Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

Michaell

Would the statuette have looked different had he found it the previous Friday?

venture

When my son was home for a few days we spoke about cars a little. He is just about ready to get something to replace his Land Rover. He has always bought new cars.

One interesting thing he said was that he is seriously considering buying from Carvana because of all the garbage you have to go through when buying from a dealer. He mentioned the negotiation process as well as the silly, senseless, unnecessary forms in the F&I office - among other things.

The nut didn't fall far from the tree.

laurasdada

Just say no.
I don't recall, in relatively recent memory at least, having to spend too much time in F & I. I smile and say no to the mop & glo/scotchgard/extended blinker fluid warranties.
Several times, the Finance dude simply said no for me, he knew I wasn't a buyer.

But, not always... ex-wife's 535xi, she wanted the wheel/tire warranty; I reviewed with my independent tire shop, they said it probably would pay for itself. Last I knew, pre-divorce, one wheel/tire replaced, so perhaps that was a win?

And, mandatory mop/glo (ceramic sealant) with the current X3. Salesdude noted earlier it was earlier simply a Covid $1k ADM, it was his idea to include the ceramic so as not to incense hopefully returning customers. As they were discounting the '22 during Covid, it still seemed a good deal, so we bought the X3 (yeah, like I had a choice. She wanted it and whatever Lola wants...).

Maybe shopping more upscale marques eases the F&I pitch?

venture

laurasdada said:

Just say no.
I don't recall, in relatively recent memory at least, having to spend too much time in F & I. I smile and say no to the mop & glo/scotchgard/extended blinker fluid warranties.
Several times, the Finance dude simply said no for me, he knew I wasn't a buyer.

But, not always... ex-wife's 535xi, she wanted the wheel/tire warranty; I reviewed with my independent tire shop, they said it probably would pay for itself. Last I knew, pre-divorce, one wheel/tire replaced, so perhaps that was a win?

And, mandatory mop/glo (ceramic sealant) with the current X3. Salesdude noted earlier it was earlier simply a Covid $1k ADM, it was his idea to include the ceramic so as not to incense hopefully returning customers. As they were discounting the '22 during Covid, it still seemed a good deal, so we bought the X3 (yeah, like I had a choice. She wanted it and whatever Lola wants...).

Maybe shopping more upscale marques eases the F&I pitch?

You sort of proved his point.

laurasdada

Buying for me? No F & I shenanigans. Buying for the ladies, well, I've deferred to their desires. Chose my battles!

driver100

Does anyone know anything about this?

Some car owners when they renewed their insurance they received shocking premium increases. One fellow facing a 21% jump asked why and was given a report, 130 pages long covering every trip taken in his GM car over the last 6 months. 640 trips were detailed and the data included instances of speeding, hard braking and sharp acceleration. In the fine print (that nobody reads) of a subscription to OnStar and Smart Driver apps, there is language allowing for the sale of the data to insurance companies.

Just wondering if it is true....asking for a friend.

laurasdada

I don't know about OnStar etc... but when my rates went up 20% (while I was still a one-car owner), I called Amica and asked what the heck???
A lovely CSR told me it was completely due to the sins of others, nothing in my record was to blame. She said she went through the same WTH?
I switched, through my agent. New rate/insurer down by almost 40%, slowly creeping back up.

snakeweasel

@driver100 said:
Does anyone know anything about this?

Some car owners when they renewed their insurance they received shocking premium increases. One fellow facing a 21% jump asked why and was given a report, 130 pages long covering every trip taken in his GM car over the last 6 months. 640 trips were detailed and the data included instances of speeding, hard braking and sharp acceleration. In the fine print (that nobody reads) of a subscription to OnStar and Smart Driver apps, there is language allowing for the sale of the data to insurance companies.

Just wondering if it is true....asking for a friend.

Don't know if it's true but it is extremely possible. Your data is being sold by anyone and everyone that knows the slightest bit about you.

explorerx4

GM said they are going to stop selling their customers individual info to insurance companies and others.

kyfdx

There are people out there willingly giving the insurance companies the info, just for a small discount.

