Paying for mullvad via mailed cash (lemmynsfw.com)

submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by ponchow8NC@lemmynsfw.com to c/piracy@lemmy.dbzer0.com

33 comments fedilink hide all child comments

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

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[-] Long_Con@lemmy.dbzer0.com 12 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 months ago* (last edited 4 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 4 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 4 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