Section Articles: Invasion of the Data Snatchers Who are you? And who has a right to know? It's a debate that's gone beyond privacy into a deeper, darker dilemma. Down with the Count When the census comes knocking, who will open the door? The Beautiful and the Demmed You are what you buy-wherever you live Nightmare Express How Safeway tried to sign me up-and sent me screaming out the door The Road to Invisible A concise guide to dodging the glare and avoiding the detours that stand between you and radical anonymity

Begin here

The path to privacy is a long one. You start by reading The Privacy Rights Handbook, by Beth Givens (Avon, 1997) and monitoring privacy news (www.accessreports.com).

Stop direct mail by sending your name and address (all versions) to Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008.

Refuse to fill out warranty cards. (Warranties remain in force.) Patronize card-free supermarkets (www.nocards.org). When you buy by phone, say: 'Do not rent, sell, or trade my name and address.'

OOPS. You called an 800 number. The Automatic Number Identification System tags you for direct marketers.

Stop the telemarketers: Send name, address, and phone number to Telephone Preference Service, DMA, Box 9014, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014.

If someone calls anyway, say: 'Under the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act, I want to be on your 'do not call' list.' To stop pre-approved credit card marketers: 888/5OPTOUT.

Too much work? For $30, Private Citizen will contact marketers on your behalf. 800/CUT-JUNK(www.private-citizen.com).

OOPS. Your Social Security Number is printed on your checks. Someone could steal your identity. Better check your records: 800/772-1213 (www.ssa.gov).

Tired of this yet? Start over: Get married and change your name. Watch out for the license; it will get you on more lists. So will the passport you need for that overseas honeymoon.

Visit a privacy-friendly country. Watch out: Austria's Freedom Party wants to issue foreigners an 'Austria-Card' with photo, fingerprints, personal info. (www.privacyinternational.org)

Back home, you buy a new house. You fill out a permanent-instead of temporary-change of address card to let everyone know.

OOPS. The U.S. Postal Service makes big bucks by selling names. To exit the National Change of Address System, call the National Customer Support Center, 800/238-3150.

Buying a new car? Check your credit record: Trans Union, 800/888-4213 (www.tuc.com). Repeat every 3 years. Or every year if you find a mistake.

Applying for a new job? You could be rejected based on medical history. Verify your records: Medical Information Bureau, 617/426-3660 (www.mib.com).