Have I got a deal for you
While sorting through a week's worth of mail yesterday afternoon, I noticed a glut of junk offering me the "Lowest business loan rates on the planet," and "Fastest credit card verification system available." I literally waded through dozens of offers for things I will never use, from solicitors who never bothered me before. And email spam has reached new lows with the same offers, all addressed to my new company name. What gives?
I'll tell you what gives - the State of Florida. Florida's Department of State allows free public access to your mailing address, email address, and company particulars once you register for business purposes. Talk about a license to spam. And it's not like you have any choice in the matter. I registered online and there was no handy box to check that would tell the Florida DOS not to give out my business information. "Then why bother registering, B2? Why not simply work out of your home without a certificate?" you smugly inquire. Hah! Try getting a local occupational license for a business dealing with firearms without a state registration certificate. Better yet, try plying your trade without either document, then see what happens when you get caught.
Actually, I can see where some of these offers might be beneficial to a start-up company, depending of course on the business plan and financial focus. But privacy is a hot-button item with me and I guess I'll never get used to the fact that today, we just don't have any. Unless you assume a new identity, become a squatter in some remote, God-forsaken area, and completely disassociate yourself from all aspects of civilization you have no chance at true privacy. Even after doing all of the above, someday you'll slip up and somebody somewhere will find you and leave you junk mail on a rock beside your lean-to.
Nope. There's no getting around it. From last week forward I will be bombarded by junk mail and even more computer spam until the planet blows up in a blazing fireball. I certainly wish Golden Bob's Loan and Pawn and Eazychek Credit Systems all the best in their business ventures, but please...stay out of my mailbox and my inbox.