Ask Slashdot: How To Back Up Physical Data?

Well.. by Zembar · 2014-04-29 21:14 · Score: 5, Funny

You could start working from home, because then proving your identity will be the coroner's problem, not yours.

Re:Well.. by Old+Fatty+Baldman · 2014-04-30 02:33 · Score: 2

He mentioned ICE papers. Do you want *your* tax dollars paying for the disposal of some unidentifiable foreigner's charred remains?
Re:Well.. by godefroi · 2014-04-30 03:02 · Score: 1

Yes, because it's better than leaving said charred remains to rot. Charred remains smell bad, foreign or not.

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Overly Paranoid by Anonymous Coward · 2014-04-29 21:19 · Score: 5, Informative

When they issue a photo I.D. for someone the state also keeps a record. The same goes for Passports(federal), they want your picture in a database.

Loosing credentials happens to travelers in foreign countries all the time. You go the embassy and request new credentials.

Re:Overly Paranoid by sjames · 2014-04-29 21:59 · Score: 1

HaHaHaHaHa.
Then why does the DMV insist you need to prove your ID before they will issue a replacement ID. They will, of course, want your SS card. Hope you didn't lose that too, because SSA wants your picture ID to replace your SS card.
Re:Overly Paranoid by peragrin · 2014-04-29 22:33 · Score: 1

that's just it you should at least have your drivers license on you at all times anyways. oh sure in most states you have 24 hours to produce your license to cops if you get stopped, however if you don't have it you have no chance in hell of talking your way out of the ticket.

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i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
Re:Overly Paranoid by drinkypoo · 2014-04-29 22:41 · Score: 2

Then why does the DMV insist you need to prove your ID before they will issue a replacement ID. They will, of course, want your SS card. Hope you didn't lose that too, because SSA wants your picture ID to replace your SS card.
Look, this is very simple and you're making it more complicated than it really is. You keep an official copy of your birth certificate in your safety deposit box, perhaps the original on the assumption that it's safer there than in your house. You can get a duplicate social security card before you even need it, and put that in there as well. Neither of these things ever expires. If you want to save yourself some money, get two copies of each thing and stash them with someone you trust more than a bank. Who trusts banks, anyway? With your BC and your SS you will certainly be able to get an ID.
Obviously, another option is to get a passport and keep that around. It's valid ID for replacing any and all of this stuff.

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"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
Re:Overly Paranoid by Anonymous Coward · 2014-04-29 23:23 · Score: 2, Informative

Requesting a replacement Social Security card does not explicitly *require* photo identification. All they ask for is "evidence of identity" and specifically mention scenarios where you may lack government-issued photo ID (ex. license, state-issued ID card, or passport). The government-issued photo ID just makes the process quicker/easier for them, that's all, else you're asked to provide alternate forms of identification: military record, certificate of naturalisation or certificate of birth, employee ID card, medical record or immunization record, Medicaid card, or even a life insurance policy or adoption papers. I had to do this several years ago as I lost my original social security card (I had copies, just not the actual paper card provided by the SSA).
It works the same way when getting a US passport, actually -- if you can't provide either a driver's license or state-issued ID card, you're given about 20-25 alternate forms of proof (the more you have of these the better; call the State Dept. if you want the full list, the website doesn't list off all of them). You can also fill out a DS-71 form (witness validation -- someone who's known you for 2+ years, is a US citizen or permanent resident, has valid ID (see above), and must be there with you physically at the time of passport submission).
How do I know all this crap, especially passports? Because a few months ago I went through trying to get a US passport at the local post office (a few blocks from here) -- solely for use as a form of ID -- resulted in irritation and humiliation. I do not have a driver's license (I don't drive nor have I ever) and cannot go to a DMV to get a state-issued ID card due to medical problems (hence why I wanted a passport). I'm a US citizen and was born here. The "reviewer" at the post office, despite being provided with 7 alternate forms of permitted ID, *and* with a witness (someone I've known for over 15 years who has a valid US passport and driver's license), rejected accepting my passport submission citing "the circumstances were weird [that I had no plans to travel abroad yet were asking for a passport]", speculated that "I could have found some random dude and paid {said friend} to act as a witness for a DS-71", and told me to come back "when I had a doctor's note to prove I couldn't go to the DMV to get a state ID card". To be clear: it was not a passport agency which rejected me, it was some jackass at an official "passport acceptance facility" (i.e. post office).
Because I kept questioning myself ("What did I do wrong? What forms of secondary ID weren't compliant?"), I made a call to the State Dept., which resulted in an investigation -- they were particularly interested in the fact that I was told to get a doctor's letter, since that has no bearing on anything relating to a passport and is a very tricky subject here in California. Two managers at the State Dept. both told me that the doofus should have accepted everything I had -- the DS-71 wasn't even necessary, so they say -- and sent it off to Los Angeles where it probably would have been approved. I haven't gone back there post-investigation since there's apparently no way to guarantee I'll see someone different (I worry I'll get the same guy, despite the investigation, and he'll just be an even bigger dick), and going up to San Francisco to the official passport agency isn't an option given my health.
Sorry for the long story there, but this "ID verification" thing is still fresh in my mind.
The one place that does require state-issued photo ID to get something is -- are you ready? -- a library card from a local library; they won't accept anything else, which is probably what you were getting at (you can actually use a local library card as a form of alternate ID when applying for a passport, but how do you
Re:Overly Paranoid by rioki · 2014-04-29 23:36 · Score: 2

My father had this sort of. While visiting his mother in California, his bag was stolen while at the beach and this included his passport and wallet. The result was he had absolutely no ID whatsoever. The solution to the problem was to get two people that where related to him, with ID to swear he was how he claimed to be. End of story, yes it was a huge hassle, but in the end it worked out.
Re:Overly Paranoid by rjune · 2014-04-30 00:09 · Score: 1

Why didn't you just apply for a State of California ID? The card can be used for identification in place of drivers license. http://dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.h...
If your friend was willing to vouch for you at the post office surely he could have driven you to a DMV office.
Re:Overly Paranoid by Lumpy · 2014-04-30 00:30 · Score: 1

Which is stupid as hell, a SS card is trivial to fake, utterly trivial. I never carry mine, I memorize the number and that is all I am willing to give up, NOBODY get's my SS card as an "ID" mine is old enough to say, "illegal to use as identification" the DMV can look up my name and look at the photo on the screen, I have pushed the issue at the DMV before for a replacement license. I forced the lady to get her supervisor, and I asked, can you see my photo on your screen? "yes" do you want to pull on my face to make sure it's not an ultra real mask? "I'll authorize this replacement"

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Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
Re:Overly Paranoid by azadrozny · 2014-04-30 01:04 · Score: 2

I agree, there is way too much over thinking going on here. Many states will issue second birth certificates. I ordered duplicates when my children were born. I now keep one copy at home in a fire resistant box, and the second in a safe deposit box. An insurance rep. recommended to me that you keep your fire resistant box next to something large, like a washing machine, the reason being that large steal items will be easier to locate, especially if the structure around it were to collapse. This would hopefully expedite the return of your important papers.
Re:Overly Paranoid by Cro+Magnon · 2014-04-30 01:22 · Score: 1

So, what happens if your wallet gets stolen with your driver's license and SS card? Or, if you don't carry the SS in your wallet, you have a burglary and get your wallet (with DL) snatched before you get around to replacing the SS?

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Re:Overly Paranoid by MightyYar · 2014-04-30 01:28 · Score: 1

A friend of mine keeps a photocopy of it in his glovebox and leaves the original in his safe deposit box. Kooky, but he claims to have never had a serious problem.

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W..w..W - Willy Waterloo washes Warren Wiggins who is washing Waldo Woo.
Re:Overly Paranoid by dolmen.fr · 2014-04-30 01:43 · Score: 1

If your friend was willing to vouch for you at the post office surely he could have driven you to a DMV office.
He didn't say his friend had a driving licence and a car. Besides that, his health may not allow him to go away from his home for a long time (or other reasons).
Re:Overly Paranoid by RJFerret · 2014-04-30 01:44 · Score: 1

Yes, there are procedures in place since this happens occasionally.
If you want to invest in something, get a fireproof safe. You don't even need to lock it (since the odds of a break-in are generally lower than fire). But former tax records may be obtained from the IRS, former bank statements from the credit union, birth certificate copies from town halls, etc. The only tricky one is receipts spent on capital gains to your real estate, since municipal government only documents original purchase price, and contractors tend not to maintain such records for decades. Your insurance agent/company may be of some help here, if you send them documentation of upgrades.
But the odds of having left your wallet at home the exact day a meteor blows up your house are astronomical (pun intended). Spending on that "un-eventuality" is like paying for an electronics warranty at checkout, wasting time, money and emotional fortitude on something that is cheaper to repair in the unlikely event of it happening.
Deal in reality, instead of fantasy.
Re:Overly Paranoid by mcgrew · 2014-04-30 01:56 · Score: 1

My wallet was stolen at the Y several years ago (which got me to stop working out). Getting the license replaced was easier than getting my library card replaced. All the DMV needed was two pieces of mail. Perhaps you need a better Secretary of State where you live?
When I retired, my employer needed a copy of my birth certificate. I was able to order a copy over the internet, no paper required. All I needed was to know stuff I would know if I was really me.
As to the submission, how in the hell did it get posted? Is the submitter that ignorant?? All you need to back up your paper is a scanner. There are, indeed, stupid questions and this submission is proof.
DUH!! When did slashdot stop being a nerd site?

