Are you concerned about you and your family's safety?

[Ryan700]

To email marketers and autoresponder users,

Most of you are putting your addresses in your autoresponder messages. I know that you have to by law but Google Street View makes it easy for your subscribers to know what your home looks like and easily find out where you live. Have you had any trouble with your privacy because of this? I also notice that some have even put their phone numbers in their emails.
I have yet to see a post office box rental company show up when doing Street View for an address I got in an email so I guess people don't want to hurt their credibility.

[stevetp]

I've never had an issue and have had both work premises and home address in the AR's.

I don't think most people on your list would have an issue as long as they have the option to be removed upon request.

[Emersion]

That worries me too. I used my home address for a long time and never had a problem. But at the same time, you never know who is subscribing to your list. I would hope that it would never be a safety issue but i now use PO Box as it makes me feel more comfortable.

[Marhelper]

No. It does not even enter my mind but maybe it should.

[stevetp]

PO Box sounds like a fantastic idea for anyone who is worried about this and doesn't have a business address to use other than their home address.

[Ross Vegas]

Yeah, totally weirded me out one day, someone from my list was like oh by the way you have a nice neighborhood. I saw it on google earth....

I setup a PO box at my local post office and changed all my list settings that day.

[Hanz]

I just use Mike Tyson's address. Whoever wants to find me can do so. J/K

[mywebwork]

I use my business address - I believe in keeping my work and personal affairs separate.

I also think it lends credibility with anyone else who lives in Honolulu or who is familiar with the area, as my business address is in the downtown core and not in a residential area.

Bill

[R Hagel]

There have been some scary moments for online marketers. For example, I think Lynn Terry had someone show up at her door.

Then again, there are nuts everywhere. You might meet them at offline seminars. They might stalk you online. You might be dating one right now.

If you want full privacy, you're probably going to have to "go off the grid" so to speak. That's because if someone really wants to find you, you've probably already left plenty of clues.

For example -- have you registered all your domains under the "domains by proxy" or other private registrations?

If someone enters your email address online, are they going to run into an ad you placed on CraigsList to sell a couch? And if they follow the phone number you left in that ad, will they uncover your address? Or if they email you about that couch... are you going to tell them your address so they can come and buy it?

Do you have a psycho ex dropping your private info online?

Have you ever dropped your private info on Facebook or something? Even if you've protected your FB "Wall" from people who're not your friends... do you really, truly know all your "friends" on FB or other social media sites?

Do you use your real name? If so, and if you're not using other security/privacy measures, then someone can find you using a simple search.

Are you one of those who take pics of your car and post 'em on your web page? Do you blur the license number? Folks can probably track your license plate number and find out where you life.

Ever met up with another marketer or group of marketers in your area? Maybe for a local "meet up" or mastermind? How many of them were stalkers and other nuts -- would you even know if one followed you home?

Do you give a phone number to prospects and customers? If so, is it fairly untraceable -- like a Tracfone you paid with cash?

Have you ever sat on a committee or board where they listed your name and phone number... online? Maybe you volunteered for something -- maybe it was just for your child's school. Or maybe you're currently going to college, and your college has a "phonebook" that anyone can search. If someone did a search for your name online, would they run into these types of lists?

Do you have publicly searchable documents online? Like maybe you incorporated your business, and those forms included your contact info. Or maybe your contact info is listed in some court documents (child custody, got sued, etc).

And so on.


***

Point is, any sense of privacy or security you get just from using a P.O. box on a newsletter list is just an illusion... unless you've also taken serious measures to make yourself "invisible" and anonymous online and off.

Cheers,
Becky

[Ross Vegas]

Originally Posted by R Hagel

Point is, any sense of privacy or security you get just from using a P.O. box on a newsletter list is just an illusion... unless you've also taken serious measures to make yourself "invisible" and anonymous online and off.

Illusion or not, it still serves a valid purpose.

The point is to at least deter the casual stalker so when you do come across one, you know they are seriously committed to the job, and should be viewed with much more concern.

It's like qualifying your stalker list.

[claytons]

"It's like qualifying your stalker list. "

That gets my vote for the funniest thing I've read on here in a long time!

