Don Ray's 104 Privacy Tips

1. Don't sue anyone

2. Remote voice mail

3. Consider not voting

4. Don't enter contests

5. Get married overseas

6. Private post office box

7. Postal Service P.O. box

8. Don't get a radio license

9. Don't get parking tickets

10. Don't file for bankruptcy

11. Get a confidential marriage

12. Get on "No junk mail" lists

13. Don't return warranty cards

14. Don't have a messy divorce

15. No more personalized plates

16. Don't run for political office

17. Non-published phone number

18. Don't write letters to the editor

19. Don't end up in U.S. Tax Court

20. Use a door slot or locking mail box

21. Don't forget to return library books

22. Sign up now for Caller ID Blocking

23. Check your credit report once a year

24. Don't use "preferred customer" cards

25. Go to traffic school if you get a ticket

26. Get on "No soliciting phone calls" list

27. Don't go to court to change your name

28. No phone number on voter registration

29. Don't complete customer survey forms

30. Don't contribute to political campaigns

31. Have parents' assets put in living trusts

32. Don't get a concealed weapon's permit

33. At college, have your address restricted

34. Don't broadcast your CB radio call sign

35. Don't fill out a forwarding address form

36. Tear up the carbons on your charge records

37. Don't own an airplane or boat in your name

38. Use an out of state corporate filing company

39. Don't get behind on your mortgage payment

40. Have assessor's tax bill sent to someone else

41. Don't dial 800 numbers from a secure phone

42. Don't use your ATM card to purchase anything

43. Don't pay someone to be in a Who's Who book

44. Don't get into disputes with landlords or tenants

45. Have pet licenses registered in your kids' names

46. Don't do something so stupid that you'd get sued

47. Don't show up the day they shoot school pictures

48. Remember that building permits are public record

49. Don't register your pattern at the department store

50. Don't put identifying symbols/stickers on your car

51. Put out your trash in front of someone else's house

52. Request to be omitted from reverse/city directories

53. Don't drop business cards in the "Free Lunch" bowl

54. Have documents notarized in another state or county

55. Use P.O. box for driver's license and car registration

56. Give all your things away to your kids before you die

57. Be creative with your occupation on voter registration

58. Don't put "Student of the Month" stickers on your car

59. Don't hire young baby sitters who live near your house

60. Print post office street address on checks w/box number

61. Don't put your Ham radio call sign on your license plates

62. Consider not printing an obituary on deceased loved ones

63. The most private form of business is a limited partnership

64. Have a password put on your phone/utility/credit accounts

65. Don't use personal property as collateral to borrow money

66. Instruct magazines/organizations to not share your address

67. Don't incorporate in California (or your state of residence)

68. Obliterate your name that's been written on your gas meter

69. Don't have garage sales at your house if a permit is required

70. Don't give out credit card numbers over the phone or modem

71. Don't apply for citizenship in the area where you want to live

72. Use money orders and your P.O. box when you use mail order

73. Don't say anything on a cellular/cordless phone that's sensitive

74. Don't say your phone credit card aloud when others are around

75. Don't ignore the calls of bill collectors or government agencies

76. Instruct family members on limiting information they volunteer

77. Don't place classified ads displaying your secure phone number

78. If you kill yourself, address your suicide note to someone specific

79. Don't sign guest registers at museums, national parks, caverns, etc.

80. Don't give out your Social Security number without protesting first

81. Settle or win all lawsuits quickly to eliminate outstanding judgments

82. Remember how easy it is for people to listen in on baby monitor radios

83. Imagine everything you type as e-mail being put on highway billboards

84. Put your real estate into a family trust-but one not named after your family

85. Don't get behind on alimony/child support payments and then leave the state

86. If you must give the bank your mother's maiden name, give some other name

87. Don't file fictitious name statements-use your real name (Don Ray Plumbing)

88. Read every contract or application and look for waivers of your right to privacy

89. Use just your zip code and P.O. Box number for return address (Box 91503-4375)

90. Don't announce your phone number on your outgoing answering machine message

91. Don't rent videos from stores that require personal information-use cash deposits

92. Don't put your name on the outside of your apartment mail box-put it on the inside

93. Use short version of your name when you can (Bill Jenkins-not Wm. J. Jenkins, Jr.)

94. Use a notary public who personally knows you and doesn't need your driver's license

95. Don't let sales clerks write down your drivers license number on credit card purchases

96. Get a copy of everything The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse puts out (1-619-298-3396)

97. Don't write checks at Radio Shack or other stores that computerize your address and phone

98. Don't permanently stick company, school or apartment complex parking stickers on you car

99. If you plan on moving into another house you're buying, have a straw party buy and hold it for you

100. Don't be a best man or maiden of honor. If you do, scribble your address on the marriage certificate

101. Don't bank where they allow phone-in computer access using Social Security numbers as passwords

102. Make sure you have a current copy of Don Ray's A Public Records Primer and Investigator's Handbook

103. Have your main phone line installed in a nearby friend's home and use call forwarding to your secret number

104. Get a copy of Don Ray's Checking Out Lawyers to learn more about public records.

Copyright © 1998-2006. Privacy Rights Clearinghouse/UCAN and Don Ray. This copyrighted document may be copied and distributed for nonprofit, educational purposes only. For distribution, see our copyright and reprint guidelines. The text of this document may not be altered without express authorization of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. This document should be used as an information source and not as legal advice. PRC documents contain information about federal laws as well as some California-specific information. Laws in other states may vary. Overall, our information is applicable to consumers nationwide.