Dear Friend,
We enjoy sophisticated safekeeping services provided by banks, building
societies and their counterparts. Our cash and valuables are tucked away
where they are 100% safe. Right? We don't need to resort to concealment
underground or under the mattress to keep our wealth secure. Right?
Wrong on both counts. You're a long way from secure if every last dime you
possess is sat in a bank account.
VISIBLE WEALTH IS VULNERABLE
Despite so-called confidentiality rules, banks often show little regard for
client privacy. In the UK, two journalists from Punch magazine ransacked
garbage bags outside various major bank branches. Their trawl, conducted in
broad daylight, revealed unused cheque books, debit cards which had yet to
expire, bank statements, customer account and contact details, transaction
details - even branch security codes. No attempt to shred documents had been
made.
When any Tom, Dick or Harry can obtain critical data about you and your bank
account (perhaps even a useable chequebook and card) simply by rooting
through garbage on the pavement it suggest that banks have a serious
security problem that requires immediate attention.
The lax security policies of banks are not the only threat to your financial
privacy. It's long been suspected that some bank clerks are actually
unofficial government "moles" placed in banks to pass sensitive customer
information and transactional data back to government paymasters.
Even ordinary bank employees are a threat to your financial privacy. They
are under constant pressure to provide investigators with suspicious
transaction reports. Facing large fines and possible imprisonment if they
miss any suspect activity, bank staff are hedging their bets and hoping to
avoid getting into trouble for not being diligent enough by dragging more
and more innocent transactions - and the account holders they concern -
under the State microscope.
It isn't safe to trust every dime you have to banks. Banks and other
financial institutions are becoming increasingly transparent to State
investigators. Wealth held in a bank is visible wealth - visible to
governments, asset hunters, avaricious litigants and sophisticated crooks.
And if all your wealth is visible - it can all be taken. On the other hand,
a secret stash is invisible. Because it can't be seen it is unlikely to be
targeted or appropriated.
A LIFE RAFT IN ROUGH SEAS
You can't know what might happen tomorrow. You can't predict the future.
However, you can use your imagination to analyse some of the possibilities.
For example, imagine waking up to discover a dictator has claimed power
overnight and nationalised private bank accounts and assets. If you haven't
taken precautions you'd be bankrupt.
Or imagine an anti-wealth coup takes place next week. How easy do you think
it would be to liquidate your assets when a bunch of socialist
revolutionaries have grasped the reins of power? You'd be more likely to
find yourself looking down the barrel of a gun. When you can't get hold of
banked cash, a secret stash means you can still get out fast.
These may seem far-fetched scenarios. But you can't know what may happen
tomorrow.
It isn't only unlikely events you need to protect yourself against. Burglars
are always at work. A determined, professional house burglar will circumvent
the strongest locks, alarms and security devices to get to unprotected
valuables. Dishonest tradesmen, visitors to your home, prowlers and others
will relieve you of wealth given the opportunity. Cash or valuables in
obvious, accessible places - bedside cabinet, wardrobe, dressing table
drawers - present experienced thieves with no problems. Thieves know these
places. Make their lives difficult by overcoming complacency and making a
conscious effort to "hide" valuables rather than simply removing them from
view.
Physical concealment of at least some assets in safe places should form part
of your routine diversification effort. You never know when you might be
glad you took the step of securely 'hiding' a proportion of your wealth.
SUGGESTED STASH POINTS
UNDERGROUND - Bury cash and valuables in your garden. Use a damp-proof
container and wrap all items in heavy-duty, waterproof polythene.
Alternatively, bury valuables in isolated countryside (you have less
control). Be careful not to be seen. Choose a burial site at random. Note:
If professional search investigators look for your stash they will focus
initial attention on areas you are known to frequent. Investigators
searching for ransom money obtained by UK kidnapper, Michael Sams knew he
was an avid train spotter. It took a matter of days for investigators to
pinpoint the approximate £150,000 close to a favourite train spotting site.
If items will be buried for some time, make sure no-one has plans to build
on your stash!
LIGHT SWITCHES - Existing power points and electrical sockets provide
useful, if small hiding places. Remove faceplate to expose interior wiring.
Place small non-metallic - this way you don't risk getting a shock - items
in cavity as appropriate and refit faceplate. Note: Don't use so-called"plug safes". These look exactly like plugs and sockets - but aren't. They
are used to store valuables. Burglars and experienced searchers are aware of
these devices and identify them by plugging in electrical appliances and
testing for power.
BEHIND BRICKS - Bricks in walls or fireplaces can be used to conceal a
hiding place. Loosen brick and remove. Place valuables in cavity and replace
brick. Note: be sure to cement the brick back in. To a professional
investigator a dislodged brick indicates a hiding place. Ensure new cement is consistent with existing in surrounding area to avoid attracting
attention. To lighten cement add more cement powder. To darken add charcoal..
BEHIND STAIRS - Hollows often exist behind stairs. Using basic household
tools remove top panel of an individual stair to reveal useful storage space
for larger items or multiple smaller ones. Replace panel and re-cover with
carpet.
MESSY BUT EFFECTIVE - Wrap jewellery and coins securely in polythene. Drop
into tin of paint or pan of liquid fat - allowing the fat to harden over
package. Place inconspicuously in cluttered garage or tool shed. Thieves and
searchers will not expect valuables to be located in outbuildings.
SHOWER RAIL - My shower rail is hollow and would comfortably house rolled up
bank notes and documents. Many household items - mops, brushes etc have
hollow handles that can be similarly utilised.
POTTED HOUSEPLANTS - Wrap valuables in waterproof polythene and bury in
soil.
BOOKS/MAGAZINES - Holes cut out of the middle of books provide ideal
concealment for smaller items. Envelopes containing cash, documents or
computer disks can be stuck to interior pages of magazines. Place individual
magazine in centre of large pile for added protection.
LIGHTER - Some brands of lighter - such as "Zippo" - have a cavity in the
main body which can be used to conceal precious stones and small items.
DEEP FREEZER - Wrap valuables in aluminium foil and polythene and place in
deep freezer. For added concealment, remove giblets from a frozen chicken
and conceal package in cavity.
Think of your own stash points. Be creative. Don't be obvious. Nothing beats
a unique hide-hole. One mistake to avoid: Don't brag to friends. Keep your
mouth firmly shut. Don't even hint that you have a secret stash. Statements
like "They'll never find my money - it's too well hidden" arouse curiosity
and ultimately attract sharks who want to prove you wrong. Be discreet. If
you think you have good reason to stash valuables, you definitely have good
reason to be discreet.
Hiding cash and other valuables is not illegal. Concealment is a necessary
precaution you must take to protect wealth, valuables and other items you
can't afford to lose.
Source: BROADSIDE - Your Bi-weekly Privacy and
Offshore Bulletin
Website: http://www.freebooter.com
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14th Aug 2003. Vol.3 No.20
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