Amica: They get great reviews, but they've never been able to come close to my State Farm rates.

snakeweasel

@explorerx4 said:
GM said they are going to stop selling their customers individual info to insurance companies and others.

Yeah but they never said when.

ab348

Apparently VW and Hyundai/Kia do also from reports I heard.

qbrozen

surprisingly, Geico raised ours very very little. Roughly 4%. Paying ~$4550 annually for 5 vehicles across 3 drivers, including an 18-yr-old boy, with high limits across the board and including comprehensive on 4 of the 5 vehicles is a screaming bargain, IMHO.

oldfarmer50

venture said:

When my son was home for a few days we spoke about cars a little. He is just about ready to get something to replace his Land Rover. He has always bought new cars.

One interesting thing he said was that he is seriously considering buying from Carvana because of all the garbage you have to go through when buying from a dealer. He mentioned the negotiation process as well as the silly, senseless, unnecessary forms in the F&I office - among other things.

The nut didn't fall far from the tree.

I haven’t financed since 2015 but as I remember the Ford dealer didn’t even mention extended warranties, mop&glo or any other nonsense. The latest dealer tried to slip in mandatory VIN etching but i said no thanks

I did buy a used car for my son at a Chevy dealer and they unfurled an encyclopedia of add-ons that would have tripled the cost of the car.

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

Does anyone know anything about this?

Some car owners when they renewed their insurance they received shocking premium increases. One fellow facing a 21% jump asked why and was given a report, 130 pages long covering every trip taken in his GM car over the last 6 months. 640 trips were detailed and the data included instances of speeding, hard braking and sharp acceleration. In the fine print (that nobody reads) of a subscription to OnStar and Smart Driver apps, there is language allowing for the sale of the data to insurance companies.

Just wondering if it is true....asking for a friend.

It’s true.

https://youtu.be/aoiYa0G_SpA?si=l3P6LcuEGnhnolap

imidazol97

Wow.
So those times I sped up to 80 to get ahead of trucks in a 70 mph zone to merge to the right lane may be used by State Farm to identify me as a high risk EDIT thanks to General Motors.

jmonroe1

imidazol97 said:

Wow.
So those times I sped up to 80 to get ahead of trucks in a 70 mph zone to merge to the right lane may be used by State Farm to identify me as a high risk?

————————————————
And folks wonder why I’m not set up with anyone to do automatic bill pay every month and more importantly why I don’t do any on-line banking.

I mentioned to a friend that I was thinking about telling my bank not to authorize any cash withdrawals from either my checking or savings account unless I was doing it in person. He told me he didn’t think I could do that but I’ll have to go to my bank to see if that is true.

jmonroe

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

Does anyone know anything about this?

Some car owners when they renewed their insurance they received shocking premium increases. One fellow facing a 21% jump asked why and was given a report, 130 pages long covering every trip taken in his GM car over the last 6 months. 640 trips were detailed and the data included instances of speeding, hard braking and sharp acceleration. In the fine print (that nobody reads) of a subscription to OnStar and Smart Driver apps, there is language allowing for the sale of the data to insurance companies.

Just wondering if it is true....asking for a friend.

It’s true.

@oldfarmer50 Wow! Thanks for the comments about this but the video makes it pretty clear it is true.
A real eye opener. That is why I didn't want the 15% discount from Allstate if I allowed them to track me.
There can be lots of reasons for stopping fast or even speeding.....like on I-75 the limit is 70 but people are all passing you if you go 80.

roadburner

driver100 said:

Does anyone know anything about this?

Some car owners when they renewed their insurance they received shocking premium increases. One fellow facing a 21% jump asked why and was given a report, 130 pages long covering every trip taken in his GM car over the last 6 months. 640 trips were detailed and the data included instances of speeding, hard braking and sharp acceleration. In the fine print (that nobody reads) of a subscription to OnStar and Smart Driver apps, there is language allowing for the sale of the data to insurance companies.

Just wondering if it is true....asking for a friend.

That story was all over the automotive boards.
Three weeks ago...

snakeweasel

@roadburner said:
That story was all over the automotive boards.
Three weeks ago...

Three weeks ago? I thought this board was up to date on all things current. What am I paying these dues for?

tjc78

Wait until you all see what they could pull off of your phone!

