Silk Road forums
Discussion => Security => Topic started by: sweenytoddpies on August 27, 2012, 02:49 am
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I'm extremely concerned with having a high level of anonymity, so this post is coming from that perspective.
Overall, I'd say Bitinstant cash deposits are good for all bitcoin buyers, even those that require high anonymity.
This is what happened:
1) I went to the Bitinstant web site and selected the CVS cash deposit option and the "Bitcoin Address" payment option. After entering the amount I was then redirected to a second web site to select a location. I entered a nearby zip code and found a CVS I could walk to. Bitinstant took a fee out of the bitcoin and the second web site added a fee onto the amount I would pay at the CVS. The total fees were a few dollars
2) I printed out a form from the second web site and took it with me to the CVS. When I got to the CVS and presented the form to a cashier, he directed me to a red Moneygram phone. I picked up the phone and followed the instructions.
3) The automated process on the phone asked me for a phone number, which I declined to give. Then it asked me to enter one of the codes from my form. Then I got redirected to a live person, and had to wait on hold for the person for about 2 minutes. They asked me for a name, I gave a fake name. They asked me for an address, I gave a fake address (the street I gave doesn't even exist). Then they told me to go to the cashier to complete the transaction.
4) When I went to the cashier, he asked me for my name, so I gave the fake name. Then I gave him the money and he gave me a receipt to sign. I signed the fake name and I was outta there!
5) By the time I walked home, I had the bitcoin in my wallet
The only part of this that I think could possibly link me to my identity would be the fake signature. Even though I signed a fake name, hand-writing analysis could still show that it was me who signed it. But this is a really minor concern. At no time was I asked for ID and at no time did I give any information that could be used to trace me.
Hope this helps anyone who's wondering about this process!
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Yeah, but I honestly doubt the store keeps its camera records for long enough that it would end up being used for something like that. Whereas the signature will probably go on file forever
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Thanks. I'm gonna start using this method instead of Dwolla. During the winter you can also wear gloves and extra clothes that'd be hard to detect in a camera. I like that you walked home too. It might be a good idea to park a little far from CVS if you're driving.
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I've had very good experience with Walmart so far. Make sure you accentuate any bad handwriting you may have. No need for id, no need to state what or why, I literally handed over the paper, handed over the case, scribbled in very bad handwriting the personal info, he even misread what I had intended to write as my street name and I just didn't correct him, yea Rice street, that's it, and just read a magazine while he did the transaction. Bitcoins were in the wallet by the time I got home. I agree, there's no need to be paranoid about the camera, it's not illegal to buy bitcoins and that's a lot of ground to cover, the whole US? Just make sure you use TOR for bitinstant.
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I was under the impression that using TOR to access clearnet sites is pointless because your IP can be unmasked if you access clearnet sites on TOR.....
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I was under the impression that using TOR to access clearnet sites is pointless because your IP can be unmasked if you access clearnet sites on TOR.....
No, the only IP address that would be revealed is the IP of the TOR exit node, not your original IP.
You should always use TOR if you want to hide your IP.
https://www.torproject.org/docs/faq.html
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i have a question about this... i understand that i can access bitinstant using my TOR browser (and the fake IP address that comes with it) and set up the transaction using fake name, address, etc, and that's all good and fine, but what about when i want to print out that form? should i save the form from tor to my desktop before sending to my printer? i thought i read somewhere that applications that are accessed from the tor browser but are not part of the tor browser can be linked with my actual IP?
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I personally couldn't do cash deposit on Bitinstant through TOR. The option goes away with TOR. You might want to go to Starbucks. You also don't need to print out anything. Just write down the numbers they give you and their information (San Francisco, CA, ZipZap, Inc. etc.).
Go to WalMart and find the blue form and match the information from the .pdf onto the form. Triple check the numbers. Your info can be fake. No ID.
The lady behind me was also doing a moneygram transfer. They do this all day, so there is no need to be paranoid or anything.
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I'm extremely concerned with having a high level of anonymity, so this post is coming from that perspective.
Overall, I'd say Bitinstant cash deposits are good for all bitcoin buyers, even those that require high anonymity.
This is what happened:
1) I went to the Bitinstant web site and selected the CVS cash deposit option and the "Bitcoin Address" payment option.
