| #: |
From / Date: |
Question / Answer: |
| 5336. |
Dorothy
Topeka, KS
Age: 40
Feb 1, 2009
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Billson - facebook - identity issues
If the information that can be discovered on the internet about Billson is accurate and not negative (positive or neutral), my thought would be to not mess with it in any way. Rather, I would simply try to establish an alternate address that would become the "public" and "ghost" address of record. In other words, just separate your identity from the address where you sleep at night. If on the other hand, the info is negative (whether true or false, but perceived as negative), I'm not sure what could or should be done about it. I wouldn't recommend a fake facebook, though. One should consider the repercussions if the fake facebook were exposed as an attempt to clean up the image of the true identity. A legal name change in a state favorable for name changes vs. the public records laws might be in order if the truthful information available on the internet were sufficiently negative to justify wanting to disappear thoroughly.
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| 5335. |
Mark
Austin, TX
Age: 25
Feb 1, 2009
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Making a fake profile on facebook, etc.
In response to Billson (#5332), if it were me, I would not make a fake profile. The reason is that if there is someone trying to verify your identity or checking you out that you want to have a relationship with (such as a bank compliance officer, a business partner, a detective, etc.) they might google you, see the wrong info and pictures and conclude that you are may not be who you say you are. Then, you'll probably have explaining to do if you want things to go well... just a though.
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| 5334. |
Mary
Solvang, California
Age: 60
Feb 1, 2009
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Walkie Talkie or other such communication devices
We just read a MSN article on how authorities are able to jam cell signals when they deem it necessary (see referenced article).
Does anyone have a suggestion for a reliable communication device that will allow our family members to keep in touch should jamming ever be implemented on a local or regional level?
Submitted Link #1: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28956016...
...
We keep charged-up Motorola Talkabout GMRS/FRS 2-way radios on hand in case cell phone services are jammed, but of course short-wave radio frequencies could be jammed as well.
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| 5333. |
Jessica
San Francisco, CA
Age: 45
Feb 1, 2009
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Electronic medical records
Hello,
I have read that the Obama administration is crafting a bill to change all medical records into an electronic format. Apparently no one will be able to opt out of this. First, is this true? Secondly, before I read your book, I used insurance and my real name at the physician's office. What can be done about this now? Any additional advice? Thanks
...
If you use insurance, then you will have to use your real name.
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| 5332. |
Billson
New York, New York
Age: 41
Jan 31, 2009
|
William #5311
Because I have a rare first name and unusual last name, a web search on my name will find only things about me and no one else. I don't currently have a facebook or myspace account, but I've thought about getting one simply so that I can put some misinformation out there, such as wrong address and photo. Does anyone see any negative consequences of this? Is it better just to try to keep my name off the web altogether?
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| 5331. |
Theresa
Franklin, TN
Age: 44
Jan 31, 2009
|
Gene- Pen name
Gene- Sadly, JJ is right on about the publishing industry. I'm discussing my book with an interested literary agent who, btw has an impressive track record but right now he really doesn't know if anything will take. He said he presently he has five manuscripts just sitting with publishers where as before, there would be a bidding war.
Self-publication and eBooks is the way to go; and you can use whatever name you want. Here's a link to a fascinating article on the changes in publishing.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1...
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| 5330. |
Billson
New York, New York
Age: 41
Jan 31, 2009
|
Wendy #5298
Can't you keep your old number and just use it as a message service? Some carriers must allow you to send voice messages to email like www.k7.net does. Then as long as you can access your email anonymously, you can access your voice messages anonymously. On a related note, does anyone know if it is possible for someone to locate the computer you are checking your email from just from knowing your email address?
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| 5327. |
Ray
Chicago, IL
Age: 42
Jan 30, 2009
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Mike 5323
I have successfully used a simon giftcard to set up the account you describe.
The key is to make sure the information used to register the card matches the information used to register at the other website...
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| 5326. |
Hamih
Salem, Oregon, USA
Age: 65
Jan 30, 2009
|
#5323, Simons Card
Mike, I don't know of a reloadable CREDIT card. There are, however, a number of Visa or MasterCard branded reloadable DEBIT cards. (See link below for the one that I use.)
You can buy them at grocery stores, etc., with an intial load on them. But to reload them, you do end up providing your SSN to a bank in order to set up an account and get a card with your name on it. Befor doing so, set up a ghost address (such as the Alaska address that Rosie offers elsewhere on this site). In my case, I also set up a cellphone account with a 907 (Alaska) area code using that ghost address as the billing address.
If you are NOT a resident of the USA, you can set up a Netspend debit card without using an American SSN.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.netspend.com/...
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| 5325. |
Daniel
Minneapolis, MN
Age: 36
Jan 30, 2009
|
RE: Ray #5321
I have never heard of that email service but I did like the "five levels of discretion" page (simliar somewhat to Mr. Luna three levels of privacy).
