a Credit Clearing Counselor years ago. Clearing peoples' credit is a nasty job. No tricks here, if it's done correctly, just a lot of hard negotiating. I've got to get up to speed. I'm stumbling along and making too many mistakes.

Most banks want two forms of identification; a driver's license and another ID with a photo. If that is not available they prefer a bank card or credit card from another bank. That seems perfectly unreasonable to me. But I don't think like a bank. Oddly, two banks offered to accept a Costco card as the second I.D.! Do you know how easy it is to get a Costco card? But that's what they wanted and I was not going to argue.

Lesson: call ahead when you prospect the banks and ask all the questions as to what they require to open a personal account and don't be bashful to press the limits a little - but do be pleasant.

Rose had only her State I.D. but she did have a copy of her birth certificate in her purse. How many people have that? It was clean and crisp too. My Banker, however was willing to waive the two I.D. rule because I was signing on the account. That saved me the $50 in getting a Costco card for her. How are you going to know if you don't ask?

"OK, Rose. Here's what we'll do. Give me your cell phone number and I'll write down your information and have my attorney, (I'm my own attorney), draw up all the papers. I'll call you tomorrow and we'll set a time to get together to go to the Notary. OK?"

"Sure, that's OK"

"How can you get your phone working?"

"I have to buy a $10 card to get more minutes."

"OK, where can you do that?"

"Just about anywhere."

"OK, you tell me where and I'll put $10 on your cell."

"Lets find a drug store like CVS. I know there's one up on 17th."

We went to the CVS store on 17th and I paid $10 for more minutes for her cell phone. I asked her to put the minutes on the phone and see if I could call her from my cell. She did and I could call her. That is so cool! Those card suppliers are really making a bundle with pre-paid cards at 10 cents a minute.

"OK, now, Rose, I'll call you tomorrow when the papers are ready to go to the Notary. Probably sometime around 11 o'clock or so. Will that work?"

"Yeah, sure."

"OK, then."

"Where do you want me to drop you?"

"I have to go for my drug test before 6:00 so if you could drop me there that would be great."

"Sure." I said.

When I dropped her off she asked me for $5 for a bus pass and I gave it to her. So now I have $15 invested in Rose.

I'll continue in a couple days when I get together again with Rose to go to the Notary to sign the papers..

Jim

What VPN's do is allow you to "tunnel" through their servers onto the internet and their servers' IP address shows as yours (if configured properly; I make sure my TRUE ISP/wireless connection is set to "local only" and the VPN to "local and internet" with my firewall set to "public network" for the VPN so no file sharing can be done and no one else can see me online (actually, for security, those should be disabled in your network settings, anyway). I used hacker tools to test if anyone could find my computer or the original network and the settings work.)

However, all that said, I prefer NOT to reveal the service provider I use to maintain my privacy (and for legal reasons since I don't know what readers intend to do with a VPN). However, I'll tell you that for home/individual use, a virtual or software VPN is cheapest (under $10/mo for UNLIMITED bandwith/use) and easiest (download and install software, open software, run). The best ones protect email, VoiP phones and IM/chatting. BUT, make sure you're actually on the VPN by checking the IP of the VPN against what your browser shows with a site like "whatismyip.com.

Just search "VPN software" and, whatever you do, DO NOT use a free provider or site. A lot of those folks are hackers and malware/crimeware providers. Go to respected tech mag sites or blogs and research fee for service providers. Softpedia.com is a good site to download software from because, like CNET's download.com, it's spyware free or it says it's not. Keep in mind some limit surfing to a particular number of gigabytes per month and may prevent you from getting on certain sites that recognize you're using a VPN (though I've had few problems). Also, you need to determine if you want a VPN with US servers or not. (Servers located in US or EU make it possible for records to be subpoenaed since your VPN service provider assigns you an IP address each time you log on. Some providers don't keep log records. Check their privacy and subpoena policy and DON'T do anything even REMOTELY illegal.) Also, unless you use a good anonymizer VPN service, your ISP can see the IP address of the VPN servers, so keep that in mind.