[...]
Excellent advice! This is, in all the essential parts, one of the ways I fund my account as well.
The thing I liked the most about your method is that you chose the "Bitcoin Address" payment option. So many people choose payment options like Coinapult and I just can't figure out why they are complicating things.
I like making a temporary account at blockchain.info and using their anonymous forwarder. In my experience it is one of the better mixing services out there.
Anyway, thanks for the informative post! (Someone PM me and tell me how I can give karma...)
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I personally couldn't do cash deposit on Bitinstant through TOR. The option goes away with TOR. You might want to go to Starbucks. You also don't need to print out anything. Just write down the numbers they give you and their information (San Francisco, CA, ZipZap, Inc. etc.).
Go to WalMart and find the blue form and match the information from the .pdf onto the form. Triple check the numbers. Your info can be fake. No ID.
The lady behind me was also doing a moneygram transfer. They do this all day, so there is no need to be paranoid or anything.
awesome. 8) yeah, the only part of this i was worried about was my actual IP being revealed when i went to print out the form, but seeing as how i don't *actually* need the printout, i'm excited about this. i don't normally buy much more than $100-150 in btc, and moneypak vendors are bitches about small MPs lol. i think i saw one vendor who charges something like $15+20%flat fee for <$100 MP (=$65 in btc). that's BS :P
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Yeah, I wouldn't say it's exactly proof that you bought (legal) bitcoins if your IP is traced. Anyone can go through that Bitinstant process with a few clicks just to "test" the website and not actually go through with the transaction. My first time failed, so I never actually got any coins and yet I went through the process on the website.
Fuck Moneypack. It's too easy to get scammed and the fees are ridiculous. You should only use that if you have no other options.
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yeah i've only bought btc's a few times, but most were with MPs. i've never been charged more than 10% fees (with a LOT of shopping around and messaging folks with listings up), but that's still over twice the fees of bitinstant and way less hassle and shopping around. i deposited into a bank once, too, using BTCMaster, i believe, and that was quick and painless as well, but still, 10% markup.
OFF TOPIC: you must have coin at the ready for 3jane, eh Absurd?! lucky mofo! i, again, won't have the coin to purchase a full 1/4 sheet, but it's super nice to see she's capped a purchase limit of 1 sheet per customer so more of us can get some of that good good.
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yeah i've only bought btc's a few times, but most were with MPs. i've never been charged more than 10% fees (with a LOT of shopping around and messaging folks with listings up), but that's still over twice the fees of bitinstant and way less hassle and shopping around. i deposited into a bank once, too, using BTCMaster, i believe, and that was quick and painless as well, but still, 10% markup.
OFF TOPIC: you must have coin at the ready for 3jane, eh Absurd?! lucky mofo! i, again, won't have the coin to purchase a full 1/4 sheet, but it's super nice to see she's capped a purchase limit of 1 sheet per customer so more of us can get some of that good good.
I guess MP isn't too bad, but I've seen too many people get scammed.
Haha yes exactly. I need me some legit LSD!! NBOMe's are nice but I don't want to do them too often. Yeah that's really nice of her. I'm sure she'll have bulk sales in the future for those who want to sell. I'm stoked. I haven't had legit acid since Mitanox was around.
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yeah, NBOMe's just *feel* unsafe. i'm reselling them in my area, but i really want to just have the good stuff on hand. no one knows how safe/unsafe the RCs are for people in the long run.
ACID < 3333333
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I'm extremely concerned with having a high level of anonymity, so this post is coming from that perspective.
Overall, I'd say Bitinstant cash deposits are good for all bitcoin buyers, even those that require high anonymity.
This is what happened:
1) I went to the Bitinstant web site and selected the CVS cash deposit option and the "Bitcoin Address" payment option. After entering the amount I was then redirected to a second web site to select a location. I entered a nearby zip code and found a CVS I could walk to. Bitinstant took a fee out of the bitcoin and the second web site added a fee onto the amount I would pay at the CVS. The total fees were a few dollars
2) I printed out a form from the second web site and took it with me to the CVS. When I got to the CVS and presented the form to a cashier, he directed me to a red Moneygram phone. I picked up the phone and followed the instructions.