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Re:Overly Paranoid by guru42101 · 2014-04-30 02:15 · Score: 1

This is what I've done. I have the most recent official copy on me or in my fire safe at home (for DL's the old copy is officially invalid, but unless you're dealing with the government no one cares). The backup/older copy is with with a family member in their fire safe.
Re:Overly Paranoid by sjames · 2014-04-30 05:32 · Score: 1

Yes, I do need a better Secretary of State. One who will push back against the new DL requirements pushed by the Feds. It used to be quite easy before the backdoor maneuver to turn a DL into a national ID card in all but name.
Re:Overly Paranoid by Anonymous Coward · 2014-04-30 05:41 · Score: 1

What dolmen.fr said is correct. But I'll explain as I understand your point:
Getting a state ID card in California requires you to physically be present at the DMV with the same stipulations as doing a driving test -- that is, you schedule a time to be there, and you may be there the entire day waiting (and from what I understand bathroom access while there isn't usually provided). This is different than where I'm originally from (Oregon), where (at least back in the mid-90s) you could literally go to the DMV at any time with all your proper paperwork, say "I need a state ID card", and walk out 15 minutes later with one in hand. The DMV is about 20 minutes from where I live, which is too far of a distance for me to travel due to my medical/health condition (I'm one of the rarer people who has mixed-type, so there's even less doctors can advise/do, and is classified as moderate-to-severe). It's a shitty situation, pun intended. Going a few blocks to the post office is do-able on a "good" day, so I had to cross my fingers I was feeling okay that day (I got lucky, but by the time I left I sure as hell wasn't feeling good). My point is that severe IBS greatly complicates even the most simplest of tasks that most people take for granted (no offence intended); "just go to the XYZ and get ABC" becomes a complex task with many nuances when for others it's a no-brainer.
The important part of the story is the fact that the representative had some kind of hard-on for a state ID card or driver's license, as if it was a piece of mandatory identification -- and the State Dept made it crystal clear it is NOT. Furthermore -- and this is what the State Dept was extremely concerned with -- California has very strict/stringent laws when it comes to when a doctor's letter is considered justification for something or when medically-related information has to be presented (for example, attending a court hearing by phone rather than in person is one such circumstance where it's legitimate, but employers asking about health conditions during the hiring process is against the law), but a passport agency or affiliate asking for "proof" of a health condition just to get past the passport screening process isn't allowed/had no relevancy (again, according to the State Dept), so the fact someone at such a facility was asking for it put the government in a precarious position (i.e. could potentially be sued). Worst-case scenario the DS-71 should have been a sufficient fall-back.
TL;DR -- If I could actually go to the DMV and get a state ID card I would have by now. The thing is, a passport makes more overall sense for someone like me to have given the complexities, since it doesn't expire after a year like a state ID card. But as said, the State Dept. made it crystal clear that one does not need a state ID card or driver's license to apply for a passport.
Re:Overly Paranoid by rwa2 · 2014-04-30 06:14 · Score: 1

Yes, invest in a good fireproof safe, and you'll be fine.
SentrySafe has cheap-ish plastic safe boxes in the $100 range. I ended up finding a nice metal Winchester fire safe at Costco for $300, though. Plus, since it's conceivably a gun safe, there was no sales tax on it (to encourage people to lock up their guns, I guess).
For a little more, you can even get ones with USB ports so you can backup your digital data directly to a drive inside your fire safe. But that's luxury.
Like RJFerret said, though, I'd be more inconvenienced by losing what's in my wallet or even in my car than the contents of my safe, though.
Re:Overly Paranoid by omnichad · 2014-04-30 06:35 · Score: 2

That would certainly be a large steal, but it would be a difficult steal.
Re:Overly Paranoid by Wycliffe · 2014-04-30 10:50 · Score: 1

When they issue a photo I.D. for someone the state also keeps a record. The same goes for Passports(federal), they want your picture in a database.
Loosing credentials happens to travelers in foreign countries all the time. You go the embassy and request new credentials.
Not only that but an expired passport is probably the best form of secondary identification you can have.
With just an expired passport you can easily get a replacement drivers license, social security card, etc...
Bury it in your backyard, give it to a friend, etc... and it can be used to replace all the other ids and get
into your safety deposit box with all the rest of your valuables.
They also offer a cheap passport card with purchase of a passport that also works great as a secondary id.
Re:Overly Paranoid by RockDoctor · 2014-05-01 09:03 · Score: 1

Since the only important copy of the licensing data is the one in the database, that is normally sufficient. The paper copies are only for countries (counties / roads) without the IT infrastructure for roadside police to check against the database.
If you have your license revoked - say, you acquire one speeding ticket too many - but you keep the physical copy of the driving license, is that going to protect you from being booked for illegal driving if you get pulled over for speeding? Of course it's not : you'll present your (illegally-retained) license to the copper ; they'll call it in to HQ (or use their laptop, or whatever), and find that your license has been revoked ; they'll then arrest you for driving without license, without insurance, and speeding. And unless there's another licensed and insured driver in the car, that's going to be towed to the pound at your expense.
To be honest, I don't even carry a copy of my driving license with me. It's not photographic, so "meh". No use except as emergency shit-paper.

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Birds are not dinosaur descendants;birds are dinosaurs, for all useful meanings of "birds", "are" and "dinosaurs"
Re:Overly Paranoid by dacaldar · 2014-05-01 16:49 · Score: 1

There's one added risk with leaving anything with your address on it in your glove box.
I was in a group of people that hung our winter jackets on a coat rack to rehearse for a play in the basement of a church. Someone came in while we were busy, reached into coat pockets until finding a set of keys, walked up and down the street clicking "unlock" until he found the right car, took the insurance papers from the glove box to get the home address. Used the car to drive there. Used the same keyring to enter the house, took TV, VCR, etc, and got out of there.
The people who were violated were just thankful they had decided to encourage their 13 year old to come with them to the rehearsal rather than leave her at home alone for a couple hours, which they have done other times (and for those who aren't parents, it's an age where it's considered normal to be able to be home alone, even in modern paranoid times).
After that, I don't keep anything with my address on it in either of our cars. We photocopy the green registration so that both my wife and I have a copy of both in our wallets, even if we switch cars. And we have the insurance company send us an extra copy of the pink proof of insurance for our wallets too.
Re:Overly Paranoid by MightyYar · 2014-05-01 23:48 · Score: 1

Wow, that seems like a lot of trouble for a burglar, simply to avoid breaking a window! Then again, they aren't usually the smartest people. Probably someone you knew from the church.

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W..w..W - Willy Waterloo washes Warren Wiggins who is washing Waldo Woo.
Re:Overly Paranoid by dacaldar · 2014-05-02 04:53 · Score: 1

Don't you think it's smart (evil-smart)?
Thought experiment:
If you break a window on a random house, you have the following problems:
-Someone could be home (you want to steal stuff, not a fight)
-Neighbours could hear the glass shatter and investigate or call police
-You could hurt yourself on the sharp glass
If you do it this thief's way:
-You already know that the owners are busy elsewhere, and likely to be busy for at least the next hour, since it appeared we were getting ready for some kind of performance.
-In the cover of darkness, nobody who happens to be looking outside would suspect much to see their neighbour's normal car return home and a figure walk from driveway to house and enter it easily.
-You also get a free a getaway vehicle, that you ditch later, and even if you own a vehicle, nobody could get your licence plate if they did notice something.
The thief wasn't from the church, the priest was in the play and actually took note of someone unfamiliar in the basement, but when he questioned him, he answered that he was there to set up for the AA meeting.
Re:Overly Paranoid by MightyYar · 2014-05-02 06:10 · Score: 1

You don't know the house is empty, though - you even said that their 13-year-old was almost home.
Around here, even the dumbest thieves do pretty well despite their stupidity. They generally wander the neighborhood looking for open windows and doors late at night. They get caught in the most unbelievably stupid ways... stuff like using the same pawn broker over and over or using a stolen credit card at the gas station where they get their picture and license plate taken on the CCTV. One guy was robbing his own neighbors and bringing the stuff back to his own house. Just plain stupid.
IMHO, complicating a simple unlawful entry crime with grand theft auto and multiple venues is an example of acting more clever than you really are. KISS :)

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W..w..W - Willy Waterloo washes Warren Wiggins who is washing Waldo Woo.
Re:Overly Paranoid by gl4ss · 2014-05-04 15:17 · Score: 1

hah yeah!
it's a stupid troll to say that it's not a life threatening problem to lose your ID. friggin 'muricans and their 3rd world problems of worrying if they lose their ID in the country that takes biometric id's of everyone passing the border..