Finally, yes, you can disconnect from the VPN and return to the typical way of surfing the net anytime you want. But, I wouldn't go "wireless" anyplace without a VPN, no matter how secure you think the connection is or who you use as a provider. Those connections are routinely spoofed and hacked and most home networks are not at all properly set up.

FYI: I found out that the three credit bureaus have updated their freeze procedures since I last checked. Now you can freeze your credit history online by going to each of the three bureaus' websites. All you need to provide is name, current address, ssn, and dob -- which they already have, anyway. One agency did ask for previous address and another asked some security questions. However, since it is online now, there is no requirement for utility bills and copies of photo ID, etc. You only need that if you opt to freeze your credit history by mail. Oh, you'll also need a credit card to pay $10 for the freeze at two of the bureaus.

The bad news is that freezing your credit history doesn't mean that no one has access to it. They still give it out to various companies for various reasons. And I was appalled to realize how many people could have accessed it just by pretending to be me since the security is not great.

It seems to me that the credit bureaus have co-opted the public's fear of identity theft and used the opportunity to create all sorts of "identity and credit protection" products (of dubious value) that they can sell. Still, I think freezing credit history and opting out of offers does provide some protection against identity theft and a little more privacy.

Thanks especially for the reality check about not trusting the credit bureaus and card issuers. I will definitely try to keep my new name and address out of the credit bureaus' records. Thanks for the advice regarding a second credit card. I will think carefully about the consequences before making any decisions!

Having said that, and in the interests of not being an "enabler..." I would love to see what would happen if Jim were to offer food, food stamps, McDonald's gift certificates, or some form of "currency" that could not be converted into alcohol or another drug-of-choice by the recipient/nominee. Honestly, this sounds like a fantastic response to the "WILL WORK FOR FOOD" signs that I see people holding at interstate highway exit ramps! And I love Jim's plan for making the prospective nominee show up at some point in the future to test their reliability and ability to keep the days of the week straight! AWESOME!

... Well, Dorothy, I'm pretty interested in the outcome myself!

Folks - don't wait. Do it now!

Now I'm trying to come up with some suitable nominees and some ghost addresses. Not as easy as it sounds.

I was surprised and amused when I read on page 158 Jack's suggestion for a nominee: "A homeless person who has not filed a tax return since Truman beat Dewey." Then the more I thought about it the better it sounded. So . . .

I was parked at a restaurant waiting for my wife to arrive and saw this guy rummaging through a restaurant trash can for plastic bottles and tin cans. I'll bet he's homeless, I thought.

"Hey!" "Come here."

"I'm just getting some bottles." he said

"Want to pick up some cash?"

"Sure!"

"Do you have any ID?"

"Yeah. I have a State ID."

"OK, what's your name?"

"Mike"

He showed me his ID.

I explained simply what I wanted and said I'd pay him $100 if he agreed. His eyes brightened as if he'd just won the Lottery. "OK, sure!" "OK, Mike." "Can you meet me here day after tomorrow at 1:00 o'clock? I'll have the papers with me and we can go to the Notary."

"Oh, 1? Yeah, sure. That’s day after tomorrow? What's that? Is that Friday?"

"Yeah, Friday"

"Yeah, sure, Friday. At 1:00 o'clock?"

"Yeah. 1:00 o'clock. You won't forget now?"

"No, I won't forget. 1:00 o'clock. Right? Friday. Right?"

"Yeah, 1:00 o'clock on Friday." Don't forget now."

"OK. I won't forget. 1:00 o'clock on Friday."

I gave him $5 to impress him that I wasn't kidding. He was happy.

The reason I wanted him to come back in a couple of days is I wanted to see if he was even remotely reliable.

Friday came and I was there at the agreed on time. Surprisingly so was Mike. I was thrilled. Then I rolled down the car window.

"Mike!"

"Yeah."

He was drunk as a skunk and he'd peed all over himself and he was not alone. He brought one large black women who wanted to know what this was all about. It took me several minutes to convince her that I only needed one person. She finally stepped back and let Mike talk to me. The other person was another gal who was respectful and quiet but responsive when I asked her who she was.

"Rose." she said.

Mike wanted to get right in the car with his backpack full of beer and one open in his hand. I kept the door locks down. All I need is an "Open container" charge while going to the Notary.