3) The automated process on the phone asked me for a phone number, which I declined to give. Then it asked me to enter one of the codes from my form. Then I got redirected to a live person, and had to wait on hold for the person for about 2 minutes. They asked me for a name, I gave a fake name. They asked me for an address, I gave a fake address (the street I gave doesn't even exist). Then they told me to go to the cashier to complete the transaction.
4) When I went to the cashier, he asked me for my name, so I gave the fake name. Then I gave him the money and he gave me a receipt to sign. I signed the fake name and I was outta there!
5) By the time I walked home, I had the bitcoin in my wallet
The only part of this that I think could possibly link me to my identity would be the fake signature. Even though I signed a fake name, hand-writing analysis could still show that it was me who signed it. But this is a really minor concern. At no time was I asked for ID and at no time did I give any information that could be used to trace me.
Hope this helps anyone who's wondering about this process!
I use this method to get my BTC. One time, though, I was asked for an ID at CVS ($300 payment). I had used my real name so it wasn't a problem. I wonder whether I'm being careless about using my real info, but there's nothing illegal about buying BTC, so I don't worry about it. I figure I can always say I'm playing the BTC market.
If I'm being stupid here, someone let me know ...
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What should one do when asked for ID?
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Tell them you don't have one and go somewhere else.
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Tell them you don't have one and go somewhere else.
How about telling them you're doing it for a friend?
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I personally couldn't do cash deposit on Bitinstant through TOR. The option goes away with TOR. You might want to go to Starbucks. You also don't need to print out anything. Just write down the numbers they give you and their information (San Francisco, CA, ZipZap, Inc. etc.).
Go to WalMart and find the blue form and match the information from the .pdf onto the form. Triple check the numbers. Your info can be fake. No ID.
The lady behind me was also doing a moneygram transfer. They do this all day, so there is no need to be paranoid or anything.
awesome. 8) yeah, the only part of this i was worried about was my actual IP being revealed when i went to print out the form, but seeing as how i don't *actually* need the printout, i'm excited about this. i don't normally buy much more than $100-150 in btc, and moneypak vendors are bitches about small MPs lol. i think i saw one vendor who charges something like $15+20%flat fee for <$100 MP (=$65 in btc). that's BS :P
I have this same question re: tor ip address being revealed if you accept the pdf. Even if you don't print it, the pdf is sent to you and you you have to click through the warning.
I got nervous enough about this to buy my bitcoins from the library clearnet computers then start bouncing the coins through several sr accounts, then changing account numbers after the transfers. I have sent straight to SR acct rather than instawallet or torwallet. I may send to one of them first next time though.
So, which is really better: going through tor and downloading the pdf from bitinstant (with or without printing), or going through a clearnet site that is not your tor browser enabled computer?
I have done both ways so far but think that one may be more secure.
I have also successfully used Walmart with the moneygram option (chose pay at walmart option on bitinstant and sent to btc address. You can get some moneygram forms from walmart and prefill them out for future transactions. Then you have time to memorize your fake name , address and ph# and even try a fake signature. always say you don't have your id with you if they ask to see it. You don't lose any money if you leave and go to a different store.
By the way, I used Moneypaks for my first 10 transactions or so. I finally settled on SugarMama as the vendor. All of these services are expensive compared to getting your own bitcoins, but a lot simpler in the beginning. Use Sugarmama if this bitcoin purchasing has you in a dither. Also. learn and use PGP as one of the first things you do before attempting to order anything other than food or clothing on SR ;)
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What should one do when asked for ID?
I was asked for ID the other day.
As I was holding my cash in my hand, she asked for my ID because I wasn't in the system. She also seemed like a management-type person since other employees were coming up to her and asking her questions. I simply tried to be friendly and said that I don't carry one. She then just continued on, created a new customer in the system, and input my numbers without any questions. Coin was in the wallet by the time I got home.
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Quick, and probably dumb question: When using this method, do the coins go directly into your SR account, or is there a transfer of sorts required after the coins are purchased via Money Gram???
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Quick, and probably dumb question: When using this method, do the coins go directly into your SR account, or is there a transfer of sorts required after the coins are purchased via Money Gram???