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world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
Re:Overly Paranoid by rjune · 2014-05-06 03:30 · Score: 1

The additional information certainly changes things. You said you contacted the State Department. How about the constituent services office of your Congressman or Senators? Most government agencies don't like to have to answer congressional inquiries. It may or may not help, but it will draw a lot of attention to that individual - something that his supervisor's won't appreciate.

Have you ever heard the phrase "off-site backup"? by SeaFox · 2014-04-29 21:26 · Score: 5, Insightful

If it had been my house, it would have destroyed all my paperwork that proves who I am.

There's this marvelous service called a safe deposit box that banks offer...

papers, please by Anonymous Coward · 2014-04-29 21:27 · Score: 2, Insightful

all my paperwork that proves who I am

If you live in a society that requires papers to prove who you are, you have a bigger problem.

Back in the 1960s, we had a saying. "I am not a number, I am a free man!" Apparently the popular saying in the 2010s is, "How may I obey today?"

Hint: you are the problem.

Re:papers, please by JWSmythe · 2014-04-29 22:13 · Score: 1

I don't mind being a number. I have several. :) You're never really free, unless you can be sure you can *always* travel unmolested. ... unless you want to get molested, but that's another conversation entirely.

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Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.
Re:papers, please by gtall · 2014-04-29 22:44 · Score: 1

Guy: Hi. I'm a long lost relative of yours from the Olde Country. Our parents had a bet and promised their kids would pay up. You owe me $1000.
You: I don't know you from Adam. How do I know you are who you say you are.
Guy: I'm me, can't you see? Are you blind? Now fork over the moolah before I get medieval on your ass.
You: Uh....okay, here's the $1000. Please come back if you need more.
Re:papers, please by Lumpy · 2014-04-30 00:37 · Score: 1

Me: Lets see if you can take it from me, bring it little girl!
Too many people roll over at the slightest threat of violence. IF someone threatens you, that is your invitation to go nuclear. and i mean nuclear... Step 1 rip their ears off, it's really easy to do, 90% of the big bad guys will freak out badly and run away. the 10% that dont are what you really worry about.

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Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
Re:papers, please by camperdave · 2014-04-30 06:07 · Score: 1

I like this identification scene in the Frog Prince:

King Rupert the Second: I'm sorry, but if you're really my sister, I'm afraid I need proof.
Taminella: Well, all right, good King Rupert the Second. What was the name of your father?
King Rupert the Second: King Rupert the First!
Taminella: So was mine!
King Rupert the Second: Sister!
Taminella: Brother!

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When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
Re:papers, please by JWSmythe · 2014-04-30 16:21 · Score: 1

It's a really long list. You're probably asking about a number for a specific identity. But, I don't really need you keeping it safe for me, I can always get new ones.

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Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.

Fairly easy by Opportunist · 2014-04-29 21:29 · Score: 1

First, backing up your physical data: Digitize it. That way you reduced the problem to one that you know a solution for.

Second: Go get that key from the field. Security by obscurity doesn't work. You can leave the cellphone, but I'd advise erasing the numbers in case any have been stored.

Third: Rent a storage box at a bank. Make it so you can access it by signature and password, fingerprint if your bank offers that service (and if not, shop around, banks have started offering such a service). Put everything you need in such an emergency in that box, i.e. a proof of ID, a spare house key, a list of phone numbers and account numbers along with everything else.

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We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.

Re:Fairly easy by bsDaemon · 2014-04-30 00:44 · Score: 1

A key buried far away from the lock to which it goes is probably perfectly safe. It is, however, ridiculous, but I wouldn't trot out "security through obscurity" for it. However, numbers in the cell phone would likely be able to tie the key to a lock, and that's the most glaring vulnerability right there. (Also the stupidest part of the plan).
Additionally: since the fact that the key exists has been announced, security through obscurity isn't really applicable. To wit: I know you have an account, and I know you have a password. I do not, however, know your password. The password is secret, but the fact that it exists is known and is therefor not obscure. Likewise, one can assume the existence of a private key in a public/private key pair. The secrecy of the key is necessary for the encryption scheme to work as intended, but existence of key isn't denied, therefor not obscure.
Re:Fairly easy by DZign · 2014-04-30 00:55 · Score: 1

http://www.theplacewithnoname....
Digitize it, put it on an encrypted usb stick you have always with you.. on that sites are lists of what all to include.

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Re:Fairly easy by Ksevio · 2014-04-30 02:22 · Score: 1

Go get that key from the field. Security by obscurity doesn't work
You're suggesting that a potential home thief would scour the surrounding quarter mile and prod the ground looking for a box? You must have very dedicated thieves in your area! Seems it would be easier to break a window.

Regardless, security through obscurity DOES work. It's not perfect, but it's going to stop 99.9% of the attackers (or more in this case), which is a lot better than 0%.
Re:Fairly easy by Triklyn · 2014-04-30 05:19 · Score: 1

truthfully, the bigger risk is having it simply not be there when you need it because some kid or dog dug it up, and played with/ ate it.

Say hello to your neighbour. by StoneCrusher · 2014-04-29 21:31 · Score: 5, Insightful

Surely there is one person in your street or at work that you can ask to crash on a couch for a night. Not every problem is solved by the cloud. Human interaction will get you a long way.

FYI: Banks, courts, and the Government issued ID have processes for people who have lost everything. It generally involves someone signing a document that vouches for your identity. It's not a big deal. If you really want to speed the process, a couple of scans of your documents emailed to yourself will help them simply look up a record and reprint the documents.

Also for the hotel problem. If you really don't have a neighbour that would let you spend the night (just what did you do to them?) the fire department and police department have contacts of places you can stay and worry about the bill later.

TLDR; You live in a society, when your house blows up, it is time to redeem your credit. Relax.

Re:Say hello to your neighbour. by Culture20 · 2014-04-30 00:06 · Score: 1

In the feared case of gas leak explosion, the entire street becomes unlivable. Houses next door will be destroyed. Houses further out will be shifted off their foundations and fire departments will not let anyone enter. All the houses in the neighborhood will have broken windows.
Re:Say hello to your neighbour. by jittles · 2014-04-30 00:13 · Score: 1

In the feared case of gas leak explosion, the entire street becomes unlivable. Houses next door will be destroyed. Houses further out will be shifted off their foundations and fire departments will not let anyone enter. All the houses in the neighborhood will have broken windows.
I don't know about you, but I think I have at least a few friends who would let me show up randomly after work and sleep on their couch if my place had just been destroyed in an explosion. So it doesn't have to be a neighbor either!
Re:Say hello to your neighbour. by LWATCDR · 2014-04-30 00:30 · Score: 1

For a place to crash it is called friends and or family. Honestly you will probably be shocked how many people will help. Unless you are a friendless jerk that is.
Also the Red Cross helps people that have lost everything in home fires all the time.
You really seem worried about something that is just not likely to happen. The spare mobile phone buried in a field seems really odd. How do you keep it charged? Overall the odds of this happening are far less than the odds of you dropping dead from a massive heart attack caused by you stressing out over it.

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No way! by Anonymous Coward · 2014-04-29 21:32 · Score: 1

No way to back up paperwork. You can have photocopies, scan images (which are photocopies) and so on.
But they are not back ups. They are just copies with little or even no legal value.
I had all my documents stolen.
I went to the Police Station to open a file, then to the city hall to have my identity checked against their files and had a brand new id. From there I went back to the Police Station and started a procedure to get all other documents back.

Old tech: xerox machine by bugnuts · 2014-04-29 21:42 · Score: 1

Periodic copying, on a copier/xerox, of the contents of your wallet works well. Make sure you copy both sides of credit cards and such, as they have numbers to call for cancellation or replacement. You could even simply scan the contents, then encrypt and store it somewhere.

For contacts, calendar, cellphones: Google works well for contacts, but you can use any caldav application. This handles your "physical" rolodex. And if your phone is destroyed, you can restore the contacts to a new phone.

You don't need backups of your physical stuff, you need to be able to quickly replace it.

Re:Old tech: xerox machine by Joce640k · 2014-04-29 22:19 · Score: 1

Periodic copying, on a copier/xerox, of the contents of your wallet works well. Make sure you copy both sides of credit cards and such, as they have numbers to call for cancellation or replacement. You could even simply scan the contents, then encrypt and store it somewhere.
What is this "copier/xerox/scanner" you speak of? Are you also going to telefax the copy you made to the secure location?
The correct method is to place the document on a wooden table and photograph it with your cellphone.

