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From: minar@reed.bitnet (Nelson Minar,L08,x640,7776519)
Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk
Subject: Re: Multiple identities
Message-ID: <15994@reed.UUCP>
Date: 1 Feb 91 04:48:40 GMT
References: <1991Jan30.040343.8882@pa.dec.com> <1991Jan31.030411.1370@lavaca.uh.edu>
Sender: news@reed.UUCP
Organization: Reed College
Lines: 26

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.