During the first step of the Bitinstant process, you select where you want the coins to go. If you select 'bitcoin address' the bitcoins will be deposited to whatever address you put in there.
You can send them directly to your SR account if you'd like but there would be an additional level of security when you pass the coin through a different account/wallet. Many folks send their coins through instawallet or coinapult or Mt Gox before sending them to SR.
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Tried this method at CVS today and when I got to the cashier he asked for ID. I had used a fake name and address and I for one would never use a real name. Told him I didn't have ID and it was a payment for a friend anyway. He said sorry I can't help you.
Next I'll give Wal-Mart a try.
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This is a fresh review of the Bitinstant Monegram method for bitcoins 9/17/12
I went to a walmart filled out the monegram with entirely fabricated info walked up to cashier he filled it out I signed with fake name no ID asked for. The only hassle I can see here is the info is put into walmarts system for future transactions so It can be convenient to use the same fake info a couple of times before switching up I will probably use different info because I have access to different walmarts I travel alot. checked my email and bitinstant had confirmed the transaction only problem I'm currently experiencing is I didn't realize bitcoin wallet had to dl the chainblock to catch up to my transaction and this is taking for ever the block is 120 days back so I've got hours before i can access my fucking BTC if anyone knows of a way to speed this up please advise otherwise method is FLAWLESS. Not the cheapest and probably not the easiest way to get BTC but fool PROOF!!!
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This is a fresh review of the Bitinstant Monegram method for bitcoins 9/17/12
I went to a walmart filled out the monegram with entirely fabricated info walked up to cashier he filled it out I signed with fake name no ID asked for. The only hassle I can see here is the info is put into walmarts system for future transactions so It can be convenient to use the same fake info a couple of times before switching up I will probably use different info because I have access to different walmarts I travel alot. checked my email and bitinstant had confirmed the transaction only problem I'm currently experiencing is I didn't realize bitcoin wallet had to dl the chainblock to catch up to my transaction and this is taking for ever the block is 120 days back so I've got hours before i can access my fucking BTC if anyone knows of a way to speed this up please advise otherwise method is FLAWLESS. Not the cheapest and probably not the easiest way to get BTC but fool PROOF!!!
You can put btc straight into your SR account (or open a second one then transfer to your main one) I change the SR addresses after moving BTC into them and then after receiving BTC, Since no bitcoin address is linked to any company or particular location, this seems to eliminate the delay in going from instawallet/torwallet to SR.
On other forums, I've seen no issues with this direct-to-SR from bitinstant/moneygram.
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Man I feel moronic I was reading in the forum people warning not to transfer straight to SR, to me it seems like it would be fine anonymous and you can change your SR BTC address. As helpful as the forum is sometimes there can be to much info lol I regret doing it the way I did now...But thank you most kindly for clearing that up bud!
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Man I feel moronic I was reading in the forum people warning not to transfer straight to SR, to me it seems like it would be fine anonymous and you can change your SR BTC address. As helpful as the forum is sometimes there can be to much info lol I regret doing it the way I did now...But thank you most kindly for clearing that up bud!
Every time I think I am Bitcoin savvy, I am taken back to square one. I have no problem operating Tor and PGP, but when it comes to Bitcoins I feel like I'm totally lost. I still have yet to buy any because I can't decide on the cheapest and safest method. Sheesh
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You can send them directly to your SR account if you'd like but there would be an additional level of security when you pass the coin through a different account/wallet. Many folks send their coins through instawallet or coinapult or Mt Gox before sending them to SR.
No, no, no. (Definitely not Mt. Gox!)
Sending them directly to SR is fine, unless SR has been infiltrated and the sending address can be associated with you. (Which, if you just bought them at CVS with no ID, can't be done without spending serious, serious money.)
If you want a laundry, use blockchain.info. Wash your coins there if you are feeling particularly paranoid.
There is never a situation when sending coins to Mt. Gox is a good idea.
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Some advice, maybe helpful for some:
1. Get ready. Know your info. Have your plan. Memorize your proxy name and address. Consider wearing something that is typical, but atypical of you. Consider a generic hat you don't usually wear without identifying features. Keep your head down, but not in a shady way. Modify your appearance in a striking but non attention grabbing why (fake tattoo you take can take off right away). Breathe. Relax. Be casual, regular. Blend. Smile, look people in the eye. You are doing nothing illegal.