--
No sig today...

You're not the first person to think of this by Anonymous Coward · 2014-04-29 21:42 · Score: 5, Interesting

If I'd come home from work and found my house was now a pile of rubble, how would I prove I lived there

Oddly enough I had a conversation with my parents a week or two where they said they'd paid off all but £100 of their mortgage years ago. I asked why they hadn't done the the last bit, and they said there was an arrangement with the bank: you keep £100 on the mortgage indefinitely, pay interest on that and in return they keep all of the deeds and other paperwork related to the house in a safe, off-site location. As long as you have photo ID and a bank card to prove you're their customer (you carry your driving license and bank card around, right?) you can then still get hold of the deeds no matter what happens to your house.

My Dad also gets a bit paranoid about this sort of thing, so when they travel they make up a "disaster kit": copies of all important data and documents, contacts, etc. on a USB drive and given to one of us kids.

Like others have said, off-site storage if you're paranoid.

Re:You're not the first person to think of this by RandomFactor · 2014-04-29 22:48 · Score: 3, Insightful

And in return they retain a lean on the property. I'm not sure how but I suspect that every now and then this works out in the bank's favor dramatically somehow...

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--- Mercutio was right.
Re:You're not the first person to think of this by DigiShaman · 2014-04-30 01:11 · Score: 1

Yeah, a lean on the property in exchange for a safety deposit box doesn't sound like such a deal to me either. A box that you're still paying for in fact.

--
Life is not for the lazy.
Re:You're not the first person to think of this by nine-times · 2014-04-30 01:53 · Score: 2

I wonder what happens if they stop making the mortgage payments on that £100 debt.
Re:You're not the first person to think of this by the+eric+conspiracy · 2014-04-30 03:31 · Score: 2

By paying off my mortgage the bank did me the favor of sending a letter to the county records office showing that they disclaim their lien on the title for my home.
Given this records office has deeds and records going back to 1637, and physical copies in a second location I am fairly confident of their ability to maintain this information without loss. I also have a backup copy in my personal records.
I would definitely prefer to have no liens on my property and rely on long standing government institutions than take my chances with a bank.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
Re:You're not the first person to think of this by gl4ss · 2014-05-04 15:24 · Score: 1

that's a pretty nifty arrangement from the bank. 1st world countries have an external registry of who owns the house too.
now if they miss interest on the 100 bucks, the bank can foreclosure. or can try foreclosure even if they don't miss, with bs reason like "they're not likely to be able to pay". and it looks good on the banks books to "own" the house too. it's a nice way to make old folks be perpetual 500k+ customers on paper though.

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world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.

Smoldering lock by nospam007 · 2014-04-29 21:44 · Score: 4, Funny

If the lock is smoldering that doesn't matter. Your house is a pile of rubble, you can get into that from 5 directions.

You need a weapons cache in a different field, fake IDs in another one, foreign money in still a different one, a few other houses in different locations, summer homes in different countries.
A numbered account in Switzerland an the Caiman's, you can store paper copies in your planes and yachts.
Hide a tele-operated submarine with copies and money somewhere an install a hidden fortress in the arctic.

That should do it.

Or just store copies of your personal papers at a friend's.

Re:Smoldering lock by Vitriol+Angst · 2014-04-30 00:18 · Score: 1

That seems like a lot of bother.
All you need is your important stuff in a pocket dimension which you access with your bag of holding and portal ring. You can escape by jumping in the pocket dimension and finding an exit in another location.

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>>"ad space available -- low rates!!!"
Re:Smoldering lock by CRCulver · 2014-04-30 01:17 · Score: 1

Or just store copies of your personal papers at a friend's.

I'm not sure this is advisable, considering how many stories circulate about storing a box at a friend's, only for it to be e.g. damaged by flooding (possibly after your friend moved it from the safe place you agreed to the flood-prone place, "Whoops, sorry, bro."). Plus, your friend's house has just as big a risk of fire, flood or bulgary as yours. I would have much greater piece of mind with a safe-deposit box.
Re:Smoldering lock by nitehawk214 · 2014-04-30 04:02 · Score: 1

But unless you are next door neighbors, or live in the same building, it is unlikely that both you and your friend's homes will burn/flood/be destroyed at the exact same time.

--
I'm a good cook. I'm a fantastic eater. - Steven Brust
Re:Smoldering lock by Provocateur · 2014-04-30 04:09 · Score: 1

Surely your minions have done all this by now, aren't you following the Evil Mastermind Playbook:Organizing in an Evil Organization?

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WARNING: Smartphones have side effects--most of them undocumented.

Re:If you owe money to someone.. by Anonymous Coward · 2014-04-29 21:45 · Score: 1, Insightful

Really? do you honestly believe that everyone on this planet owes someone or some company money?

You really need to get out of your mom's basement from time to time.

Personally, I owe no one any money. sure I have Credit Cards but I clear the bill before the statement is issued, otherwise I owe no one anything.
Before anyone asks, I own my own home and don't have a mortgage. I cleared that years ago. If I can't afford to pay for something in full, I simply don't buy it.
It might do a few more people to follow that advice.

tin foil hat by photonic · 2014-04-29 21:47 · Score: 4, Funny

Since having this nightmare, I've exported my phone's VCF file to an online repo, made online notes of all my bank account numbers and passport ID, I keep ICE numbers with me at all times (separate from phone/wallet), and I've hidden a spare mobile phone and house key in a box in a nearby field. But there must be more to do!

I think the only thing left to do is buying loads of a aluminium foil.

--
karma police: arrest this man, he talks in maths; he buzzes like a fridge, he's like a detuned radio. [radiohead]

I'll just leave this here..... by pslytely+psycho · 2014-04-29 21:50 · Score: 1

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=paranoid&FORM=VIRE3#view=detail&mid=97EE3F3AAA55F2E7A8BC97EE3F3AAA55F2E7A8BC

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Donald Trump, on a crusade to make Nixon look respectable

Re:Have you ever heard the phrase "off-site backup by Chrisq · 2014-04-29 21:56 · Score: 1

If it had been my house, it would have destroyed all my paperwork that proves who I am.

There's this marvelous service called a safe deposit box that banks offer...

But what if a comet hits the bank? Dear God, is there no where on Earth that is safe? Can you charter a service to put a spare house key on Mars?

What if a comet hits the whole USA when you are abroad, then your hotel burns down when you are at the swimming pool. That could make proving who you are really difficult

Scan everything by Sockatume · 2014-04-29 21:57 · Score: 3, Interesting

Quite aside from your important personal documents, it's good practice to keep scanned copies of every bit of potentially-useful correspondence, and throw them in a Dropbox. The sizes aren't huge even for passable quality. If you have - or have access to - a good sheet-feed scanner, it's not even a particularly arduous process. These days I have a rolling two-year buffer of things like utility bills; each month the new one goes through the scanner, and the oldest one goes through the shredder.

Well, when I can be bothered, but you know what I'm getting at.

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No kidding!!! What do you say at this point?

Re:Scan everything by cdrudge · 2014-04-30 00:44 · Score: 1

Quite aside from your important personal documents, it's good practice to keep scanned copies of every bit of potentially-useful correspondence, and throw them in a Dropbox.
This way, when (not if) your account get compromised the identity thief doesn't have to really dig through your life to get everything he needs. It's all in one place.
Re:Scan everything by Sockatume · 2014-04-30 01:33 · Score: 1

Maybe it's just as well that I keep forgetting to actually update that thing.

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No kidding!!! What do you say at this point?

Re:um... by JWSmythe · 2014-04-29 21:59 · Score: 3, Informative

Well, I know the DMV in Florida keeps them. A little while back, I asked what my file looked like. It was a slow day, so they turned the monitor so I could see it. They had every drivers license photo I've had since the 80s.

I thought the passport office asked for two. It's been a long time. travel.state.gov says one photo now. I guess they figured out how to scan them finally. :)

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Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.

Re:Have you ever heard the phrase "off-site backup by fgb · 2014-04-29 22:04 · Score: 1

But what if a comet hits the bank? ...

I believe that's called an "Extinction Level Event". I wouldn't worry about IDs after that...

Seek professional help by Anonymous Coward · 2014-04-29 22:05 · Score: 1

You worry too much. Seek professional help. And by "professional help" I don't mean "computer expert".

Lastpass by lemur3 · 2014-04-29 22:13 · Score: 2

While it's not the best idea to keep all your eggs in one basket, Lastpass (a firefox, chrome, opera addon, plus a standalone app) is an OK way to store this kind of data.

It is all encrypted/decrypted locally .and then uploaded to the DREADED cloud! ...the lastpass folks never have access to your data.. so theres nothing to 'steal'..

