Paying for mullvad via mailed cash (lemmynsfw.com)

submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by ponchow8NC@lemmynsfw.com to c/piracy@lemmy.dbzer0.com

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God I hope this isn't a stupid question to ask but how exactly do I send out cash? Do i need to add a return address and won't that defeat the purpose? I really just want to try the service for 2-3 months after that I'll probably switch over to the amazon vouchers since I don't want to deal with monero. I think I sent out an actual physical letter maybe twice in my life and all the research I done was for sending it out internationally ~~even though there's a us based address AFAIK~~ so I'm really a noob here and I appreciate any help you can provide.

Edit: Just want to apologize if this is really stupid to ask I feel like an absolute idiot right now, haha

Edit #2: Thank you all for your help think I got an understanding on what to do now

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[-] http_418@lemmy.world 21 points 8 months ago

you don't have to provide an address ... you generate a token on their site, print it out, put it in an envelope and send it with cash to them.

they receive the cash and activate the token based on the cash provided with it

see their faq Can I really pay with cash?

You bet, and please! Stay anonymous all the way. Just put your cash and payment token (randomly generated on our website) in an envelope and send it to us. We accept the following currencies: EUR, USD, GBP, SEK, DKK, NOK, CHF, CAD, AUD, NZD

[-] user224@lemmy.sdf.org 31 points 8 months ago

Just to add to that:

Your printer may add invisible identification data. Laser printers do this by using tiny amount of yellow toner.
If you withdraw cach from ATM, it could be traced back to you. It's best to take larger banknotes and exchange them for smaller ones by paying somewhere.
You may easily leave fingerprints on tape, envelope or stamps. Also hair, saliva, blood if you cut yourself on paper, etc.. There could also be hair in your pocket that could stick to it, if you put it there while transporting it.

Perhaps a little extreme, but oh well.

[-] http_418@lemmy.world 13 points 8 months ago

i like how you think

[-] http_418@lemmy.world 7 points 8 months ago

put it on a usb stick and print it in the mall/library

[-] whereBeWaldo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 11 points 8 months ago

Just go full serial killer mode, cut and paste letters from different magazines

[-] http_418@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

ladies and gentlemen ...

... we have a winner

[-] fatalError@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 8 months ago

Mall has security cameras

[-] ponchow8NC@lemmynsfw.com 6 points 8 months ago

Wait til it rains then wear a hoodie and sun glasses lmao. Guess you can also hire a homeless guy/kid to do it for you

[-] neinhorn@lemmy.ca 11 points 8 months ago

Make sure you don’t bring your phone because your carrier will track your location. Also walk with a fake limp, so gait tracking can’t match you.

[-] FlembleFabber@sh.itjust.works 2 points 8 months ago

Don't forget to kill said homeless guy/kid just to make sure you leave no witnesses

[-] http_418@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

but there isn't a direct connect between somebody printing in a mall and the letter you send later

[-] ponchow8NC@lemmynsfw.com 5 points 8 months ago

Yeah I read that but I'm just getting a little hung up in the details. Like what envelope to use and what stamps? I keep getting mixed result online, a standard us white envelope, an A4 yellow envelope, 3 forever stamps or an international stamp. It just confusing me a bit

[-] MomoTimeToDie@sh.itjust.works 10 points 8 months ago

My guy, you're getting mixed results because it really doesn't matter. If you're unsure how to do things, you can literally just address the envelope, and go to the post office service counter to figure out how much postage you need.

[-] ponchow8NC@lemmynsfw.com 3 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Yeah you're right. Appreciate it thank you for your help

[-] jawsua@lemmy.one 6 points 8 months ago

Just don't use a window envelope

[-] FigMcLargeHuge@sh.itjust.works 5 points 8 months ago

Definitely stick with linux... LOL.

[-] Rai@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 8 months ago

An envelope sealed with Tails

[-] model_tar_gz@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago

Don’t forget to use a one-time pad.

[-] Rai@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 8 months ago

Very strange—I had never heard about this before and now it’s just come up again on an episode of Darknet Diaries!

[-] pelletbucket@lemm.ee 2 points 8 months ago

you can walk into a post office with it in an envelope and tell them you want to mail it to an Australian address the cheapest way possible.

[-] Long_Con@lemmy.dbzer0.com 12 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

A letter with your return address would be nearly the same as using a credit card. ~~Same thing with vouchers. Amazon can track that shit.~~ If privacy is truly your main concern then NO return address and nothing other than the $ and a slip of paper with your account #. You run the risk of getting your funds "lost" in the mail etc. etc. but you gain complete anonymity this way.