2. Choose your location. Try to choose one that is out of your area if you can, and either randomize or frequent one area for a while to make it seem as if you reside there.
3. Go directly to the red phone as if you know what you're doing. Ask for it if you can't find it. You have a bill payment you REALLY have to pay. So, use odd numbers. It is a bill you're paying.
4. Navigate to bill payment. For the moment, when the phone tells you to enter in the number you have no idea which it is, try the top one. Otherwise you might get directed down to the phone
5. If you get directed to operator, stay calm. But talk quietly, with an accent if you can. You don't have to confirm their mistake if the make one, as you have the address (one that makes sense, the CVS clerk sees some of your info, so in case they see your addr). After they will thank you and tell you to make an express bill payment. The clerk will likely ask you for ID. At this point distract them by counting the money on the counter.
6. If they remember, apologize profusely and get some hurry in your voice that your wallet just got stolen, you really gotta pay this bill because you can't use a bank, please just this once. If not, find another location.
Blend in, relax. You are part of the people. Everyone has their way to peace, and the road to hell is paved with good intentions, unfortunately.
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quick question guys... for bitinstant where it says "bitcoin address" i should enter my SR wallet address if i want the bitcoins to be transferred directly there.. correct or no?
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^^HighFly, if you are using the Cash > BTC address method, then yes, the SR btc address from the account page goes into that field.
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**I'm cross posting this experience to all the Bitinstant threads**
Another successful Bitinstant - Moneygram client here. I did a few transactions earlier today and had the coins in less than an hour each time.
Just use fake info like everyone says. You don't need to memorize anything other than the name/address you give Moneygram via the red phone. Seriously, it's that easy. You walk in, pick up the phone, follow simple instructions, tell them the amount, say your designated fake name/address plus a fake phone number you don't even need to remember, and that's it! Finally, go over to the cashier, tell them the name, pay the total, and sign the receipt. Done.
Be prepared to be asked for ID at some locations. Calmly tell them your wallet is lost and that's why you are paying bills with cash in the first place, and they'll pretty much be forced to continue.
It's not quite as easy as bank deposits, but there are advantages to this process. For one, drug stores are open later and they don't store their surveillance footage as long as banks, not to mention the shitty cameras and choppy DVR settings they use.
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I have this same question re: tor ip address being revealed if you accept the pdf. Even if you don't print it, the pdf is sent to you and you you have to click through the warning.
I got nervous enough about this to buy my bitcoins from the library clearnet computers then start bouncing the coins through several sr accounts, then changing account numbers after the transfers. I have sent straight to SR acct rather than instawallet or torwallet. I may send to one of them first next time though.
So, which is really better: going through tor and downloading the pdf from bitinstant (with or without printing), or going through a clearnet site that is not your tor browser enabled computer?
I have done both ways so far but think that one may be more secure.
That is a great question! I missed it on the first read through. That issue was encountered when Liberte could not display the website properly. I don't know there is a setting that disables that for safety, or if that browser cannot handle some websites.
The alternative was to view the site using regular ToR. Now I get that warning about applications for the pdf. I don't know if this solves the problem, but what I did was allow the prompt to pop up, then I go offline (double check you're offline!). Then I open it, do what I need to do, then delete it. Print offline. Then go back online if I need to do anything. (of course that computer will need to eventually be destroyed, just in case). Next time what I think might be better is I'll take that file, transfer it to another offline computer, then do what I need to do.
I am wary of libraries. There may be cameras, and everyone can see what you're doing. Yes, I know I'm not doing anything illegal. But I would prefer that no one even knows anything in the first place. Better safe than sorry, I say.
The better third option might be to find an unrelated computer that won't be compromised, put up ToR, do what you have to do, and then never use that computer again. Unfortunately thats not an option for all of us.
So that doesn't exactly answer your question, but hopefully it addresses it well enough.
By the way, I used Moneypaks for my first 10 transactions or so. I finally settled on SugarMama as the vendor. All of these services are expensive compared to getting your own bitcoins, but a lot simpler in the beginning. Use Sugarmama if this bitcoin purchasing has you in a dither. Also. learn and use PGP as one of the first things you do before attempting to order anything other than food or clothing on SR ;)
How are the rates on MPs? I heard there are many scams, and that it is expensive. Right now my fees are about 6-10%, leaning moreso to 9-10% because hopefully the extra money will bring extra safety. Peace of mind is nothing not enough comfort if I'm putting myself in actual danger.