Thanks for that..made me laugh!

[R Hagel]

I agree, Ross. I wasn't saying that folks shouldn't change to P.O. boxes. I was just pointing out that some folks think they're "safe" because they change that address... but then their info is scattered elsewhere all over the 'Net.

Cheers,
Becky

[Sarah Russell]

I guess I feel the same way about this issue as I feel about identity theft - if someone is that serious about stalking me or stealing personal information, chances are they're going to find a way to do it, regardless of what I do. Other people are way more savvy about that kind of information-hacking than I'll ever be. For me, it's just a consequence of doing business and having an online identity.

[money2k]

I have been online for years and I have had no problem with having my address listed. I have had both home and work addresses listed and have not once had a problem. Depending on how you feel it could be different, but I do not fear for my familys safety at all.

[Troy_Phillips]

Protected by Smith and Wesson..... need I say more :-)

[R Hagel]

Originally Posted by Troy_Phillips

Protected by Smith and Wesson..... need I say more :-)

I've heard that attack hamsters can be just as deadly and just as effective. Ask Kevin.

[Brad Gosse]

I have always used a post office box as my address. Because I got my start in the adult business I wanted to ensure my staff's safety. Even when we had a dedicated office building we continue to use the P.O. Box address.

If you work from home this is a must.

[Troy_Phillips]

Originally Posted by R Hagel

I've heard that attack hamsters can be just as deadly and just as effective. Ask Kevin.

The Smith and Wesson is a lot easier to keep in a holster .

Kevin keeps sticking his head out .

[Dennis Gaskill]

I've had people call me out of the blue. One guy called who was obviously drunk as a skunk. Luckily he only wanted to let me know he liked a product of mine and wanted to know what else he should buy!

Most people run in fear for their life when they see my killer dog. Or maybe it's my smiling mug.

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by Troy_Phillips

Protected by Smith and Wesson..... need I say more :-)

I'm protected by living in the arse-hole of nowhere. Even I get lost trying to find my house.

[Hanz]

Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill

I've had people call me out of the blue. One guy called who was obviously drunk as a skunk. Luckily he only wanted to let me know he liked a product of mine and wanted to know what else he should buy!

A loyal and happy customer! What more can one ask for?

[R Hagel]

Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill

Most people run in fear for their life when they see my killer dog.

I bet my dog can rip someone's socks to shreds faster than yours can.

[Dennis Gaskill]

Originally Posted by Troy_Phillips

Protected by Smith and Wesson..... need I say more :-)

I forget where I read this, but ya know how some people put a "Protected by Smith and Wesson" sticker on the storm door of their home to intimidate people? I don't know if this is true, but I read that sticker just tells criminals which house to target for a burglary when you're not home.

Advertising some types of information may not be the best thing to do.

[Troy_Phillips]

Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill

I forget where I read this, but ya know how some people put a "Protected by Smith and Wesson" sticker on the storm door of their home to intimidate people? I don't know if this is true, but I read that sticker just tells criminals which house to target for a burglary when you're not home.

Advertising some types of information may not be the best thing to do.

Not if Smith and Wesson is 135lbs of American Pit .

[Troy_Phillips]

Originally Posted by Thomas

I'm protected by living in the arse-hole of nowhere. Even I get lost trying to find my house.

I live so far back in the sticks ... I get yesterday's sunshine

[Mark Hess]

For those using Aweber and wish to change your address:



Hover your mouse over "my lists" and click "global fields".

The first box is your address...

[GSX Enterprises]

I almost never give out my personal email however. I have my throwaway business emails which serves as a bit more "protection"

Either way though, I'm a firm believer that if someone really wants to target you, they will. No matter what you sign up for or don't, you're a target. Just gotta know ways to protect yourself if it happens, oh, and always keep an eye on your credit report for "errors"

-Safe Travels

[MichaelHiles]

Originally Posted by Troy_Phillips

Not if Smith and Wesson is 135lbs of American Pit .

Exactly. Only I go straight for 7.63x39 and my wife's favorite gun is her M-16 A1 switched to Rock & Roll.