The vast majority of drivers would be completely screwed if they used the GPS data off of your phone or car.

Heck Waze, Google Maps and Apple Maps would do most people in. Also EZPass where you tag in/out like on the NJTP … your speed can be calculated

Big brother is everywhere and you can’t hide

roadburner

tjc78 said:

Wait until you all see what they could pull off of your phone!

The vast majority of drivers would be completely screwed if they used the GPS data off of your phone or car.

Heck Waze, Google Maps and Apple Maps would do most people in. Also EZPass where you tag in/out like on the NJTP … your speed can be calculated

Big brother is everywhere and you can’t hide

Several of my murder cases depended on cell phone data to place the defendant at the crime scene. Note however, that a search warrant is required to obtain that information.
That said, a real treasure trove of information can be found on jail calls. Attorney-client calls are not recorded, but everything else is- and inmates receive a message at the start of their calls that they are being recorded. It doesn't matter; we still get a ton of incriminating evidence- all of which is admissible at trial.

snakeweasel

@tjc78 said:
Wait until you all see what they could pull off of your phone!

The vast majority of drivers would be completely screwed if they used the GPS data off of your phone or car.

Heck Waze, Google Maps and Apple Maps would do most people in. Also EZPass where you tag in/out like on the NJTP … your speed can be calculated

Big brother is everywhere and you can’t hide

You can always turn off that GPS location device on your phone. Also on the Illinois tollway for short distances you may only go through one toll booth so they couldn't calculate speed.

snakeweasel

@roadburner said:
Several of my murder cases depended on cell phone data to place the defendant at the crime scene. Note however, that a search warrant is required to obtain that information.
That said, a real treasure trove of information can be found on jail calls. Attorney-client calls are not recorded, but everything else is- and inmates receive a message at the start of their calls that they are being recorded. It doesn't matter; we still get a ton of incriminating evidence- all of which is admissible at trial.

With that cell phone data are you getting the data from the phone itself or off of tower pings?

imidazol97

I recall a technical article a decade or so ago about turning the location off on a phone. The tech group set up a fake connection for the phone. Even with the location off, the phone eventually sent in a a packet of data that was the travel history for the phone while the location was turned off.
No privacy there!!!

IOW. That data is the phone company's just like the social media groups consider all info their property. I think I eventually figured out that photobucket used people's photos from the users in their promo pages and advertising even without the owners knowing. REmember all those nice scenic photos for instance that used to pop up to get you to want to save more of your photos on their site?

People are slow learners. Real easily fooled.

roadburner

@snakeweasel said:

@roadburner said:
Several of my murder cases depended on cell phone data to place the defendant at the crime scene. Note however, that a search warrant is required to obtain that information.
That said, a real treasure trove of information can be found on jail calls. Attorney-client calls are not recorded, but everything else is- and inmates receive a message at the start of their calls that they are being recorded. It doesn't matter; we still get a ton of incriminating evidence- all of which is admissible at trial.

With that cell phone data are you getting the data from the phone itself or off of tower pings?

Both.

oldfarmer50

snakeweasel said:

@roadburner said:

That story was all over the automotive boards.

Three weeks ago...

Three weeks ago? I thought this board was up to date on all things current. What am I paying these dues for?

For the ambiance.😄

oldfarmer50

tjc78 said:

Wait until you all see what they could pull off of your phone!

The vast majority of drivers would be completely screwed if they used the GPS data off of your phone or car.

Heck Waze, Google Maps and Apple Maps would do most people in. Also EZPass where you tag in/out like on the NJTP … your speed can be calculated

Big brother is everywhere and you can’t hide

Which is why I don’t use EZpass and do use an old Garmin nav that’s connected to nothing. When the CIA comes for me they’ll have a harder time doing it.😳 I do expect they’ll catch up to me getting gas at Sam’s Club since that’s the only place I can’t use cash.

tjc78

@snakeweasel said:

@tjc78 said:
Wait until you all see what they could pull off of your phone!

The vast majority of drivers would be completely screwed if they used the GPS data off of your phone or car.

