Without a trace: How to “disappear” for your own safety and start a new life

There many reasons why you might want to disappear without a trace. Maybe you’re a city dweller and have gotten fed up with the complete lack of privacy. Maybe you’re in an abusive relationship and would like to wrest free from that, or maybe you just want to go off-grid and have no one bother you. No matter the reason, it is clear that the vanishing act is a good option for anyone looking for a fresh start.

What to do before disappearing

Be sure to do the following things before staging your disappearance: (h/t to ModernSurvivalOnline.com)

1. Commit to the act. Disappearing without a trace has gains and losses. You will lose contacts, be cut off from society, become constantly on the watch and many other things. Accept that going missing has its downsides.
2. Select a location. The best places are usually secluded areas and dense, populous places that are easy to blend in.
3. Do a gradual fade-away. You don’t want to alert your family and the authorities by disappearing all of a sudden. Make your disappearance gradual to get rid of anyone that might want to be on your tail.
4. Close your accounts. Gradually withdraw money from your savings and checking accounts, then close them out. If you wish to keep a bank account, incorporate yourself. That way, you can open an account under a corporate name
5. Sell your home. Selling your house signals that you’ve disappeared of your own volition.
6. Break up with your partner. If you’re not in a very serious relationship or have no kid to support, then consider breaking up with your partner. Be nice about it and do it long before you disappear.
7. Keep quiet. Nobody but you should know about your plan.
8. Disconnect from social media. Staying on social media keeps you visible. Close your accounts one at a time over several months.
9. Deal with photos of yourself. Decide whether you want to destroy or keep your own photos.
10. Quit your job with sufficient notice. You need to quit your current job if you’re going to start fresh. When your co-workers ask what you’re doing next, lead them in the wrong direction or avoid answering altogether.
11. Pay off any remaining bills and debt. Disappearing without a trace is a big no-no if you have standing debts and bills. Be sure to clear these first before going away.
12. Change your appearance. At the heart of your disappearing act is the “gray man” survival tactic. It’s a military strategy used to avoid drawing attention to yourself. And a huge part of it involves blending in via your appearance. Find a new look that will blend in with your new surroundings. (Related: Hiding in plain sight: Keep a low profile and make your bug-out location inconspicuous.)

What to do after disappearing

Keep the following tips in mind after you’ve disappeared:

1. Use an alias. You can’t use your real name in your new location.
2. Get a PO box. Avoid having anything but junk mail delivered to your home address.
3. Find a job. Look for something that pays with cash and start re-building your resume using your alias. Remember to pay your taxes too.
4. Practice new facial expressions. Even with a new look, people can still identify you with your facial expressions.
5. Make new friends. Loners usually get picked on while anonymous persons pique people’s curiosity.
6. Be ready to answer questions about your past. The best responses are those that bore people.
7. Pay using cash. You need to learn to live on a cash-only basis to truly become invisible. If cash is not an option, use money orders and pre-paid debit cards.
8. Don’t stay put. Move yearly to stay invisible.
9. Avoid going back. It’s tempting to visit your family especially if someone has died. But disappearing without a trace means you can never go back.

Take note that it’s a bad idea to disappear if you’re a fugitive from justice, are deep in debt or have children to look after. While the vanishing act offers you a fresh start, it is not an escape from your problems and responsibilities. Do it responsibly and legally for a worry-free off-the-grid living.

Sources include:

ModernSurvivalOnline.com

HappyPreppers.com