While primarily a place to keep your passwords it does have a handy feature for what they call Secure Notes, with premade forms to filling out all of your personal private info, allowing pictures/scans to be added.

and... while that might be creepy for uploading to Facebook..... with lastpass they cannot decrypt the data, because they dont have your password and cant change it if you 'forgot' it..... because it was all encrypted before even being sent to them...including your password..

then you export a copy of the encrypted database, upload it all over the place in various email accounts, put it in safe deposit boxes on DVDs and flash drives..all stored with a copy of the standalone app that will show you the data, so even if the internet explodes too, youll be good to go!

hollywood by Anonymous Coward · 2014-04-29 22:21 · Score: 1

Is this a treatment for a new cheesey TV pilot?

Re:hollywood by nitehawk214 · 2014-04-30 04:23 · Score: 1

Or a 90's movie starring Sandra Bullock.

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I'm a good cook. I'm a fantastic eater. - Steven Brust

Commit a crime by CeasedCaring · 2014-04-29 22:27 · Score: 1

The police will then be able to ID you at all times via fingerprint, DNA & facial recognition.

Not to worry... by NoKaOi · 2014-04-29 22:33 · Score: 3, Funny

Facebook and the NSA know what you look like, and Google can identify you by your browsing habits.

Re:Not to worry... by greg1104 · 2014-04-30 11:29 · Score: 1

All this guy needs to do is upload a new picture of himself to Facebook, and it will prove his identity to everyone when it asks "would you like to tag X?"

For insurance purposes, take pictures by sandytaru · 2014-04-29 22:46 · Score: 1

This is especially important if your homeowner's insurance covers the contents (which it ought to.) Take digital pictures of anything major of value you will need replaced. Appliances, television, computers, furniture, rare musical instruments, etc. Then store them online someplace. That way, when you go to file an insurance claim, you have evidence to back up the dollar value of the things you will need to fully rebuild. Otherwise they're just gonna cut you a check for a couple thousand in addition to the tax value of your house.

--
Occasionally living proof of the Ballmer peak.

The lottery winner problem by jeffasselin · 2014-04-29 22:47 · Score: 2

Planning for such an event is like planning for winning the lottery: it is almost certain will win the lottery, and it's almost certain it won't be you.

Likewise, such catastrophic events happen to someone sometimes, but you don't have to worry about it happening to you. Really. Stop worrying so much.

If you live in a tornado-targeted area, you should prepare for a tornado to hit your house.

If you live in a flood area, prepare for a flood.

It's all about statistics and the Bernoulli equation: examine the chance of something happening and the effect it could have on your life, and prepare for the events that pose a significant danger.

--
If he explores all forms and substances Straight homeward to their symbol-essences; He shall not die.

Safe by Jon+Peterson · 2014-04-29 22:53 · Score: 5, Insightful

An inexpensive fire-proof and waterproof safe will survive a gas explosion just fine.

But you are overestimating the importance of identity documents. A few sworn statements will have you up and running again in no time.

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----- .sig: file not found

Re:Safe by Macman408 · 2014-04-30 05:30 · Score: 1

Yeah, this seems true to me too. Not too long ago, I bought a house, which involved faxing a wire request to my bank (in a different state). To prove my identity, they called the number I put on the form, and asked me a series of 10 security questions; I didn't have to give a driver's license or other documentation of my identity.
Honestly, I was a little surprised by how much the bank knew about me.
Similarly, when I needed my birth certificate to get a wedding license, they would have accepted a number of other documents (which are easier to replace) in lieu of a driver's license - like a paycheck and a utility bill.

Re:If you owe money to someone.. by RabidReindeer · 2014-04-29 22:53 · Score: 3, Insightful

Really? do you honestly believe that everyone on this planet owes someone or some company money?

You really need to get out of your mom's basement from time to time.

Personally, I owe no one any money. sure I have Credit Cards but I clear the bill before the statement is issued, otherwise I owe no one anything.
Before anyone asks, I own my own home and don't have a mortgage. I cleared that years ago. If I can't afford to pay for something in full, I simply don't buy it.
It might do a few more people to follow that advice.

You also have a crap credit score, if that's true.

I'm generally not "in debt" by most people's standards - even pay cash on a new roof, but every few years I'll buy something financed or run a balance or something that keeps my score up.

Because life isn't predictable and some day having a good credit rating may make the difference between being able to maintain my lifestyle and property over a period of interrupted income or losing things I'd rather keep. Or at least paying lower interest while I'm recovering.

Are you taking the mickey out of us... by Flytrap · 2014-04-29 22:55 · Score: 1

"...and I've hidden a spare mobile phone and house key in a box in a nearby field."

Is this for real or is this just for laughs... Are you really expecting such a massive catastrophe that none of your neighbours would have a phone... not even a passer-by... not even a fireman attending to the catastrophe!? Given the scenario you have just described... what would you use the hidden key for... "the smoldering (sic) lock" lying in a pile of ash?

I obsess over old family photographs that are yet to be digitised, certificates, awards, children's memorabilia, etc.... basically stuff that no amount of money or insurance could ever replace. Things like passports, identity documents, some data backups with bank and insurance details, etc. are in a fire proof safe... but I still do not have a solution for those bulky irreplaceable items.

You couldn't hide even if you wanted to. by geekmux · 2014-04-29 23:34 · Score: 1

The scenario in which you describe is at a level of improbability equal to the chances of every system monitoring you also forgetting who you are.

In other words, calm down, because they'll open a Dairy Queen in Hades before that ever happens.

Photocopies in safe deposit box by Culture20 · 2014-04-29 23:42 · Score: 1

Keep the photocopies in a sealed envelope so you know if someone has tampered with them ( if you're paranoid). If you're really paranoid, scan them and encrypt the files, store the files on three types of media (flash, optical, paper print out of the bytes) in your safe deposit box. If you're less paranoid, keep the originals at the bank. Presumably, you only need them when you have advanced notice and very rarely. The bank will have better fire/explosion mitigation.

Re:Have you ever heard the phrase "off-site backup by msauve · 2014-04-29 23:45 · Score: 4, Insightful

There's this marvelous service called a safe deposit box that banks offer...

Your bank lets people into safe deposit boxes without showing any ID?

--
"National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law

Re:His key WOULD fit the 'smouldering lock' by Andrewkov · 2014-04-29 23:45 · Score: 1

I'm more concerned that he thinks ownership of a house is proven with a key.

Re:Have you ever heard the phrase "off-site backup by Richard_at_work · 2014-04-29 23:46 · Score: 1

Have you tried getting a safe deposit box these days? Not sure about the US, but in the UK its near to impossible - banks are dumping the business as fast as they can.

Far more to backup by gsslay · 2014-04-29 23:47 · Score: 1

You have forgotten to back up your DNA. What if you lose your arm physical data? Best put some spit and nail clippings in that box in the field.

Unfortunately, your DNA backup cannot store your memories. So you should upload your entire mind-state to the cloud, just in case of brain hardware failure. A spreadsheet on Office 365 would be the most convenient way of doing this.

Re:um... by rioki · 2014-04-29 23:48 · Score: 1

I had an odd similar situation. I live in Karlsruhe Germany and help move my girlfriend, now wife move from Berlin to my place. So we rented a transporter, the requirements where a valid ID and drivers license with at least 2 years driving experience. At the time I was 19 and had a Texas drivers license since around 16, the the experience qualified, but I also had a European (French) drivers license since 18. (Yes, it's complicated.) So I came to them with with my German ID and my two drivers licenses. The one documenting that I had the required experience, the other on which I would actually be driving. But the bozos at rental company said, we can only accept the US license if you can show us your US passport as ID. Guess what, my passport was 800 km away in Karlsruhe. We got them to accept the situation, if I could provide some official paper that would document I was an US citizen. (They probably though it would not work out.) So we went to the US Services in the US consulate and of course they could produce my file with picture. After some probing about when and where I got my passport and some other random questions the issued my the letter and it worked out. In addition that was on a Saturday where they are normally closed, so thank you again!

Basically all your documents are on file with the issuing government agency. Likewise I had my birth certificate reissued, all it took me was filling out a form and a couple stamps on a return envelope.

Re:If you owe money to someone.. by rioki · 2014-04-29 23:53 · Score: 1

How does not being in debt make you have a low credit score. As far as I know, missing on payments means you get a lower credit score, likewise raking up large amounts of dept lower the score. But actually paying your bills on time or before that, why should that give you a low score. It sounds like you go into debt on purpose to "keep your score up". That sound like en expensive undertaking.

Re:Have you ever heard the phrase "off-site backup by rioki · 2014-04-30 00:01 · Score: 1

The ID is really easy, like I posted somewhere else you need about two other people with IDs to swear that you are the person that you claim to be and you get your ID reissued. The other bit of the puzzle is the key. Each safe deposit box I know works with the two key system. You need two keys to open the box, one the bank has, the other you have. The result is that even with your ID, but no key you are out of luck.

Even though the deposit box does not help you with your ID, it helps mitigate the risk for other documents. Especially if they are things like contracts where people owe you money. (The other way around is no big deal, they will gladly hand you a new copy of the contract.)