Heck Waze, Google Maps and Apple Maps would do most people in. Also EZPass where you tag in/out like on the NJTP … your speed can be calculated

Big brother is everywhere and you can’t hide

You can always turn off that GPS location device on your phone. Also on the Illinois tollway for short distances you may only go through one toll booth so they couldn't calculate speed.

Doesn’t matter they can compute your locations based on what towers you phone is connecting to.

If your phone is on and connected to cellular the data is there.

As for one toll booth… true. But I’d wager most roads have time stamped video along the way and at tool booths which could do the same thing

I stand by my comment that in today’s day and age it is virtually impossible to keep from being tracked.

snakeweasel

@tjc78 said:

@snakeweasel said:

@tjc78 said:
Wait until you all see what they could pull off of your phone!

The vast majority of drivers would be completely screwed if they used the GPS data off of your phone or car.

Heck Waze, Google Maps and Apple Maps would do most people in. Also EZPass where you tag in/out like on the NJTP … your speed can be calculated

Big brother is everywhere and you can’t hide

You can always turn off that GPS location device on your phone. Also on the Illinois tollway for short distances you may only go through one toll booth so they couldn't calculate speed.

Doesn’t matter they can compute your locations based on what towers you phone is connecting to.

If your phone is on and connected to cellular the data is there.

As for one toll booth… true. But I’d wager most roads have time stamped video along the way and at tool booths which could do the same thing

I stand by my comment that in today’s day and age it is virtually impossible to keep from being tracked.

If by the tower all they can do is get you in the general location of the tower. If by cell phone data by the GPS they can get you within 16 feet if you have clear sky's, Any interference can extend that range. Currently my phone has me in my neighbors house.

jmonroe1

tjc78 said:

Wait until you all see what they could pull off of your phone!

The vast majority of drivers would be completely screwed if they used the GPS data off of your phone or car.

Heck Waze, Google Maps and Apple Maps would do most people in. Also EZPass where you tag in/out like on the NJTP … your speed can be calculated

Big brother is everywhere and you can’t hide

————————————————
Are you saying you can see me when I’m logged in here? I wasn’t offered that dues package.

jmonroe

Michaell

jmonroe1 said:

tjc78 said:

Wait until you all see what they could pull off of your phone!

The vast majority of drivers would be completely screwed if they used the GPS data off of your phone or car.

Heck Waze, Google Maps and Apple Maps would do most people in. Also EZPass where you tag in/out like on the NJTP … your speed can be calculated

Big brother is everywhere and you can’t hide

————————————————
Are you saying you can see me when I’m logged in here? I wasn’t offered that dues package.

jmonroe

You'll never know what we're tracking about you on these forums.

(insert evil laugh here, while rubbing hands together)

pensfan83

oldfarmer50 said:

tjc78 said:

Wait until you all see what they could pull off of your phone!

The vast majority of drivers would be completely screwed if they used the GPS data off of your phone or car.

Heck Waze, Google Maps and Apple Maps would do most people in. Also EZPass where you tag in/out like on the NJTP … your speed can be calculated

Big brother is everywhere and you can’t hide

Which is why I don’t use EZpass and do use an old Garmin nav that’s connected to nothing. When the CIA comes for me they’ll have a harder time doing it.😳 I do expect they’ll catch up to me getting gas at Sam’s Club since that’s the only place I can’t use cash.

But where are you getting your cash? If you're taking it out through an ATM, you're on closed circuit video and your location is tagged through the ATM's identifier. If you're using the PIN pad at a grocery store and taking out cash, that data is being captured. I can still track general movement and activities of individuals who favor cash, albeit not as easily as those who use their credit or debit cards.

nyccarguy

imidazol97 said:

I recall a technical article a decade or so ago about turning the location off on a phone. The tech group set up a fake connection for the phone. Even with the location off, the phone eventually sent in a a packet of data that was the travel history for the phone while the location was turned off.
No privacy there!!!

IOW. That data is the phone company's just like the social media groups consider all info their property. I think I eventually figured out that photobucket used people's photos from the users in their promo pages and advertising even without the owners knowing. REmember all those nice scenic photos for instance that used to pop up to get you to want to save more of your photos on their site?

People are slow learners. Real easily fooled.