You don't roll into the valley without being seen first.

[Troy_Phillips]

Originally Posted by MichaelHiles

Exactly. Only I go straight for 7.63x39 and my wife's favorite gun is her M-16 A1 switched to Rock & Roll.

You don't roll into the valley without being seen first.

7.63x39

Mines a Mini Rugger

wife's favorite gun is her M-16 A1 switched to Rock & Roll.

Yes Mam

[Dennis Gaskill]

Originally Posted by Troy_Phillips

I live so far back in the sticks ... I get yesterday's sunshine

Aw man, you had to say that didn't you? I've been trying to talk my wife into moving to deep country for years. I'm so jealous.

[Lance K]

I wonder how many brick & mortar businesses think about this.

[trevor75]

I was a little worried about at first, but you now what, you could easily get killed just going to the 7-11. You can't go through life afraid some will stalk you. Besides they could easily unsubscribe if they aren't interested in your emails anymore.

[Dennis Gaskill]

Originally Posted by Lance K

I wonder how many brick & mortar businesses think about this.

Interesting question. I'd guess not as high a percentage as there are in the IM field who worry about it. I can think of several reasons for it, but the main one is this:

People in a brick and mortar business have already decided the rewards of business ownership outweigh the risk of armed robbery, so they probably aren't too worried about their home address since the most likely place for a confrontation is at their place of business.

[Black Hat Cat]

I'd be more concerned about my family getting snatched at the mall, or car jacked at a stoplight than I would be about a customer 500 miles away. The 1,000 or so people you see/pass everyday are the ones you have to worry about.

[Hanz]

I don't see any reason to fear anything. As long as you're not throwing out junk and taking off with peoples' money, you should be safe.
Anyway, I just had somebody try to steal a product of mine and now his address and email have been captured. These are the types of people who really should be careful!

[davidjames42973]

Several years ago I use to run a newsletter promoting unsigned Metal artists and use to get some bizarre phone calls. One guy claimed that he worked for a big name magazine and he use to call me at 7am on weekends to ask me questions. One time while I was talking to him, he told me to hold on for a minute. After about 10 seconds of being told to wait, I began hearing my voice coming from his room. The dude was recording my conversations with him!

I told him we needed to hang out and have some beers and asked for his home address and phone number. I got all of his information in case if things began to get weirder with this guy...

[Paleochora]

I do not have a house number or even a street in my address. Just the town. Thats because I live in the middle of nowhere. The Google Earth photo is at least 8 years out of date and Google Street? Forget it. lol

People could find me I guess, but they would have to ask around a lot so I would know they were coming.

[PCRoger]

Your not on any of my lists! You would see a P.O. Box in a different city.

An investment newsletter guy I follow just had a reader show up at his door! Nice guy, though, no gunfire (the guys investment advice has been pretty good this past year).

Interesting thing is, though, the investment guru lives in a gated community!

PCRoger.

[CDarklock]

Originally Posted by Ryan700

Have you had any trouble with your privacy because of this?

No. Privacy is a polite fiction, anyway. We don't really have any, it's just a general consensus that we're all going to pretend we do. Over time, with all the tools available to violate that fiction, we're just going to stop pretending.

The sooner you get used to it, the better. The only real effect is going to be that when you lie about your life, people will not pretend to believe you anymore. So the practical translation of "get used to it" is "tell the truth."

[CDarklock]

Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill

I don't know if this is true, but I read that sticker just tells criminals which house to target for a burglary when you're not home.

The best burglar deterrent on the planet is the POW/MIA flag, because it means you probably own a lot of guns and are almost certainly crazy. Hang the American flag on one side of the door, and the POW/MIA flag on the other... burglars just look at your house and go "yeah, I don't think so."

Doesn't matter whether you're home or not, either, because these are the kind of people who set traps...

[Dennis Gaskill]

Originally Posted by Black Hat Cat

I'd be more concerned about my family getting snatched at the mall, or car jacked at a stoplight than I would be about a customer 500 miles away. The 1,000 or so people you see/pass everyday are the ones you have to worry about.

