written by Luna, J.J.
(1) Stop receiving mail at home
If you truly want to avoid marketers, scammers, stalkers and other uninvited guests, never allow your name to be connected with where you live. Rent a private mailbox with a commercial mail-receiving agency. A "ghost" address is better: Pick up your mail and courier packages at a local office or at your accountant's or a friend's home. For license renewals or anything else that shows up in a public-records search, create a limited liability company (see No. 4) and buy a forwarding address from a service in Alaska.
(2) Change your phone number
Even better, cancel your land line and use a prepaid cell phone. If you need a land line for an Internet connection, at least cancel your present phone. Two weeks later have a legal proxy or nominee (established with a simple form) order a new unlisted number.
(3) Never use your license as ID
If you don't have a passport, order one. Passports don't list Social Security numbers or addresses.
(4) Take your name off all titles
Establish a New Mexico limited liability company. LLC ownership is anonymous in that state, and no annual reports are required. Use your LLC when you purchase vehicles, boats, real estate or whatever. Unlike corporations, single-member LLCs do not usually require a tax ID and are not named on your returns. (Income, if any, is listed as personal income on Schedule C.)
(5) Buy a cross-cut shredder
You wouldn't believe what people can learn from your trash.
Luna is the author of the newly revised How to Be Invisible: The Essential Guide to Protecting Your Personal Privacy, Your Assets and Your Life.