I was at a friend's home a few months ago and had a very interesting conversation about this with a gentleman who works for the big cable/internet company in South/Central NJ/Philly. He works with law Enforcement once they provide him with the proper documentation. He explained to me that what is on your phone/computer is YOURS, but the cable company owns the wifi and the network, and it is easier for law enforcement to deal with the company.

explorerx4

Any one in the NE feel the earthquake?

oldfarmer50

pensfan83 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

tjc78 said:

Wait until you all see what they could pull off of your phone!

The vast majority of drivers would be completely screwed if they used the GPS data off of your phone or car.

Heck Waze, Google Maps and Apple Maps would do most people in. Also EZPass where you tag in/out like on the NJTP … your speed can be calculated

Big brother is everywhere and you can’t hide

Which is why I don’t use EZpass and do use an old Garmin nav that’s connected to nothing. When the CIA comes for me they’ll have a harder time doing it.😳 I do expect they’ll catch up to me getting gas at Sam’s Club since that’s the only place I can’t use cash.

But where are you getting your cash? If you're taking it out through an ATM, you're on closed circuit video and your location is tagged through the ATM's identifier. If you're using the PIN pad at a grocery store and taking out cash, that data is being captured. I can still track general movement and activities of individuals who favor cash, albeit not as easily as those who use their credit or debit cards.

I have never used an ATM or PIN pad at a grocery store. I guess they could track my monthly cash withdrawal from the bank but they wouldn’t know exactly what day to stake out the branch since I vary that too. I know if they want me they can do it but why make it easy?

kyfdx

oldfarmer50 said:

pensfan83 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

tjc78 said:

Wait until you all see what they could pull off of your phone!

The vast majority of drivers would be completely screwed if they used the GPS data off of your phone or car.

Heck Waze, Google Maps and Apple Maps would do most people in. Also EZPass where you tag in/out like on the NJTP … your speed can be calculated

Big brother is everywhere and you can’t hide

Which is why I don’t use EZpass and do use an old Garmin nav that’s connected to nothing. When the CIA comes for me they’ll have a harder time doing it.😳 I do expect they’ll catch up to me getting gas at Sam’s Club since that’s the only place I can’t use cash.

But where are you getting your cash? If you're taking it out through an ATM, you're on closed circuit video and your location is tagged through the ATM's identifier. If you're using the PIN pad at a grocery store and taking out cash, that data is being captured. I can still track general movement and activities of individuals who favor cash, albeit not as easily as those who use their credit or debit cards.

I have never used an ATM or PIN pad at a grocery store. I guess they could track my monthly cash withdrawal from the bank but they wouldn’t know exactly what day to stake out the branch since I vary that too. I know if they want me they can do it but why make it easy?

What do you think they will do with the info?

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

Any one in the NE feel the earthquake?

Yeah, I thought it was the stupid cat scratching the back of my chair but then my wife said “what was that?”. Very mild but we’re 150 miles from the epicenter in NJ.

Funny how folks who rarely experience earthquakes perceive them. Years ago we had one in upstate NY that shook the house. My first reaction was “why are my kids wrestling in the hall at 6 am.?”

nyccarguy

explorerx4 said:

Any one in the NE feel the earthquake?

Yes. I thought it was one of my workers pushing the pallet jack with too much weight too close to the building.

laurasdada

Nothing noticed here in Seattle, I mean SE MA.

tjc78

@explorerx4 said:
Any one in the NE feel the earthquake?

Oh yeah. We felt it pretty pronounced here in south Jersey at the shore.

ab348

oldfarmer50 said:

pensfan83 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

tjc78 said:

Wait until you all see what they could pull off of your phone!

The vast majority of drivers would be completely screwed if they used the GPS data off of your phone or car.

Heck Waze, Google Maps and Apple Maps would do most people in. Also EZPass where you tag in/out like on the NJTP … your speed can be calculated

Big brother is everywhere and you can’t hide

Which is why I don’t use EZpass and do use an old Garmin nav that’s connected to nothing. When the CIA comes for me they’ll have a harder time doing it.😳 I do expect they’ll catch up to me getting gas at Sam’s Club since that’s the only place I can’t use cash.

