And yet another wild cache find...

[robertk]

I don't think it's quite 1984 yet. Most things you buy (clothes, booze, tickets, gasoline, food, etc.) with cash don't have any record that can be traced. Cash at a restaurant? They won't even know my name.

That all depends on who's asking. There are cameras all over the place (including inside stores, restaurants, and coin dealers) that will show your presence and probably your purchases (since they usually have one pointed at the registers). All it takes is the right access and facial recognition for the ID. And that's assuming you're not carrying a personal tracking device cell phone that follows your every move.