The thumbprint required on applications for drivers licences in many
states (like California) does *not* go to the FBI. It is kept with
the applications "on file", and its main purpose seems to be that of
psychological deterrence. The states make no efforts to classify the
thumbprints, and the FBI is not interested in helping. Applicants who
wnat to make sure their thumbprints are absolutely worthless will
press extra hard and make a slight twisting movement with their thumb as
it is being printed. The result is a perfect smudge--worthless.
NEVER order utility services in your real name. Utility companies
are the first watering hole for skip tracers.
Keep your name out of public records, such as business licences,
permits, tax accounts. Operate under another name or use another person
as a front. It's very easy to file "fictitious firm name statements"
using minimal ID.
Always subscribe to magazines and newspapers under alternate names.
Pay by mail using money orders. Don't have your name on the money order.
Likewise, always order merchandise by mail under an alias. Again,
Pay with money orders without your name on them.
Own real estate under either a cooperative relative's name, or a
fictitious one created especially for the purpose. Names of phoney
businesses work well here, as it is perfectly understandable and justified
for a business to own real property. Since real estate transactions
are almost always at "arms length", it is quite simple to hide behind
your agent or broker. In this area money talks more loudly than you
do, so it's not too difficult to arrange things to suit yourself.
If you have to vote use your "legal" address. Just make sure you don't
live there. So-called "voter ID cards" are a snap to obtain, as no
proof of identity is required. The only "security" for the registration
process is your sworn statement....
Protect the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of your friends.
Use a code of your own making to disguise the actual names and numbers,
or try to memorize what you need to know. You'd be amazed at how much
you can remember in this area if you make the effort.
Try to avoid carrying this coded address book with you. Cops always
flash on such items, and so-called "rings" are usually busted this
way. A smart thing to do would be to carry a dummy book of names and
numbers selected at random from the phone book. Keep your working book
stashed in a safe place.
This practice protects you, too, inasmuch as suspicion is cast on you
should some of your friends be busted and their names appear in your book.
Don't engage in illegal activity on other people's property without
their express consent. Save the dope and skin scenes for places where
no one else can get rousted besides the actual participants.
Don't ask questions which intrude on the privacy of others. Ask
general questions, not specific. One might not want you to know *where*
he works, but wouldn't mind telling you his occupation.
Adopt the attitude that personal information such as your school
background, national origin, interests, politics, family income, etc.,
are NO ONE'S business but your own. And stick to it!! Snooping will
thereby become so difficult that suspicion will be cast on the snooper
rather than on you.
When faced with such an inquisitive person, have prepared a set of standard
answers which you can deliver without discomfort or concern. But if the
person is really obnoxious, give him some out-and-out lies, which, when
"reported" in the right places, will make him look more like the ass he is.
Don't request receipts unless the amount is large. Make them intelligible
only to the parties involved. Remember that cash still has no names on it,
which is why Big Brother can hardly wait for the day of the "cashless"
society.
One CAUTION, however: Most banks have well established policies for
recording serial numbers of large denomination bills whenever they are
deposited or withdrawn in large amounts. ALL transactions of $10,000
or more are reported to the IRS. So play small and remain inconspicuous.
Payment of taxes of all kinds should be largely a matter of personal
convictions. The public debate on "tax protest" is endless, so
only a few generally-observed practices will be mentioned here.
The basic rule, in which even the IRS concurs, is pay only what
you are liable for. This means taking advantage of any and all loopholes
to the fullest with the ultimate aim of paying no tax whatsoever.
Don't forget, however, that most federal prisons have rather distinguished
populations of tax-evading accountants, attorneys, businessmen, and
politicians. If avoiding personal income tax, both state and federal, is
your goal, by all means study well or seek competent advice. Texas and
Nevada still have no state income taxes, in case you're thinking of
relocating to beat some taxes...
Sales and use taxes can often be avoided by buying consumer items
through personal channels such as friends, bazaars, swap meets (some),
classified want ads, bartering, and business exchanges. Out-of-state
mail order purchases are exempt from local taxes, too.