But where are you getting your cash? If you're taking it out through an ATM, you're on closed circuit video and your location is tagged through the ATM's identifier. If you're using the PIN pad at a grocery store and taking out cash, that data is being captured. I can still track general movement and activities of individuals who favor cash, albeit not as easily as those who use their credit or debit cards.

I have never used an ATM or PIN pad at a grocery store. I guess they could track my monthly cash withdrawal from the bank but they wouldn’t know exactly what day to stake out the branch since I vary that too. I know if they want me they can do it but why make it easy?

Quoting Archie Bunker, “I’m not paranoid!! Why are you all trying to get me?”

In other news, on my iPad now the emojis are once again inserting themselves as the first item in any post.

jmonroe1

explorerx4 said:

Any one in the NE feel the earthquake?

————————————————-
I’ll bet not as much as the folks in Taiwan.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

pensfan83 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

tjc78 said:

Wait until you all see what they could pull off of your phone!

The vast majority of drivers would be completely screwed if they used the GPS data off of your phone or car.

Heck Waze, Google Maps and Apple Maps would do most people in. Also EZPass where you tag in/out like on the NJTP … your speed can be calculated

Big brother is everywhere and you can’t hide

Which is why I don’t use EZpass and do use an old Garmin nav that’s connected to nothing. When the CIA comes for me they’ll have a harder time doing it.😳 I do expect they’ll catch up to me getting gas at Sam’s Club since that’s the only place I can’t use cash.

But where are you getting your cash? If you're taking it out through an ATM, you're on closed circuit video and your location is tagged through the ATM's identifier. If you're using the PIN pad at a grocery store and taking out cash, that data is being captured. I can still track general movement and activities of individuals who favor cash, albeit not as easily as those who use their credit or debit cards.

I have never used an ATM or PIN pad at a grocery store. I guess they could track my monthly cash withdrawal from the bank but they wouldn’t know exactly what day to stake out the branch since I vary that too. I know if they want me they can do it but why make it easy?

Quoting Archie Bunker, “I’m not paranoid!! Why are you all trying to get me?”

In other news, on my iPad now the emojis are once again inserting themselves as the first item in any post.

That’s the government letting you know they control everything.😂

oldfarmer50

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

pensfan83 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

tjc78 said:

Wait until you all see what they could pull off of your phone!

The vast majority of drivers would be completely screwed if they used the GPS data off of your phone or car.

Heck Waze, Google Maps and Apple Maps would do most people in. Also EZPass where you tag in/out like on the NJTP … your speed can be calculated

Big brother is everywhere and you can’t hide

Which is why I don’t use EZpass and do use an old Garmin nav that’s connected to nothing. When the CIA comes for me they’ll have a harder time doing it.😳 I do expect they’ll catch up to me getting gas at Sam’s Club since that’s the only place I can’t use cash.

But where are you getting your cash? If you're taking it out through an ATM, you're on closed circuit video and your location is tagged through the ATM's identifier. If you're using the PIN pad at a grocery store and taking out cash, that data is being captured. I can still track general movement and activities of individuals who favor cash, albeit not as easily as those who use their credit or debit cards.

I have never used an ATM or PIN pad at a grocery store. I guess they could track my monthly cash withdrawal from the bank but they wouldn’t know exactly what day to stake out the branch since I vary that too. I know if they want me they can do it but why make it easy?

What do you think they will do with the info?

Nothing….until they want to.🫣 I’m not really that paranoid, it’s just my normal contrarian nature. My reading of history tells me not to trust government or car salesman.

kyfdx

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

pensfan83 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

tjc78 said:

Wait until you all see what they could pull off of your phone!

The vast majority of drivers would be completely screwed if they used the GPS data off of your phone or car.

Heck Waze, Google Maps and Apple Maps would do most people in. Also EZPass where you tag in/out like on the NJTP … your speed can be calculated

Big brother is everywhere and you can’t hide

Which is why I don’t use EZpass and do use an old Garmin nav that’s connected to nothing. When the CIA comes for me they’ll have a harder time doing it.😳 I do expect they’ll catch up to me getting gas at Sam’s Club since that’s the only place I can’t use cash.

