Bullion & Privacy

cinque1543

There are many online sellers of bullion, such as Kitco, JM Bullion and Bullion Express. If hackers steal data from these firms, the bad guys will have the names and address of individuals who own bullion. To mitigate this risk, do individuals take any steps during the buying process to maintain their privacy?

I guess the same question applies to individuals who purchase expensive coins from online shops.

derryb

Send it to my address.

I take no steps during the buying process to maintain my privacy. Not aware of any possible steps. Please enlighten us.

jmski52

I've not heard of any such instances but it's a question worth considering. Yes, I'd also be interested to know of effective measures to mitigate this risk.

rte592

No steps taken. We All know there is no money to be made selling PM's.
The IRS isn't interested in the money you lose.

tincup

Not a whole lot you can do. Just going to a coin show is risky in that you can be followed home by someone who may have observed your activities.

One thing you can do at home is be careful how you discard any advertisements, publications, receipts, etc. into trash that may have your name and address on them.

psuman08

They would know the names of folks that bought or sold PMs / coins. They don't know if you still own them or where they are. A lot of "What ifs" here. To me, you are overthinking this. Get a safe deposit box if you don't want to store them at home.

derryb

Gov doesn't need to hack to get a list of safe deposit box owners

TwoSides2aCoin

It’s risk on as soon as I dial a number or click a link.

Typekat

I use a post office box for all such shipments. Nobody gets my home address, which is not even where I store the stuff.

MsMorrisine

Use a po box with approved "competitive street addressing" the usps site maintains a list

get one halfway between work and home

do not use mailbox stores

cinque1543

@Typekat said:
I use a post office box for all such shipments. Nobody gets my home address, which is not even where I store the stuff.

Just FYI. I was reading SD Bullion's terms and conditions of sale, and came across this: "Any shipment greater than $10,000 in value going to a PO Box will NOT be insured. Also, insurance on orders going to a PO Box only last until the order is received and signed for by USPS."

This is probably a small risk in exchange for greater privacy. Not sure if other sellers have the same policy.

cinque1543

@MsMorrisine said:
Use a po box with approved "competitive street addressing" the usps site maintains a list

Thank you for the heads-up on this. I checked with my local post office, but they do not offer what the USPS calls "Premium PO Box Service Street Addressing". If I decide to go down that route, I guess I'll have to look further afield.

jmski52

You could always pay by check and pick up the bullion in person, as long as the dealer accepts your check and as long as the check doesn't include your home address.

MsMorrisine

@cinque1543 said:

Thank you for the heads-up on this. I checked with my local post office, but they do not offer what the USPS calls "Premium PO Box Service Street Addressing". If I decide to go down that route, I guess I'll have to look further afield.

you don't want a home town box. if you can get one try outside the town

asheland

Personally, I wouldn’t be too worried about any of that.

blitzdude

@asheland said:
Personally, I wouldn’t be too worried about any of that.

Agreed, paranoia will destroy ya. RGDS!

asheland

Long ago, I did worry about such things, but just overtime I realized most people aren’t too worried about what I’ve got…

If the government were to track me and follow my spending habits, they would get bored really quick.