Re:Big Brother helps you here for real. by vpness · 2014-04-30 00:01 · Score: 1

how did this get modded insightful. MAYBE funny ....

Well by koan · 2014-04-30 00:05 · Score: 2

Safe deposit box or storage facility, copy of your passport, birth certificate and other data.

I keep a small water tight aluminium box with my passport, other records, several thousand in cash, some 1/10 ounce gold coins, a pocket pistol and a joint secure and ready to go.

You just never know.

--
"If any question why we died, Tell them because our fathers lied."

Re:Well by koan · 2014-04-30 00:08 · Score: 1

Photocopy

--
"If any question why we died, Tell them because our fathers lied."

Safety Deposit Box by grub · 2014-04-30 00:09 · Score: 1

Some banks, like my own (TD Canada Trust), offer one for free if you keep a minimum balance in an account. That is where all our original documents go.

--
Trolling is a art,

Yes, that is reasonable advice by Wdi · 2014-04-30 00:20 · Score: 1

Any safe worth its money cannot be harmed by a simple gas explosion in the surrounding house, tornado, car crashing though the walls, etc. and if you have one or two hours of fire protection, that also covers the vast majority of house fires.

Re:Yes, that is reasonable advice by Zeromous · 2014-04-30 01:59 · Score: 1

This is simply not true at all. Even the best fireproof (read: not resistant) contents will be damaged a subjected to heat (ID, electronics, plastic money) and are subject to water damage (there is no perfect seal). A gas explosion maybe, a fire of any length puts those documents at risk, as does the rescue effort (water).
Source: lead for tape/document storage and disaster recovery for several years, once upon a time.

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---Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A START
Re:Yes, that is reasonable advice by Zeromous · 2014-04-30 05:25 · Score: 1

Actually "Fireproof" is 2 hours at 2000C. Fire resistant is a shitty safe you buy at costco.
It is not waterproof. Nor is it heat proof.
I know what I'm talking about. And yes, it is a concern we do risk analysis on, even in a concrete multistory building.

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---Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A START
Re:Yes, that is reasonable advice by Zeromous · 2014-04-30 09:01 · Score: 1

Well we do consider it a reasonable threshold just completely ineffectual. In fact, you gathered that it's pretty pointless to invest in a fireproof safe for media, or documents. We gathered that at 1500C is it going to last 3 hours or 5? or still just over 2h? What exactly does the safe guarantee? Has anyone actually proven the 2h@2000C rating (no)?. Also we had transformers and PDUs in the room, which burn long and hot. Particularly nasty fires they are. Fireproof safes are essentially the same as other metal safes, but they are insulated, and barely sealed. They also have double doors, to hopefully mitigate heat damage.
We also found that say firefighters were hosing down our data center, could we reasonably expect our tapes to be undamaged? how about in the -40 cold + water? Basically it was a huge waste of money to buy a safe and reinforce the floor to hold it all. Once the guy who bought it left, we focused on duplication and getting our data offsite ASAP.
Places like Iron Mountain have had fires (lost data in one of those), they do not store documents in a safe. more like a secured warehouse with a sprinkler. In any event The best protection against loss is duplication and distribution of data.
So, to answer your question directly. What are the chances of losing documents in a 1500C for 1 hour? From smoke, marginal, depends on the seals of the safe and how smoky the fire is. From water, pretty good. From fire, it's a crapshoot. From heat, 2000C for 2h.

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Re:Yes, that is reasonable advice by Zeromous · 2014-05-06 03:42 · Score: 1

This is all very interesting, thanks. I can confirm most of what you are saying, I just didn't feel qualified to share that aspect as I only analyzed the risk, not the source of my data. I definitely agree whatever inside should be water resistant containers, but these are often themselves plastic which can be problematic in a fireproof safe- It's also interesting to note, that the combustion point of paper is much higher than say, the melting point of magnetic media or the plastics that surround and/or contain them.

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---Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A START

Chicken or the egg. by leuk_he · 2014-04-30 00:21 · Score: 1

What i have actually know of was the chicken or the egg problem. To get access to their bank account (after a robbery) people needed ID. But to get a new (emergency) ID, the town hall needed money to pay for that. Normally you would know someone to lent the money from, but this person did not have a very good reputation with paying people back.

I myself keep a (medium quality) copy of my drivers license in my car. If i ever get pulled over and forgot my paper i might get of with a warning if i can show the copy.

The value of friends and family is important in such cases.

Re:Chicken or the egg. by cdrudge · 2014-04-30 00:54 · Score: 1

To get access to their bank account (after a robbery) people needed ID.
I go to my bank (or in my case, credit union), give them my account number and account password, they compare me to my picture they have on file, and if need be my signature to my signature also on file. No ID normally necessary. A police report also would provide additional evidence of my identity or at least enough to withdrawn a token amount of money that would pay for an ID.

Re:Have you ever heard the phrase "off-site backup by Threni · 2014-04-30 00:24 · Score: 4, Funny

Ah - but I keep my ID in a second safe deposit box!

The answer hasn't changed since the 1970s by dbIII · 2014-04-30 00:27 · Score: 1

Tape stored offsite. Too expensive? Then something not as good so long as you have multiple copies and format shift every couple of years (with tape you need to format shift around the decade mark or sooner). Hard drives are not designed to last a long time unpowered so you may need to spin them up every year or two - polished surfaces diffuse together over time. The lubricant in drive bearings also has a limited life in comparison to tape (where it doesn't need to deal with high speeds at all). Optical has had problems so multiple copies and not expecting a long life are the way to use that.

Re:Have you ever heard the phrase "off-site backup by Lumpy · 2014-04-30 00:34 · Score: 1

Or a real fire safe. I have one, 16 hour DATA rated which is higher than needed for paper. it's also waterproof, but I dont know if that waterproofing is still intact after 16 hours in a fire, so all the documents are in sealed TyVEK envelopes just in case.

--
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.

Re:Have you ever heard the phrase "off-site backup by Lumpy · 2014-04-30 00:34 · Score: 1

If that happens, it's an opportunity to start life as a international Spy....

--
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.

Re:If you owe money to someone.. by pla · 2014-04-30 00:40 · Score: 1

How does not being in debt make you have a low credit score.

It doesn't. Most people have no clue how that works (and most people have crap credit scores to prove it).

If you have never taken on any debt that you paid off more-or-less on time and never had an electric/cell/cable bill then yes, you will have a crap credit rating. If you have a mountain of debt repeatedly past due then yes, you will have a crap credit rating. But even just having a single credit card that you use for nothing but buying gas and pay in full every month will give you a pretty decent credit rating. Combine that with a modest car loan once a decade, a student loan you didn't ignore for 20 years, and a few utilities that actually report on you (many actually don't, oddly enough), and you can get into the upper 700s without ever taking on any "real" debt.

I fit pretty much exactly that situation when I bought my first home, and with the exception of a small student loan, had never owed more than I could pay off immediately; and even at the peak of the housing crash, I had banks begging me to take a mortgage in the ballpark of half a percent below (with no points) the market average.

Subby is talking about general personal DR by jafiwam · 2014-04-30 00:44 · Score: 1

DR in this case, is "Disaster Recovery".

Look up the various tomes and processes for businesses and do the same things for yourself (minus the stupid certifications and $200K transferred to some consultant's hands) or find something specifically tailored for that

This blog web site was written by a guy that had to move his family during hurricane Katrina, and it has all sorts of processes and things to do to recover in that situation. It's old now, but you can add a modern twist. (I'd recommend an encrypted hard drive at a friend or relative's place as a backup.)

Here is the link: http://www.theplacewithnoname....

Warning: Disaster Recovery is a lot of dumb, boring, bullshit work that you have to keep coming back to re-do, that's why people don't do it. Not because it's not useful.

Re:Have you ever heard the phrase "off-site backup by rossdee · 2014-04-30 00:46 · Score: 1

But what if a comet hits the bank? ...

I believe that's called an "Extinction Level Event". I wouldn't worry about IDs after that...

Tunguska wasn't an extinction level event. Of course if it had happened above your local bank, you would probably be vaporised as well, and not worried about your ID

Is the Air Force selling any more of their missile silos?

Re:Have you ever heard the phrase "off-site backup by pla · 2014-04-30 00:54 · Score: 1

There's this marvelous service called a safe deposit box that banks offer...

Or your parents/kids/trusted friend's house, for alternatives that don't cost a monthly fee. Plenty of offsite options.

I honestly don't quite understand the problem from TFS - You can get duplicate social security cards and birth certificates trivially; I have about a dozen photo IDs from over the years, some on the older side but barring a facially-disfiguring disaster, I still look sufficiently like "me".