If you're just thinking about trying it out, I don't see a reason not to slap 1 month on your credit card and take her for a spin. If you discover that you like it, and truly want to be anonymous. Then follow the mailing steps above.

I've used Mullvad for years without issue (and no I don't care about port forwarding). +1 from me.

Edit: I've been made aware that the "vouchers" on Amazon are indeed legit and are produced/sealed by Mullvad. Might be a nice way to save a few bucks!

[-] yote_zip@pawb.social 7 points 8 months ago

How would Amazon track a voucher? It's a physical scratch off code, sealed by Mullvad before they send it over to Amazon. More importantly, if you think that was possible why would Mullvad be unaware of it and/or lie about it? Just go with the vouchers if you want untraceability. They're also cheaper in USD than other methods IIRC, at $29/6 months and $57/12 months.

[-] Long_Con@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 8 months ago

Woah, okay. I did not see that Mullvad posted a blog about it. Thanks for sharing, it actually cleared some questions up for me. I only saw the vouchers on Amazon randomly and didn't do any further research as I already have my subscription paid up.

I'm gonna be honest, my tinfoil hat still doesn't like the idea of Amazon having possession of my Mullvad account # (scratch code or not) or knowing that I even use Mullvad... but to each their own!

[-] yote_zip@pawb.social 9 points 8 months ago

You probably have a higher attack surface from the gremlins in your walls. OTOH, Amazon knowing that you use Mullvad is a tangible downside, as they will probably use that to stick you in a marketing group or something. Monero is still an easy solution with the ~same cost if you're concerned about that.

[-] ponchow8NC@lemmynsfw.com 3 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Oh god thank you was thinking the same thing regarding the return address. I think I'll be fine with amazon knowing that I paid for a VPN as long as mullvad doesn't know about me but if the mailing process works smoothly I'll continue going that route instead. I am really confused though on what stamps and envelopes should be used? Keep hearing "oh use 3 forever stamps or an international one" and "tape up a standard white envelope or use an A4 yellow envelope" I might just be over thinking but I have no idea

[-] HonkTonkWoman@lemm.ee 3 points 8 months ago

Just a heads up, if you’re in the US, a lot of post offices have self serve kiosks away from the counter. You can use any envelope/packaging you like, as long as it fits on the scale at the kiosk.

Also, if you do decide to mail cash, fold it up inside another piece of paper. Maybe use two.

Idea being that some envelopes are translucent when held to the light, & cash is easy to spot. Folding it in paper will at least help with opacity.

And on a different note, you can legitimately use any packaging you like to mail something. It doesn’t have to be a blank envelope or packing box. You can literally slap an address & sufficient postage on a potato, & it will still reach its destination.

[-] ponchow8NC@lemmynsfw.com 3 points 8 months ago

Gosh darn spudtacular, but for real thank you for the help. Think I was honestly overthinking everything. I have a standard envelope at home so I'll just use that and get the stamp at the post office. It'll be my first time sending out something in years so hopefully I do things correctly, haha

[-] Uiop@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 8 months ago

Look guy, Poncho, This really isn't a problem. The internet is supposed to help you solve problems, normally one would not like these types of questions (as they could be solved by reading the manual - the problem begins when you get the same question everyday) but currently this niche here is absolutely more fun than just banning someone for this question. And thinking of the future, anyone with the sense of looking it up before asking the question has the possibility of reaching this genuinly helpful thread.

As far as this here is concerned it has been enjoyable as well as informative in several ways.

[-] Kostyeah@lemmy.ca 6 points 8 months ago

If you really wanna stay private, wouldn't it be better to use Monaro? You won't have to worry about all the limitations of the physical world, and on top of that you'll get 10% off. It seems like the overall better option compared to mailing cash.

https://mullvad.net/en/blog/2022/5/3/we-now-accept-monero

[-] ponchow8NC@lemmynsfw.com 4 points 8 months ago

100% agree but personally seems like a hassle to get, exchanging giftcards or another crypto for monero, etc..., especially if you haven't dipped your feet into the whole crypto world like me to begin with. For my personal threat model if i do end up liking mullvad, amazon vouchers will work just fine or if this whole mailing system works I'll continue doing that. But yes you're absolutely correct though

[-] RedBauble@sh.itjust.works 3 points 8 months ago

I did that some time ago. I just put the letter in an envelope, with just the receiver address on it, went to my local post office, paid for the service and the stamps, left them the letter and I was done.

[-] PriorityMotif@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

When I did it I also printed out some coloring sheets in order to obfuscate the code so it couldn't be read through the envelope and acts as an identifier in case I lost access to my account. I also paid with leftover Australian money I had.