[comp.org.eff.talk] Multiple identities

mayo@wrl.dec.com (Bob Mayo) (01/30/91)

Pardon me if this has been discussed before -- I just stumbled onto this
group.

In order to enforce a degree of privacy in consumer transactions (such as
credit card purchases, magazine subscriptions, and the like), I'd like to
establish a separate identity.  The main purpose of this would be to thwart
the production of a lifestyle profile based upon my consumer purchases.
Two general areas of questions come up:

Mechanics:  How hard is it to set this up?  My separate identity, Joe
Anonymous, couldn't get a credit card without lying, but he might be
able to get a debit VISA card backed by a cash deposit.  By
registering Joe Anonymous as a business with the county (a $30 or less
proposition), Joe could get his own bank account for checks and ATM
cards.  Sure, the correlation between Joe Anonymous and myself would be
in the public record, but I doubt anybody would bother to check unless Joe
started doing something illegal or annoying.

Legality:  Are there any laws that make establishing a separate identity
illegal?  Of course Joe would have to steer clear of any sort of lying on
credit applications and such.  But if I tell Safeway or Radio Shack that
my name is Joe Anonymous, can I run into any problems?  What happens if
Joe signs legal contracts like car rental agreements?  What if Joe purchases
a plane ticket and then needs a refund.  The only ID would be a document
showing that Joe Anonymous was a business.  Hmmm...

--Bob (my real name)

jet@karazm.math.uh.edu ("J. Eric Townsend") (01/31/91)

In article <1991Jan30.040343.8882@pa.dec.com> mayo@wrl.dec.com (Bob Mayo) writes:
>Mechanics:  How hard is it to set this up?  My separate identity, Joe

The fact that the "establishment" requires a SSN for virtually everything
makes it more difficult these days.  I dunno what happens if you come
up with a SSN that won't be used for some time.

Go to your local post office and get a PO Box.  Better yet, get a box
at one of those "postal drop" places.  Start using name "x", but pay
for things with money orders.  You'd be amazed at the things you 
can get from people in any ol' name.

This *used* to be popular, dunno how good it still is:  find a courthouse
that burned (happens once or twice a year these days, was more common in the
40s - 60s).  Write then for a copy of your birth certificate (varies from
state to state on what you need to do this), using the postal drop address.
If you've got a certificate, you're on your way.

Check out various Lampoonics books, but take them with a grain of salt.

>Legality:  Are there any laws that make establishing a separate identity
>illegal?

Godwin will know this better than I for nat'l stuff, but Louisiana
allowed you to call yourself just about anything as long as you weren't
attempting to defraud anybody else, or break any laws (like evading
your taxes).

--
J. Eric Townsend - jet@uh.edu - bitnet: jet@UHOU - vox: (713) 749-2120
"It is the cunning of form to veil itself continually in the evidence
of content.  It is the cunning of the code to veil itself and to produce
itself in the obviousness of value." -- Baudrillard

campbell@redsox.bsw.com (Larry Campbell) (01/31/91)

In Massachusetts, anyway, I know that you can use any name you want (God,
Saddam Hussein, Malcolm X) as long as there is *no intent to defraud*.

In other words, as long as Joe Anonymous pays his bills, it's all legal.
-- 
Larry Campbell             The Boston Software Works, Inc., 120 Fulton Street
campbell@redsox.bsw.com    Boston, Massachusetts 02109 (USA)
--
A gentleman never hurts anyone's feelings accidentally.  -Oscar Wilde

johne@hp-vcd.HP.COM (John Eaton) (02/01/91)

<<<<
< Mechanics:  How hard is it to set this up?  
----------
Its real easy to start giving out phoney names, you
want to use several or else the marketing networks
will simply profile your alias and target that. 
The key is to flood them with random noise.

Setting up a financial account with an alias is 
venturing into a dangerous area with perhaps
no reason. I doubt if they would even notice
that the check you sent has a different name
than the person they billed.  I know you can
get checks printed without your address and
phone number preprinted so one solution
would be to get a set that also left off
your name. They should work as well as the
starter check set you get when you open an
account.


John Eaton
!hp-vcd!johne

minar@reed.bitnet (Nelson Minar,L08,x640,7776519) (02/01/91)

In article <1991Jan31.030411.1370@lavaca.uh.edu> jet@karazm.math.uh.edu ("J. Eric Townsend") writes:
(hi eric, remember me? John O. introduced me to you once.. :) )
>In article <1991Jan30.040343.8882@pa.dec.com> mayo@wrl.dec.com (Bob Mayo) writes:
>>Mechanics:  How hard is it to set this up?  My separate identity, Joe

>The fact that the "establishment" requires a SSN for virtually everything
>makes it more difficult these days.  I dunno what happens if you come
>up with a SSN that won't be used for some time.

Legally, very few institutions (the IRS, Social Security, and Selective Service
are the ones I know of) can demand an SSN.  Banks might be able to require
an SSN claiming IRS reasons.  But in general, if someone asks for an SSN you
can refuse and they will have to find an alternative.  Its up to you to decide
if its worth the trouble..

>This *used* to be popular, dunno how good it still is:  find a courthouse
>that burned (happens once or twice a year these days, was more common in the
>40s - 60s).

This is similar to the "find someone who died at birth and get their birth
certificate then get a drivers license in another state" scam.  It doesn't
work very well now - too many computer records. Its worth a shot.

>Check out various Lampoonics books, but take them with a grain of salt.

The one titled "Privacy" is interesting reading.

dwp@willett.pgh.pa.us (Doug Philips) (02/06/91)

> Mechanics:  How hard is it to set this up?  My separate identity, Joe
> Anonymous, couldn't get a credit card without lying, but he might be
> able to get a debit VISA card backed by a cash deposit.  By
> registering Joe Anonymous as a business with the county (a $30 or less
> proposition), Joe could get his own bank account for checks and ATM
> cards.  Sure, the correlation between Joe Anonymous and myself would be
> in the public record, but I doubt anybody would bother to check unless Joe
> started doing something illegal or annoying.
> 
> Legality:  Are there any laws that make establishing a separate identity
> illegal?  Of course Joe would have to steer clear of any sort of lying on
> credit applications and such.  But if I tell Safeway or Radio Shack that
> my name is Joe Anonymous, can I run into any problems?  What happens if
> Joe signs legal contracts like car rental agreements?  What if Joe purchases
> a plane ticket and then needs a refund.  The only ID would be a document
> showing that Joe Anonymous was a business.  Hmmm...

As you have already heard, some places allow you to use any name you want so
long as you aren't attempting criminal activity.  This doesn't prevent people
from taking advantage of the ignorance of this (in particular the scams
that charge a modest fee for having your maiden name changed when you get
married, etc.).  

What I want to know is where to go to find out if State <X> has some particular
laws regarding this.  Setting up Business checking accounts, etc. is a more
expensive prospect that should be avoided when possible.  BTW:  I have never
needed more than a receipt in order to get a refund.  One might imagine that
you could tell the clerk (call ahead if you're worried) that you are there
on that person's behalf.  Of course, one is often "required" to show ID if
purchasing via check or credit card.  Cash/C.O.D./Money orders are ways around
that.  I'm sure there are others.  I know these subjects are annual/semi-
annual/weekly topics of discussion on the net.  Does anyone know where, if
anyplace, such things are archived?  Is there a regular posted message in
some group(s) or other?

Thanks in advance,
Doug
---
Preferred:  dwp@willett.pgh.pa.us	Ok:  {pitt,sei,uunet}!willett!dwp