I told Mike he had to be sober. He said he was. I told him to be back same time same place tomorrow sober and he left.

These people are homeless for a reason.

I told Rose I would like to talk to her and she met me across the street behind a Taco Bell to talk.

I'll continue with this saga in a day or so and tell you what happened with Rose.

Jim

... Jim, if you have my e-report on nominees, please read it again. Here's what I say on page 6-- starting with the question from John in Atlanta:

What about chapter 13 in “How to be Invisible,” where you suggest using an undocumented alien, a relative, or even the town drunk for a nominee?

My answer:

"At the time I wrote that, it seemed like a good idea. However, no reader has ever admitted to following that advice so perhaps it was not such a good idea after all!"

The reason I said the ability to dial 911 was "Worrisome" is that I'm concerned if it will report the location I used to purchase them when I don't call 911. I bought them over the net with a credit card tied to my real address.

I'm in California and I have MagicJacks with phone numbers in several other states. What location does it report with those numbers and is it possible for that location to be found when I don't call 911? Sorry I didn't make that very clear.

If I'm going to call 911 I will use a cell or . . .

There are IP providers that will provide an untraceable IP address for a very nominal fee so maybe that's the best choice for any VOIP phone. I have checked them out and found that the "masking" and "cloaking" providers aren't worth the candle but there are others that will accomplish this rather well.

Eleanor:

The CRAs will merge the information and show one of your names as an AKA. Here's why.

The CRAs use your name and your history of addresses to identify you. They really don't need your SSN, DOB or anything else. If they have any of those, that's just frosting.

Think of the possibility of someone else having that exact same history of addresses, in that same order, and in roughly the same time periods as you. Once you get past two, the chances head for the stratosphere. Once you get past 3 or 4 you're the only one left standing.

Re: "One last thing"

Years ago I went to Trans Union in person to get a copy of my credit report. Of course they asked for my driver's license for identification. I held it up with my finger over the number.

That really [made the woman unhappy]. She insisted that she had to copy it. I refused and a discussion ensued. I put up quite a fuss. My philosophy is if you're going to cause a scene, be seen. I attempted to force her to state that she refused to give me a copy of my credit report after I had properly identified myself. In which case I would immediately contact the state's AG's office and she knew it.

I insisted she call her supervisor. It did take about 45 minutes but I left with my credit report and without allowing them to copy my driver's license. Small victories.

You can certainly refuse to involuntary to give them any more information than they already have but be prepared to be hassled in a major way and to spend some time.

Jim

Just use your passport for ID. If you've done everything the HTBI way, then that shouldn't be a problem to use a valid ID and not try to intimidate others into not copying your fake one. If you still live at the same address you did when you got your passport, even that shouldn't be a problem because your passport doesn't reveal your address to the person to whom you're showing it. The entire purpose of HTBI is to stay under the radar by using LEGAL tactics to do so. Altering government IDs and using them as your legitimate ID could cause you the kinds of privacy-killing problems you don't want.

Eleanor, before you get a second credit card on your account (ostensibly, as an "authorized user" card which usually doesn't require SS# info, etc.) check to see what the bank requires (like the SS# of the authorized user, which will be yours) and IF the bank will report that second credit card in your new last name to the CRAs. Make SURE that new name won't show on your credit report. Banks are changing rules constantly and what the rules where when you got the card and what they are now are different. Also, make sure by getting this additional credit card, you're not somehow changing the contract with your and the credit card company. For example, if you've had your credit card for awhile, your old contract may still allow the courts to decide legal questions between your and Discover.

New contracts require arbitration and NO court action (although I got around this by citing "due process" civil statutes when a big credit card company tried that garbage with my mother). Be careful taking this route, whatever you do. Cardholders are slick and don't care about you. Just watch what the banks are doing with our taxpayer funds to know what I mean.

The ONLY use for your drving license should be to show a traffic cop who has stopped you for a driving violation. Hide the driving license in the car (NOT in the owner's manual in the glove box, where thieves may look), and ONLY present it to traffic police. Use it for NO OTHER PURPOSE; use the passport instead!