Disappearing without a trace

[100gym]

What are the legalities regarding this if you have no debt and all of your bills have been paid and you don't owe anyone anything, is this legal? Also if you wanted to disappear and family or friends contacted the police would the police be allowed to tell them that you're alive, would you have to inform the police before disappearing that not to launch a manhunt for you as you are planning to disappear? Is there a way to just go and leave no trace? What about your credit card bank details etc or can this be dealt with by changing your name by deed pole? Seeing we're on the subject about deed pole how easy is it to change and what happens when you then try and open a bank account or get a job?

[andy-hughes]

I would think it is really difficult to 'disappear' - leaving aside the trauma it will cause to loved ones if they don't know what has happened to you.

In theiry it can be done, but would probablky involve moving a long way away and developing a lifestyle that involved no bank or credit transactions, no payment in or out except by cash - the ramifications are complicated.

It's not illegal to 'disappear' - just unwise and will pribably cuase more issues than it solves.

[ummmm]

If you change your name by deed poll most banks will ask if you've been known by any other name.

As for telling the police...it would be quite polite really and save a lot of time and expense.

[jaydah]

Afganistan seems best bet to get lost - where is Bin Liner

[twix123]

Do you think that the police would keep a database of all the people that walked in off the street stating that they intend to disappear but not to start looking for them!

Unless starting to work illegally, you would need to obtain a new NI number, unless the same one is used after changing names via deed poll. Would your State Pension entitlement have to start afresh if a new NI number is issued? Obviously HMRC would be interested in your tax affairs!

How would you get references and/or a P45 to start a new job?

Unless you do a 'Reggie Perrin', when nobody recognised him, it is very hard to disappear completely, there are usually some traces left behind - remember the ex MP John Stonehouse who was found in Australia (although Lord Lucan has never been found, dead or alive!).

The Salvation Army are also very good at tracing people if their names haven't been changed.