Comments on: Questions: RFID chips, moving retirement funds, offshore businesses, Panamanian citizenship

By: irish pension funds

irish pension funds — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Thank you Simon. Nice written and great read, thanks again.
If I move there and develop internet based businesses, do you foresee special risks, or do you refer to brick and mortar businesses with employees?

By: irish pension funds

irish pension funds — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:55:00 +0000

A fund established by an employer to facilitate and organize the
investment of employees’ retirement funds contributed by the employer
and employees. The pension fund is a common asset pool meant to generate
stable growth over the long term, and provide pensions for employees
when they reach the end of their working years and commence retirement.

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 03:19:12 +0000

Simon,
Do you have information about the teak wood reforestation citizenship route? I have been informed it is the easiest and quickest means to achieve Panamanian citizenship today.

By: Forrest Hawkins

Forrest Hawkins — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 16:55:28 +0000

On 3/19 you said:
“In the Western hemisphere, a lot of people tend to look into Panamanian structures. For a passive holding company, this might make sense… but for an operating business, I would stay away from Panama because it’s not a common law country.”
But this comes after you mentioned several business opportunities you see in Panama. So, are there opportunities, but you suggest we not pursue them because of the legal structure? If I move there and develop internet based businesses, do you foresee special risks, or do you refer to brick and mortar businesses with employees? Thanks

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:43:01 +0000

A Faraday Cage is what we’re talking about. You can see for example wikipedia.org for the full description.
The principle is that a closed metal container blocks all radio waves (for example a metal can with airtight lid.) The antenna of whatever you place inside the “cage” must not touch any part of the cage.
A mesh can also work however this depends on frequency used and size of the openings in the mesh.
Easy way to test this is to take a cellphone, turn it on, wrap it inside something that will prevent its antenna from touching the cage (such as a sock?) then wrap it in aluminum foil, folding over the edges so the package is pretty much airtight. Then call your cell phone number from a landline, if you’ve done everything correctly the phone will be out of range and will not ring, but the call will go to voicemail.
Commercial RFID pouches work as long as the opening in the pouch is closed well (folding over once or twice is often enough.
Aluminum foil also works.
Problem is, there are situations where you are required to remove the PP from the pouch (immigration, hotel checkin desk) and that is where someone intent on skimming data is most likely to be doing so.

By: Rex

Rex — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:56:45 +0000

Everett,
You have to obtain a RFID Reader. If you pay for the reader you might as well buy a READER/WRITER. MAke sure you get a list of the frequency that the RFID reader/writer operates at. These units are good for creating mis-information because you can write false data to the chip (NOT YOUR PASSPORT!!!!) and carry some false info on the chip(s) in your wallet, so when someone scans you then they will see all the false data.
I know this is way above what most people would even dream of doing (Laughing) but it is fun. I am too much of a tech head though. I have writtent he following statement to some RFID chips “YOU ARE BEING WATCHED!”
:-)

By: Everett

Everett — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 18:21:16 +0000

Simon or Anyone,

How does one test a RFID passport in a sheath or wallet to determine it it can not be read a foot or so away for the passport??

By: Rex

Rex — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:15:19 +0000

On the RFID chip passport thing, Aluminum does not work from what I have read, TIN FOIL does. TIN FOIL is hard to find these days though. Have not tried any of the wallets, although they would look better than some tin foil (Laughing).
If you repeatedly hit the chip with a hammer, it will destroy the chip and make it look like you did not do anything to it intentionally. Just make sure to put a layer of cloth over the chip location to protect the passport. Putting the passport in the microwave for 7 seconds to FRY the chip has also been done. In conclusion, these passports have been read from up to 70 feet away and I am sure that it is stronger now.

By: doug

doug — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 05:10:33 +0000

@barky: I had posted a link above to a place that has the sleeves and wallets as an example, but I have no experience dealing with that store. I saw the site you mention also when doing my research. They seem to have a very good selection. I am glad to hear you had a good experience as I am thinking of buying mine from this source.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:11:42 +0000

Simon,

thank you for the invaluable info you provide in your writings. I’m a former Soviet citizen who emigrated to the US twenty years ago. So happy then and so frustrated now. America that I met in 1990 has gone away being substituted by the entity, first vagely, but more and more clearly shaping in something already reminding me the country where I was born and raised.
My old country is catching up to me…
Anyways, some questions…
Are you aware of countries other than Italy that have signed the bilateral treaty with Panama granting there a residency?
Also, do you have an update on the sustainable community in Panama?
I’m, for one, is very interested.

By: Libero

Libero — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 06:14:03 +0000

Thank you Simon.
Well, PA residency is still better than nothing I suppose. I gather then, in the above particular scenario, one would be okay legally in staying however long they wanted?
Also, can’t find the article/s you referenced in regards to seeking southern cone areas. Does for example Arg offer any similar type clause or treaty with IT?

By: barky

barky — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:42:51 +0000

I bought a wallet and passport holder that block rfid transmission here a couple of years ago. both are leather, well-made and look nice. i do not remember the cost but it was not a lot. http://www.difrwear.com/

By: Jai

Jai — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:04:49 +0000

I have a RFID-blocker passport cover made by Travelon. Found it on overstock.com! Not expensive. Plain black leather, nice quality but not expensive/flashy/luxury category. It comes in a reddish textured thingy, too, but I thought it was too flashy & prefer very low-key yet good quality. Holds driver’s license/credit cards.

As for incorporation, my question runs to CHEAP & hassle-free. In the best of all possible worlds, it would cost little to set up, nothing to maintain, no taxes, no audits, no paperwork. Just don’t add to my costs or my workload – I’m busy trying to build my biz, and sorely disinclined to deal with govt paperwork & money-grubbing! So how close to no-cost, no-hassle can someone come for a little operating company & where?

By: Quantella Owens

Quantella Owens — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:36:17 +0000

Sorry…left out the most important detail. Price: $10.00

By: Quantella Owens

Quantella Owens — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:35:15 +0000

Dear Simon,

RE: RfID Blocking Sheets.

This was in my latest issue Of the American Science & Surplus catalog. They have great deals on all sorts of scientific knickknacks. The item is #93390 and it is called the “EMvelope”. The description reads as follows:”it is an 8-3/8″ x 3-1/2 x .012″ thick trimable elecromagnetic sheet (think Farraday cage with floating ground) that blocks RF up to 2.4 GHz. Cut it to size and slip it in your wallet, or whatever, and it protects the data on your credit cards, ID cards, E-Z Pass, or anything else with an embedded RFID chip, including the new US Passport.”

Hope this Helps.

By: Joseph

Joseph — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:55:19 +0000

RFID chips can easily be blocked by almost any metal. A layer or two of aluminum foil should do the trick. You may still want to invest in a specialized wallet sometime, but this is a good quick fix.

By: Blair

Blair — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:09:45 +0000

Simon, now that you’re off to Hong Kong, I look forward to future postings on incorporating and obtaining residency in that great city.

By: doug

doug — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:50:34 +0000

I just recently obtained my U.S. passport and the first thing front and center when I opened the package was the fact that both the passport and passport card have RFID embedded. To say the least, I was not happy about that, but such is life in this big brother world.

There was a sleeve with the card that they recommended it be kept in and they said the cover of the passport offered protection when kept closed. I was doing a quick search online and found a number of places that offer wallets and sleeves that block transmission from the RFID. Here is an example (I am not associated with these people so not recommending the product)

http://bit.ly/bGdaqY

There are ton of others out there offering similar products.

By: PS

PS — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:09:33 +0000

I’m planning on buying some of these for RFID chipped cards, drivers licence and passports: http://www.idstronghold.com/