Keep a duplicate SS and BC, your passport (when not in use) or an old license/work/student ID, and (if you can afford it) a few hundred in cash at Mom's house. Done. You have a "backup" of everything you need to live the two weeks it takes to get all the regular contents of your wallet reissued.

you were out of the country by way2trivial · 2014-04-30 00:54 · Score: 1

and 800km away from your passport?

that potential bad experience is all on you man...

I've been through europe,
spent 2 month chunks staying with family there

I was never more than a 5 minute walk from my passport....

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every day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random

Re:you were out of the country by rioki · 2014-05-04 23:21 · Score: 1

I have a German ID and EU drivers license with me all the time. Being German (as well as US-Citizen), the police don't care a shit about my US passport the moment they realize I am German. It actually is felony to identify myself with my US passport in the EU; likewise it is a felony to immigrate on my German passport into the US. So no, I do not need to be close to my passport, since as long as I am in the EU it almost meaningless.

Your thumbprint should help by davidwr · 2014-04-30 00:56 · Score: 1

Your thumbprint and face should be enough to get your Drivers License or state-issued photo-ID replaced.

If you've opened a non-online bank account in the USA in the last few years, your thumbprint is probably on file.

It won't be fast but within a few days you should be able to start reconstructing your life.

Also, if you are in a state where the cops can pull up your drivers license photo in their car, AND if you still look like your photograph, you should be able to prove yourself to their satisfaction on-the-spot. Especially if the car you are driving when you arrive at your smoldering former house is registered to you.

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Knowledge is how to play a game, intelligence is how to win, wisdom is knowing what game to play.

Photographs stored offsite by davidwr · 2014-04-30 00:58 · Score: 1

Photographs or copies of the front and back of all critical documents and of at least one "monthly statement" of every company you do business with can be kept off-site.

Be careful doing this with your phone though: If you do, dump the photos off of your phone then fill up your phone's memory with something else. Otherwise, if your phone gets stolen someone who has the desire and know-how can "undelete" the phone's memory and, well, that won't be fun.

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Knowledge is how to play a game, intelligence is how to win, wisdom is knowing what game to play.

They are called Franklin or Day Planners by Grey+Geezer · 2014-04-30 01:08 · Score: 1

Franklin Covey used to recommend that you never leave home without it. Plus those quotes of the day are just precious...I will no longer recommend the FC version of the planner though, after they reneged on a "money back if not satisfied" promise. They proved to me that their company is without honor.

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The USA is only 4X older than me...perspective

Re:Have you ever heard the phrase "off-site backup by telchine · 2014-04-30 01:10 · Score: 1

There's this marvelous service called a safe deposit box that banks offer...

In the UK at least, banks very rarely offer safety deposit boxes any more:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/busi...

Re:Big Brother helps you here for real. by CRCulver · 2014-04-30 01:11 · Score: 1

I kept reading on, sure that this would end with a Bel-Air, only to be disappointed.

why you dont need to care by ShaneBerg · 2014-04-30 01:12 · Score: 1

If by backup you mean make copies of everything someone needs to copy your identity? sure. Or do what I did and stop caring. When I lost everything I walked into the bank and I said GIVE ME MINE, I answered a few critical questions about my account history and information and I was issued a new card. I walked into the Provincial Service Center and whined a bit and by the end of the day they were mailing me my new drivers license. Your level of paranoia will kill you by the time your 50. Take a breath a slow the $#$% down. /none/ of your papers are worth stressing over.

"But there must be more to do!" by DerekLyons · 2014-04-30 01:28 · Score: 1

"But there must be more to do!"

Yes, seek assistance from a mental health professional before your obsessive/paranoid behavior tips over into full blown illness.

Seriously, hiding something in a field against a one-in-a-billion combination of events - and then posting an Ask Slashdot to see if there's anything more you can do? There's prudent caution, and then there's.... well, you. You've departed the hump in the bell curve of behavior and you're rapidly blowing past the tail of the curve. This doesn't strike me as healthy.

A bit TOO far... by NuAngel · 2014-04-30 01:30 · Score: 1

I know it has been pointed out that the question asker is being overly paranoid, but I just can't help but point something out, beyond that. He is the kind of person that carries ICE numbers on him that aren't in his cell phone or in his wallet. He is the kind of person who clearly wants to plan for every possible scenario. Yet he argues that he might be forgetful and leave his wallet at home, or his phone at the office? Attention to details, man. I haven't done something like that since I was a teenager.

Birth certificate is not a proof of identity by dolmen.fr · 2014-04-30 01:35 · Score: 1

You keep an official copy of your birth certificate in your safety deposit box,..

A birth certificate is not a proof of identity. It is just a proof that someone with that name is born on that date. It doesn't tell that the person holding it is that person. And it is quite easy to get a duplicate birth certificate. In France you can ask for it by mail.

The only way to prove your identity is to bring to the police office two identified (with a document) persons to testimony that you are who you pretend. Of course false testimony is punished by law. This will allow you to get a new id document.

Re:Birth certificate is not a proof of identity by eudaemon · 2014-04-30 02:22 · Score: 1

And yet when I applied for my US passport I had to supply my birth certificate. *shrug* I'm sure the passport office does thorough checks, but getting the birth certificate also required I prove my identity so perhaps they're relying on the idea that you shouldn't have a particular American birth certificate without going through a check of some kind.

Lost wallet by mitcheli · 2014-04-30 01:41 · Score: 1

I had that problem once when I lost my wallet. To get a new drivers license, I needed proof of identity through something with a signature. Needless to say, I didn't have it. So we settled we ended up settling on a gas receipt that was signed. ... Nothing more official than that.

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Select from tblFriends where interesting >= 4;

Physical data? by countach · 2014-04-30 01:43 · Score: 1

Digital vs physical data? What is this odd beast called physical data? Get a Fuji iX500 scanner and you can scan 10 years worth of paperwork in an afternoon. I store it in Devonthink, but if you store it in Evernote its automatically backed up to the cloud. Put all your numbers, passport numbers and critical stuff in 1Password and sync with the cloud. Done!

Not for libertarians by Overzeetop · 2014-04-30 01:46 · Score: 1

*troll mode*

He's a libertarian and a capitalist. There are no such things as friends, only adversaries and customers. The government is presumed to be utterly ineffectual, such that all the data they have on him is inaccessible for his use. His business contacts know him only though electronic communications because he never sees them in person. Why would he? They're just adversaries or customers, neither of which he has any use for personally. The only personal contact he has is for sex, and that's with prostitutes (a fair night's wage for a fair night's work). He's probably already killed his close family and buried them in the land on the back of his Freedom Ranch.

For the rest of us with personal contacts - the teller we see at the bank on a regular basis, the guys we hang out with, family close and far - will easily get us though losing everything. They know who we are, and can vouch for us. The DMV will issue a duplicate license, our Social Security number still exists, and we can order a duplicate birth certificate from our birth state. Even our credit card companies will send us brand new cards in the mail (overnight for no extra cost if you're a good customer) with nothing more than a phone call.

As with anything, you lose your paper documents, old photos, heirlooms - but your identity is really not at risk.

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Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?

Re:Have you ever heard the phrase "off-site backup by rogo78 · 2014-04-30 02:06 · Score: 4, Informative

My bank doesn't require an ID. Just the key, box number, and a signature they compare with what they have on file.

Friendly banks by penguinoid · 2014-04-30 02:13 · Score: 1

All my experience with a friendly bank calling you up to help you, turns out poorly...

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Don't waste your vote! Vote for whoever you want, unless you live in a swing state it won't matter anyways

Re:If you owe money to someone.. by Ozymandias_KoK · 2014-04-30 02:19 · Score: 1

That's not true. I'm actually in the same situation - no mortgage or installment debt for several years now, and a credit card that's paid off monthly (occasionally with vacations I spread a big bill across 2 months) and my credit score last year was something in the high 700s. You needn't run a balance to have good credit history.

Re:Have you ever heard the phrase "off-site backup by Presence2 · 2014-04-30 02:21 · Score: 1

Isn't that the whole point of a numbered account? Simply provide a name or number and a password for full access.

Scan it, encrypt it, cloud it by ajyand · 2014-04-30 02:54 · Score: 1

Scan it, encrypt it, cloud it.

Reference Letter by Demonantis · 2014-04-30 03:15 · Score: 1

When I got my drivers license I didn't have any photo ID. In Ontario there is a vouching system so you use your doctor, dentist, pastor, or other licensed person of notability to confirm your identity. They have to have known you for a period greater than 5 years which is pretty easy with those individuals. I think they risk their professional licensing so the fraud is very low. Hopefully you don't have a party at your house with all the professionals you know and you leave to get more beer when it explodes. Then I have no idea what you would do.

Re:Have you ever heard the phrase "off-site backup by brian.stinar · 2014-04-30 03:18 · Score: 1

My bank allows more than one person to open my safety deposit box, if I tell them who I want to be on the access list. It's a good idea to have people you trust be able to open your safety deposit box.