Submitted Link #1: http://www.novo-ordo.com/discretion.php...
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| 5324. |
Marc
Burlingame, CA
Age: 44
Jan 30, 2009
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Re: #5321 - Secure / anonymous email
The service you are asking about may be legitimate, however, there is Javascript code embedded in their website that tracks the coming, going and browsing of visitors. Not what I would want to see from a provider claiming to protect my privacy.
Although this code is very common for websites (it's used to create statistics for the site owner) and often automatically added by hosting services, the script itself directs your browser to connect to www.google-analytics.com, which means they can see and collect your IP address and which sites you visited. Possibly a lot more.
If you use Firefox I would highly recommend using the NoScript plugin, as it can selectively block any Javascript that you don't want running in your browser as well as clearly show what sites the various scripts are accessing.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.google.com/urchin/index.html...
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| 5323. |
mike
Toronto, ON
Age: 48
Jan 30, 2009
|
simons card
I bought a simons card trying to activate a paypal account. I failed. I figure it ia because Simons card is not reloadable. Anyone knows about a reloadable credit card please ?
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| 5322. |
Dorothy
Topeka, KS
Age: 40
Jan 29, 2009
|
How
This man managed to stay invisible (under a fake identity) for just shy of 20 years. He was tripped up by a vehicle light that wasn't working properly. He brought grief to his new family because he wasn't honest with them about his previous life. He brought grief to his old family because he never said goodbye. Interestingly, the article points out the anguish the lifeguard likely felt as well, thinking for 20 years that he may have failed in his duties when he actually did not. I find it interesting that the "invisible man" apparently did many things "right" in order to disappear yet did them for the wrong reasons and was found out through happenstance rather than faulty processes.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/01/29/faked.death.ar...
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| 5321. |
Ray
Chicago, IL
Age: 42
Jan 29, 2009
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secure/anonymous email
Is anyone familiar with this service?
Submitted Link #1: http://www.novo-ordo.com/...
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| 5320. |
Hamish
Salem, Oregon, USA
Age: 65
Jan 29, 2009
|
RE: #5316, Ixquick
Well, Jack, one reason that I doubt that the Ixquick service is a sting is that it bears the European Privacy Seal from Europrise. This involved both technical and legal reviews by European experts. (See the link below for a list of products that currently have this seal -- there aren't very many!) This review process certifies, among other things, that it complies with the European privacy laws, which are rather stricter than the privacy laws in the USA.
Submitted Link #1: https://www.european-privacy-seal.eu/awarded-seals...
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| 5317. |
Gene
Riverside, California
Age: 53
Jan 28, 2009
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Pen name as author
How can I protect my identity using a pen name for a book?
Can I use a DBA filing using a name say like Toby Wolf without having to expose who I really am?
...
Unless you already have a major literary agent, the possibility of actually getting a check from a publisher is remote. In fact, even if you get an agent, he may not be able to sell your book. This is not pessimism, it is just reality. ... But in any event, when you write to an agent, do not reveal that you are using a pen name because if you do, you will be asked for your real name. ... If, however, lightning strikes and it appears you may actually get a check in the future, things will get more complicated. The least-worse solution will be to form an LLC and then get a nominee—hopefully a family member—who will sign a contract on behalf of the LLC and who will insist that the agent send the check in his or her name. The agent will then require the address and SSN of the nominee.
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| 5316. |
Hamish
Salem, Oregon, USA
Age: 65 (or so)
Jan 28, 2009
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Privacy-Friendly Search Engine Ixquick.com Completely Stops Recording IP Addresses
I found an article about this at [www (dot) PogoWasRight (dot) org]. The ixQuick search engine seems to be a privacy-friendly search engine, with servers in The Netherlands and in California, USA.
I have chosen to use this as my default search engine, and I recommend that others consider doing likewise.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.ixquick.com/...
...
I hope Ixquick.com is not a sting operation ...
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| 5315. |
Bruce
Pittsburgh
Age: 30
Jan 28, 2009
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Medical Privacy
The economic stimulus bill has a rider that puts all medical records into a privacy robbing database.
Submitted Link #1: http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.printab...
...
What Obama wants may not be what Obama gets, but if that ever does happen, a visit to a doctor in Canada or Mexico might sometimes be possible.
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| 5314. |
Dave
Keller,TX
Age: 52
Jan 28, 2009
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Utilities
(1) If real estate is put in the name of a trust, can the utilites also be put in the name of the trust?
(2) How would a trust be less private than an LLC?
...
(1) Yes, if the utility companies will allow it, but they still often want your name and SSN.
(2) It's not.
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| 5313. |
Wendy
Richardson,TX
Age: 45
Jan 27, 2009
|
Monster.com Hacked
Here's and article about another data breach that should make readers question how much info about themselves they post to these sites.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?com...
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