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I just did my first bitinstant/moneygram transfer at walmart. I already had my blue form with me and already filled it out. They didn't ask me for my id and I don't think they even cared. I had my fake name, fake address and fake phone number memorized just in case. It was as easy as ordering a cheeseburger. I was in and out within ten minutes. I'm a semi noob when it comes to BTC but now I get how easy it is to get BTC by this method. I think using walmart is a good choice because they don't care (if you're worried about them asking for your id). They just want your money. Plus, they have a money center just for moneygrams, moneypaks, western union, etc, so the employees do that stuff all day. I know if I worked at walmart, I could care less if you had your id or not.
Anyway, I just wanted to add this reply to maybe help anyone else out there who was as new or confused to this as I was. This guide http://dkn255hz262ypmii.onion/index.php?topic=46294.0 helped me, except I couldn't find the MAJOR BANK BRANCH part on bitinstant.com to do a cash deposit. This thread here helped me though. So, thanks for all the info.
Oh yeah, and my BTC was in my wallet by the time I got home. The only thing that connects me to the BTC is the walmart video surveillance and if the employee could remember my face to my given name.
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Bitinstant no longer provides the bank service. It was convenient while it lasted. What I have heard is that Bitinstant has some type of disagreement with the banks, so that might be why.
I don't know for sure, but I would not feel safe transferring coins directly to your wallet at home, unless you have some special setup.
I didn't check your link, but if its that Mr. Mobolina's(sp) guide, it suggests that you go from bitinstant->blockchain(which has both anon in and anon out, but each way will cost 1.5% and the last time I did it I may have somehow lost 3btc which is not 1.5% so..)/andorbitcoingfog(sp)->instawallet->instawallet->ad infinitum->SR
I don't know how much security you get in addition compared to your method, but I am wary of having the coins in a wallet that belongs to me. Of course there are risks at SR, so not only would I not store a lot of coin there. While I have seen a fair coins stored on there , I would also find a safe and secure backup address to send it to. If its feasible to send it to a brainwallet, and you can pull that off, that might be even better.
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@quietgirl79
Yes, the link is to Mr. Mobolina's(sp) guide. I started with blockchain and then went to bitinstant and I used the blockchain anonymous option. Then transferred to SR. It was the first time I bought BTC this way.
I only ever buy enough BTC for what I need/want so I never store BTC anywhere.
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I've tried Moneygram three different times at two different CVS locations and each time the cashier says no orders show up at the register. One of them told me to use Western Union instead, which I obviously can't...Huge pain in the ass since Bitinstant removed bank deposits.
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I don't know for sure, but I would not feel safe transferring coins directly to your wallet at home, unless you have some special setup.
Transferring coins to a wallet at home is fine. It is when you want to transfer them out that you need to take some special steps to remain anonymous.
If you think about it, transferring coins to your wallet is like sending coins to any other Bitcoin address out there. Nothing is actually sent to your wallet. The transaction that credits your address with some amount of Bitcoins is sent to the block chain, not your wallet. That is, the transaction is sent to everyone, not just you. Nothing there that will leak your identity.
When you send coins out of your wallet, you actually have to send that transaction to the network. Everyone you send that transaction to will also send that transaction. This way the transaction will be spread around the network until it is included in a newly mined block. However, if someone really, really (really) wanted to find you, they might be able to figure out that your IP address was the first address to send that transaction. (More likely they would do a statistical attack on a number of different transactions. This is another reason why it is always good to use a new address for every transaction.)
If you are really worried about this relatively unlikely attack, you can simply use Tor. (And since you're reading this, you've already done the hard part, you've figured out how to use Tor.) All you have to do now is figure out which port Tor started the Socks5 proxy on, then use the '-proxy' argument to bitcoind / bitcoin-qt. Now the first IP address that sends out your transaction will be a Tor exit node.
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I may be overly paranoid about moving coins to SR, but it's part of the process I can fully and easily control. Why not take additional precautions?