But where are you getting your cash? If you're taking it out through an ATM, you're on closed circuit video and your location is tagged through the ATM's identifier. If you're using the PIN pad at a grocery store and taking out cash, that data is being captured. I can still track general movement and activities of individuals who favor cash, albeit not as easily as those who use their credit or debit cards.

I have never used an ATM or PIN pad at a grocery store. I guess they could track my monthly cash withdrawal from the bank but they wouldn’t know exactly what day to stake out the branch since I vary that too. I know if they want me they can do it but why make it easy?

What do you think they will do with the info?

Nothing….until they want to.🫣 I’m not really that paranoid, it’s just my normal contrarian nature. My reading of history tells me not to trust government or car salesman.

I've saved $300 in credit card rebates already this year...

jmonroe1

oldfarmer50 said:

pensfan83 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

tjc78 said:

Wait until you all see what they could pull off of your phone!

The vast majority of drivers would be completely screwed if they used the GPS data off of your phone or car.

Heck Waze, Google Maps and Apple Maps would do most people in. Also EZPass where you tag in/out like on the NJTP … your speed can be calculated

Big brother is everywhere and you can’t hide

Which is why I don’t use EZpass and do use an old Garmin nav that’s connected to nothing. When the CIA comes for me they’ll have a harder time doing it.😳 I do expect they’ll catch up to me getting gas at Sam’s Club since that’s the only place I can’t use cash.

But where are you getting your cash? If you're taking it out through an ATM, you're on closed circuit video and your location is tagged through the ATM's identifier. If you're using the PIN pad at a grocery store and taking out cash, that data is being captured. I can still track general movement and activities of individuals who favor cash, albeit not as easily as those who use their credit or debit cards.

I have never used an ATM or PIN pad at a grocery store. I guess they could track my monthly cash withdrawal from the bank but they wouldn’t know exactly what day to stake out the branch since I vary that too. I know if they want me they can do it but why make it easy?

————————————————-
Brace yourself, I’ve now changed my SS number to yours so the IRS can’t get me.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

pensfan83 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

tjc78 said:

Wait until you all see what they could pull off of your phone!

The vast majority of drivers would be completely screwed if they used the GPS data off of your phone or car.

Heck Waze, Google Maps and Apple Maps would do most people in. Also EZPass where you tag in/out like on the NJTP … your speed can be calculated

Big brother is everywhere and you can’t hide

Which is why I don’t use EZpass and do use an old Garmin nav that’s connected to nothing. When the CIA comes for me they’ll have a harder time doing it.😳 I do expect they’ll catch up to me getting gas at Sam’s Club since that’s the only place I can’t use cash.

But where are you getting your cash? If you're taking it out through an ATM, you're on closed circuit video and your location is tagged through the ATM's identifier. If you're using the PIN pad at a grocery store and taking out cash, that data is being captured. I can still track general movement and activities of individuals who favor cash, albeit not as easily as those who use their credit or debit cards.

I have never used an ATM or PIN pad at a grocery store. I guess they could track my monthly cash withdrawal from the bank but they wouldn’t know exactly what day to stake out the branch since I vary that too. I know if they want me they can do it but why make it easy?

What do you think they will do with the info?

Nothing….until they want to.🫣 I’m not really that paranoid, it’s just my normal contrarian nature. My reading of history tells me not to trust government or car salesman.

I've saved $300 in credit card rebates already this year...

I’ve probably save $300 in interest charges/fees by not using mine. My mechanic charges a 3.9% service fee for credit cards and most gas station charge 10 cents more. I’ll make large individual purchases on the card and get the points but I see lots of people using cards for a cup of coffee. I never understood that. I’d feel funny not having enough cash to a least buy lunch.

Yeah I know I a dinosaur.

tjc78

@kyfdx said:
I've saved $300 in credit card rebates already this year...

I just cashed a ton of points for our flights to Turks in October. Saved over $2500

ab348

jmonroe1 said:

Brace yourself, I’ve now changed my SS number to yours so the IRS can’t get me.

Better keep an eye out for the IRS agents invading your backyard armed with picks and shovels looking for the hermetically sealed canisters of cash buried there.