Sharp practices, such as claiming 10 or 12 exemptions to reduce the
weekly bite of withholding, or making a deal with your employer to be
paid in cash (which a great many do willingly) are ways of lessening,
even eliminating your tax, but can't be recommended if you plan on
remaining in the same job for over a year or so, or if you don't wish to
live with a solid alternate identity.
A "compromise" in the above dilemma is to maintain a minimal tax profile,
but plan on earning the bulk of your income through non-recorded
means, say, odd jobs for cash. Lead a "straight" life for the tax vultures,
but live "underground" with another trade and/or name.
In seeking employment you are usually asked for former job references. If
you know that some of them will be negative DON'T LIST THEM!
For the resulting "gaps" in your employment history, have already prepared
the names and addresses of your former "employers". They could be local
or out-of-state, in which case they probably won't be verified except by
mail. Of course you will be prepared for this by listing a mail forwarding
service's address as that of your former "employer". Merely pay the
first month's fee and notify the service of your code name--a company
("employer"). You will then be able to rewrite you own employment history.
Oh Happy Day! Gaps can also be covered by using attendance at school or
travel abroad as alternatives to negative job references.
For local job references, a good trick is to ask, or pay, a businessman's
secretary to give all the goody information right over the telephone.
Provide the phone number on the application, naturally, but remember that
the number may very well be verified first by a call to Information.
When it checks out, your application will appear quite honest, won't it?
Personal references on either employment or credit applications are a
laugh. They are virtually not verified. Provide them, of course,
but feel no compunction whatever in lifting random names and assumed
relationships right from the phone book. A locally known doctor or
minister is a safe bet, too.
For credit references bear in mind that outfits like big department stores
and most credit unions will not give out information to ANYONE on one of
their customer's or member's accounts. This means you can use any number
of these references with impunity when applying for credit as the lender
will not be able to verify one way or the other if your application is
true--a fact he will definitely NOT tell you, however. A complete guide
to establishing credit and obtaining credit cards is our own book,
CREDIT! Very useful, indeed.
Consider using a typewriter for all your correspondence, as it is not
only more impersonal, but also impossible to be "traced" to you. Whereas
handwriting *can* give you away, typewriting cannot. Only the machine
itself can be shown to be the one used for a particular piece of
correspondence. Electric machines are even more impersonal than manual
in that the striking pressure is uniform for all letters. Manual
typewriting can show that you have a weak "a" or a strong "k" or "c",
for example. Be careful, too, of allowing the keys to clog to the point
that the enclosed portions of letters begin to fill in. When the "e"
and the "o" look alike, it's time to get out the gum cleaner. Typewriters
using the newer carbon ribbons do not have this problem.
As an added layer of protection for your correspondence, consider mailing
a Xerox *copy* of the letter. There will be enough distortion in the copy
to make tracing you mighty difficult. Should you begin using a typewriter
regularly, you might plan to trade it in every six months or so for another
model, different typeface, etc. They are rather cheap to rent, so this is
a good possibility, too. Keep 'em guessing....
When going from the "old you" to the "new you", it is usually a good idea
to drop any old hobbies that could provide the basis for an informal
"stakeout" of your possible activities. If it is known that you
can never pass a museum or fishing pier without indulging yourself, you
have an automatic lead to those who might want to go looking for you.
Changing activities can be an excellent way of building your new identity.
Not only will the old ways fade faster, but your new acquaintances will
provide the support and interest in creating the new identity more rapidly
and completely.
Whenever you rent a new place to live, insist on the right to change
the locks. Refuse to give the landlord the new key, too. Many times
people have arrived home to find a snoopy landlord (lady, too) going
though personal belongings, papers, etc. Items and possessions which
might tend to give someone the wrong ideas about your identity, activities,
interests, etc., should be stored in locked boxes of sturdy construction.
Misleading items can be placed innocently in the open. Be observant of
items being rearranged or moved, too. Until you're secure in your new
location, you might take the precaution of placing hairs on door jambs,
threads across the threshhold, matches on tops of doors. When choosing
locks and keys, select those not readily available in the area.