Here's my bitcoin acquisition model:
$ deposit at Bank
||
________ \/
| virtual exchange site ------------ (ie; bitinstant/mt gox)
| || ||
| \/ \/
| temp wallet1 temp wallet2 -------- (unequal amounts ie; 65/35)
T | \ /
O -| \ /
R | bitcoinfog ---------- (unequal amounts split between 5 BCF wallets)
| | |
| ___| |____ ----------(at least 10hours of randomized withdrawal time)
| | |
| temp wallet3 temp wallet4
| \ / -----(staggered withdrawals)
| \ /
| \ /
|_________ SR ---------- (new bitcoin address used for each deposit)
Food for thought:
In order for LE or the bank to warrant digging through camera footage to ID you, they would obviously have to suspect you were up to something. The only way I can see this happening is if the exchange you use is found to be associated with illegal activity and forced to divulge account information. Even then, to peg you with a crime, they would have to match the timestamp on your deposit to the camera footage of the time you made the deposit and use facial recognition to ID you. Seems unlikely.
Also, keep in mind, when you make a cash deposit and sign with a fake name, you are on HD camera committing (I believe) fraud.
-techmo
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Okay, if we're going to go full-balls paranoid, let me add a step here.
If your laundry is compromised (or run by LE, how do you know?) then they will connect the "temp wallet" transactions together, follow the transaction back to Mt. Gox and follow it forward to SR. (No, nobody can tell that the address you sent the coins to initially was an SR address. However, all they have to do is watch the coins getting mixed. The SR mixer is easy to identify.)
The fix? Send it through 2 laundries on the way in. (And hope both of them aren't compromised.)
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Okay, if we're going to go full-balls paranoid, let me add a step here.
If your laundry is compromised (or run by LE, how do you know?) then they will connect the "temp wallet" transactions together, follow the transaction back to Mt. Gox and follow it forward to SR. (No, nobody can tell that the address you sent the coins to initially was an SR address. However, all they have to do is watch the coins getting mixed. The SR mixer is easy to identify.)
The fix? Send it through 2 laundries on the way in. (And hope both of them aren't compromised.)
I lol'd at 'full-balls paranoid'.
Also, eli, I would give you karma for the HL reference if I could. :D
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Fucking bitinstant is being a fucking faggot, is there anywhere else?
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Fucking bitinstant is being a fucking faggot, is there anywhere else?
Can you tell us what happened? I used them not too long ago and had no problems. Coin was spendable in about an hour
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I click my submit button and it just reloads the page, no emails what so ever.
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Oh no!
I wish I had found this thread last week when I loaded my wallet for the first time! I used a false address, but I was under the impression that I had to use my real name. But I think I will be okay. As a friend stressed, it is not illegal to purchase bitcoins. I also read BitInstant forums where the mods stressed that they didn't report purchases to authorities (though a word is a lot to go on, it's what I go on here...)
The only thing I have to do now is use a tumbler/fogger before using the tracked currency. Or should I worry further for this traceable activity? I'm still trying to grasp the concept of how something like blockchain.info can help deter it. The way i see it, if the money is a ball pinging around different wallets as nodes, it's still traceable, it just may take a longer time to do so.
-Ph
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My only problem with this service is the limit on how much you can purchase at once. Where did all the BTC vendors go?
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I did a CVS deposit for BitInstant today. I have yet to see any action on the blockchain.info site, and my wallet hasn't been funded. We are coming up on about 8 hours since the deposit. According to zipzap, the transaction was complete..
Usually, I get em in less than 2 hours. I don't know if it's because it's Sunday or whatever.. But these cats are taking their sweet ass time, and listings are going fast.. Sales are ending, etc.
Has anyone else waited 8+ hours for their coins using bitinstant?
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Has anyone else waited 8+ hours for their coins using bitinstant?
Yep. Ordered coins last Friday morning, got the confirmation email but no action at blockchain until Saturday evening, so it ended up taking about 34 hours which was weird.
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I used cvs this weekend and received my funds quickly. This is not anonymous though. I may have to get a fake I'd to use it. Very convenient......I was asked for names, numbers,addresses, identification. Everything!! Just to pay a bill.