Distance can give you false sense of security. I remember a case on the Forensic Files some time ago where a 16-year old kid was selling CB radios over the Internet. Long story short, an unhappy customer mailed the kid a pipe bomb and killed him, and crippled his mother.

There's not really a happy ending to a story like this, but the police did piece together the clues and evidence and caught the guy and he was convicted. He won't have to worry about CB radios ever again.

[Scott Ames]

One of the biggest marketers out there for IM just released a video with a Google earth zoom in of his home. I thought it was cool to let me in his world but was thinking that some will take that as an open invitation to just show up one day.

[Vikuna2009+]

What about a P.O. Box linkwheel if you are seriously concerned? I have personally been stalked, had to close shop, move, cancel all my friends, stop going to any business that I was going to, had 11 windows broken, did have a pitbull visit (thank god I was not home) and so forth (it got even worse).

Even the most sincere person can turn out to be a maniac. 15 years later, I am still concerned (he is East coast Italian and run off from testifying), talk about bad. Initially, did I know? No.

Once you been there, you know what I am talking about.

[TelegramSam]

If you work from home, give your house a name such as:

Maple House
5673 Garden Lane
Cleveland
46723

or whatever. Make it sound like an office block or something.

Then people have less idea that you are working from home.

Another thing I recommend is having a separate business personal name you give out. Then when people ring in you know it is a business issue.

Also, don't go around posting loads of personal stuff all over the place.

The final deterrent will also make sure that if someone unsavoury does come and hassle you then they will be permanently persuaded not to do it again.

There are probably more idiots and nutters that already live less than a mile from you now, than will ever stalk you via your business.

Sam

[cmaq]

The risk is quite low, but worry, perhaps a good idea, it's not expensive to invest in a PO Box, I would suggest it. You can't put a price on safety.

[Rod Cortez]

I use a P.O. Box, so no worries there.

[Dennis Gaskill]

Originally Posted by TelegramSam

If you work from home, give your house a name such as:

Maple House
5673 Garden Lane
Cleveland
46723

or whatever. Make it sound like an office block or something.

Then people have less idea that you are working from home.

Haha, that reminds me of something...years ago my wife was really paranoid about having any information online, so I used a PO Box. One of my sites is BoogieJack.com, so I had a mailing address of:

Boogie Jack
1 Boogie Jack Road
PO Box 142
Plover, WI 54467

There is no Boogie Jack Road. The post office always delivers to the PO Box if it's included in the address. I had couple dozen people ask me over the years how I managed to get a road named after me.

[SurviveUnemployment]

First they'd have to get in the building. Then they'd have to figure out which apartment it was (There are 24 in this building, not marked obviously on the doors.) If they managed to get through the reinforced door, if the cops weren't already here, they'd have deal with my cat (seriously -- he's big, young, tough, territorial and semi-feral. Even my friends wouldn't f with him.). By the time they got to me, I'd be more than ready for them.

No, I'm not worried about that. Even so, I would never broadcast my home address to a bunch of strangers. What are you, nuts?

[Daniel Brock]

Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill

Distance can give you false sense of security. I remember a case on the Forensic Files some time ago where a 16-year old kid was selling CB radios over the Internet. Long story short, an unhappy customer mailed the kid a pipe bomb and killed him, and crippled his mother.

There's not really a happy ending to a story like this, but the police did piece together the clues and evidence and caught the guy and he was convicted. He won't have to worry about CB radios ever again.

I watch that show too.

That's a pretty sad story.

Did they catch the bastard?

Makes me not want to do business online.

[Daniel Brock]

Originally Posted by Troy_Phillips

The Smith and Wesson is a lot easier to keep in a holster .

Kevin keeps sticking his head out .

Scenario:

Crazy dude cases your house for 2 weeks and studies your habits to find out when you are watching TV in your living room.

Crazy dude enlists 2 other crazy guys. All three have guns.

Crazy dudes rush your front door, bust it down and rush you.

Even if you have your gun in a holster all day long, it wouldn't take much to get the jump on someone with 3 people and 2 weeks worth of stalking.

Hell they could wait for you to go take a shower.