Honestly, I think this entire post makes me feel a bit sad for the poster. I drink beer with my personal bankers, and the tellers at the bank know my name. If I had no ID for a little while, I'd still be able to do ALL of my banking - online and in person. About all I'd lose would be ATM access if I lost my ATM card, and the bank would probably give me a new one without an ID after I told them my crazy story. I keep my passport at my house, and my driver's license on me usually. Which reminds me, I keep my *expired* passport at my house...

If no one knows who this poster is without his ID, I think that is the problem. The problem isn't that he (doubtful it's a she) needs an offsite backup plan. It's probably that they should be making human connections with people that could be close with them in their life, or at least that their priorities are skewed towards making offsite backup plans. My neighbors could identify me, my business associates could, all my family could, my ex-girlfriends could. If someone horrible happened and I needed help for a few weeks, all of them would help me out (even some of the ex-girlfriends!) Having a social support network is (should be?) way more important than having an offsite backup scheme. However, this is slashdot...

SOXghoti by cstacy · 2014-04-30 03:34 · Score: 1

If your physical data is in the form of "fish", don't destroy it prematurely!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/...

Re:Have you ever heard the phrase "off-site backup by nitehawk214 · 2014-04-30 03:59 · Score: 1

In that case I would keep anything important in my house and just run the risk of it burnining down.

Of course, in the US, all you need to know is someone's bank account number and you can completely empty their account with bad checks. You don't even need to know their name, you can just put any name on it that you DO have a fake ID for and you are good to go.

I would not, under any circumstance, trust a bank to protect your privacy or identity.

--
I'm a good cook. I'm a fantastic eater. - Steven Brust

Re:Have you ever heard the phrase "off-site backup by nitehawk214 · 2014-04-30 04:25 · Score: 1

At first I was going to remark, "What, do you expect your house to flood after it burns down?"

Then I thought about what they put fires out with.

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I'm a good cook. I'm a fantastic eater. - Steven Brust

Re:Have you ever heard the phrase "off-site backup by nitehawk214 · 2014-04-30 04:36 · Score: 1

Considering I live in the same city as my bank, a Tunguska hitting my bank would cause me to go extinct.

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I'm a good cook. I'm a fantastic eater. - Steven Brust

Your gas leak analogy is stupid... by Bartles · 2014-04-30 04:58 · Score: 1

...your papers would not be destroyed, you would have had your id in your wallet on your person. Locks don't smolder, and your key would still fit the lock in the door that got blown out of it's frame.

*More* to do? by spasm · 2014-04-30 05:03 · Score: 1

" But there must be more to do!"

Take your meds and calm down?

Forget the box by Rob+the+Bold · 2014-04-30 05:05 · Score: 1

I'd forget about the box-in-the-field thing. Get the safe deposit box everyone else recommends. Print your important contacts and whatever vital information you might need and keep a copy somewhere off-site. Maybe sealed in an envelope at work, maybe with a nearby relative, friend or trusted neighbor. This could come in handy for many much less serious problems, like you get injured or sick at work or collapse while mowing the lawn. That happens a lot more than exploding houses.

But really, forget the box plan. You're not gonna find it when you need it. Earlier this Spring, the neighbors hired a surveyor to mark their property line before installing a fence. The property line monuments were clearly marked on maps. He had a metal detector to find the iron bar embedded in it, and a shovel to dig for it. I knew exactly where they were, and I was home to help him find them. Even with all that, and knowing the 4 square feet to look in took him hours. Landscapes change quickly from season to season. Last thing you want to be doing after your house-leveling explosion is be digging around in the snow, ice, fallen leaves and frozen ground with your bare hands.

Remember, your exploding house will certainly attract your local emergency services. In the US, states now digitize and save your DL picture, so the cops will be able to ID you with their SCMODS, or whatever they call what they use now. Your local Red Cross or equivalent will make sure you're not sleeping on a bed of twigs trapping squirrels for food with a snare made of your shoelaces. (Note to self, no more loafers.) You'll get your identity papers replaced. You'll get in contact with friends, relatives, your boss and your bank.

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I am not a crackpot.

Re:If you owe money to someone.. by Anonymous Coward · 2014-04-30 06:04 · Score: 1

Some people prefer to take care of themselves and not play the bankster's games like most of the other sheep. It's quite nice to be free and not a serf.

Digital scans in a safe deposit box by AcquaCow · 2014-04-30 06:37 · Score: 1

I have a PDF scan of all important IDs/health cards/etc on a drive in my safe deposit box. It's also where I store my long term email/document archives.

I keep a mirror at home, which is what I update most frequently and any time I go to the bank, I just swap the external home drive with the one in the safe deposit box, go home and rsync the current data to it.

My safe deposit box key lives in a floor safe in my home which should survive even a gas leak explosion/tornado/etc.

-- Dave

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up 12 days, 22:30, 2 users, load averages: 993.20, 994.21, 994.56
*makes note to limit user processes...

Re:If you owe money to someone.. by Algae_94 · 2014-04-30 06:40 · Score: 3, Insightful

Really? do you honestly believe that everyone on this planet owes someone or some company money?

You really need to get out of your mom's basement from time to time.

Personally, I owe no one any money. sure I have Credit Cards but I clear the bill before the statement is issued, otherwise I owe no one anything.
Before anyone asks, I own my own home and don't have a mortgage. I cleared that years ago. If I can't afford to pay for something in full, I simply don't buy it.
It might do a few more people to follow that advice.

You also have a crap credit score, if that's true.

I'm generally not "in debt" by most people's standards - even pay cash on a new roof, but every few years I'll buy something financed or run a balance or something that keeps my score up.

Because life isn't predictable and some day having a good credit rating may make the difference between being able to maintain my lifestyle and property over a period of interrupted income or losing things I'd rather keep. Or at least paying lower interest while I'm recovering.

You absolutely do not need to run a balance periodically to keep a high credit score. The age of your credit is a factor, so just holding those credit cards through the years will help. The current amount of your available credit that you have used is a factor as well. Using more of your available credit is a negative. I assure you that what you are talking about doing is not needed to have a credit rating over 800. No one would consider an 800+ rating to be crap. It is an old wives' tale that you need to be paying finance charges to have good credit. It's just common sense that someone with the discipline to pay off their credit charges every month is a better credit risk than someone that carries a balance and takes months to pay off some charges.

Re:Not how credit ratings work by omnichad · 2014-04-30 06:44 · Score: 1

Having no balances anywhere is also a hit against your credit score.

Re:Yup. by DarwinSurvivor · 2014-04-30 08:19 · Score: 1

My bank actually has my photo on file (they scan your drivers license). If I lose my entire wallet, I can walk in a they'll issue me new cards after a signature verification.

Re:Have you ever heard the phrase "off-site backup by Threni · 2014-04-30 09:15 · Score: 1

How many guesses do you get at the number? I'm not doing much this weekend.

Re:If you owe money to someone.. by Wycliffe · 2014-04-30 10:41 · Score: 1

You also have a crap credit score, if that's true.
I'm generally not "in debt" by most people's standards - even pay cash on a new roof, but every few years I'll buy something financed or run a balance or something that keeps my score up.

Why is this modded "insightful"? It's flat out wrong.
You're wasting your time and money. You don't need to pay interest to get good credit. My credit score is
almost perfect (above 800 out of 850) and I've never carried a balance. I pay the balance in full every month.
This is still recorded on your credit report as carrying a balance even though you never actually pay interest
on the balance. I've actually had this come up on a few occassions when my credit report is pulled and
I'm asked about some balance I supposably have when it's just the amount I spent last month.

Safety Deposit Box by Etriaph · 2014-04-30 11:26 · Score: 1

I've had a safety deposit box for years that I keep sensitive paperwork in, master copies only. On location in my home I recently bought a fire safe with copies in it, see http://www.sentrysafe.com/

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"It's here, but no one wants it." - The Sugar Speaker

Re:Have you ever heard the phrase "off-site backup by lemur3 · 2014-04-30 14:27 · Score: 1

I lost my writin hand in the gas explosion you insensitive clod!

Re:um... by JWSmythe · 2014-04-30 16:24 · Score: 1

Ah.. My passport was old. It had a real photograph on it. I need to get a new one, so I guess it will be a printed one.

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Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.

Don't be a hermit. by DeVilla · 2014-05-01 02:41 · Score: 1

Get to know some people. Maybe your neighbors. In my case, half the people in town seem to know me or my wife. I actually know the Mayor, city council, several police officers, to president of one of the banks, the owners of several shops, a lot of the staff at my kid's school. That's not to brag. It's just that we're known. If I lose my ID, I can easily find dozens of people who can positively ID me. Some would actually even help us out while we're dealing with getting a normal life put back together. It wasn't always that way. Our kids forced us out of anonymity, but it's actually not a bad thing.

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Ask Slashdot: How To Back Up Physical Data?

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