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I used cvs this weekend and received my funds quickly. This is not anonymous though. I may have to get a fake I'd to use it. Very convenient......I was asked for names, numbers,addresses, identification. Everything!! Just to pay a bill.
It is if you use fake info and say you dont have your ID on you or get lucky and they dont req and ID..
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Has anyone else waited 8+ hours for their coins using bitinstant?
Yep. Ordered coins last Friday morning, got the confirmation email but no action at blockchain until Saturday evening, so it ended up taking about 34 hours which was weird.
Seeing this is somewhat comforting. I am at the 24 hour mark since I made the transaction. I haven't heard word one out of support either.
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Hey MC Haberdasher,
I'm having the same problem. I seen a deal on SR. I figured i would go to walmart and send a moneygram to zipzap. Most of the time when i get home, the money is in my block chain account. I did this yesterday at early noon. I assumed it would of been there by now. Of course not, and i missed out on the listing because of this. This is the first time i've had a problem using Bitinstant though. Its awkward. Support has not contacted me yet either regarding the situation. I assume one day they will finally arrive, i guess i have to be optimistic about it. ::)
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OK maybe because I am brand new here but why is everybody so paranoid about transferring their own money to buy BTC? It is not illegal to purchase BTCs, is it? So the sketchy part comes when you transfer your BTC to your merchants account and purchase something illegal. At this point as far as I understand it the BTC is impossible to trace unless the merchants service is compromised. Am I right? Also how would a LE connect the dots from SR to my physical address? Not that I would ever purchase anything illegal....
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On the Bitinstant website, below the "Pay from" to "Pay to" where it says "Bitcoin Address" is that where I put the SR address with all the random letters and numbers?
also, when I go to my bitcoin account on SR, where do I find my PIN? is the PIN going to be generated when I go through the process on the bitinstant website?
does it matter if I access and go through the Bitinstant process on Tor or not?
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Your pin was given to you when you registered on SR. You should use tor when using Bitinstant so they don't record your IP.
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Bitinstant always worked for me @ walmart, but the one time I tried at CVS it gave the clerk an error, who had never used the machine because this thing was a rare occurrence there. It may be fixed, but I decided that it looks less suspicious at walmart anyway.
I did have to wait a while, like 14 hours or something for the coins once, but I think he removed a lot of the fee because I sent him an email saying how this was NOT instant.
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Tried to buy bitcoins today via Bitinstant>Moneygram @ CVS
The whole process worked until the clerk tried to process the request at the counter.
The payment failed to go through at a location that usually works just fine.
Clerk voiced that that it could be due to the bad weather.
I am thinking 2 things.
1. Can a clerk raise a flag on a payment or claim an error occurred if they believe the activity of a payment to be suspicious? Can a payment really fail to process in bad weather?
2. Could this be connected to
a. The bitcoin 10.5 million mark which occurred just hours ago, affecting the transactions?
b. The moneygram lawsuit in which they are paying 100 million dollars?
And has anyone who recently reported issues seen changes in their transactions?
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Does it matter if I access bitinstant through Tor or through a regular clearweb browser?
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quick question guys... for bitinstant where it says "bitcoin address" i should enter my SR wallet address if i want the bitcoins to be transferred directly there.. correct or no?
That's correct if you want them to go directly into your wallet. However, I have seen it recommended that one not transfer directly, but pass the coins through a laundry service first.
Bitinstant no longer provides the bank service. It was convenient while it lasted. What I have heard is that Bitinstant has some type of disagreement with the banks, so that might be why.
Wow, thanks. I was so confused when all the writeups here talked about depositing at a bank.
As a side note, bitinstant still allows the cash deposit option when viewed through tor (worked for me).
I lol'd at 'full-balls paranoid'.
Also, eli, I would give you karma for the HL reference if I could
Second that :)
Thanks for the very detailed descriptions! Just made a fake ID and gonna try this CVS route this week.
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I just did my first bitinstant transfer, and it rocked!
No asking for ID or anything at CVS! I had the coin in less than an hour to boot!
Nice not to pay all the fee's for a change, and I will use it again!
I was curious if would go that smooth, and it did.
After I do a few more, I'll share more to see if the speed is consistant or not....
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The kiosks are the easiest really - simply a phone call.