Archive for the ‘identity theft protection’ Category

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Use these tips to protect yourself from ID theft

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

How do identity thieves get your information? They rummage through your mailbox and steal your outgoing bill payments. They dig through your trash in search of cancelled checks, credit card and bank statements, and pre-approved credit card offers. They hack into computers to steal personal data. They go to the post office and fill out a change of address form to divert their victims’ mail to another address so they can steal information.

In short, there are a lot of ways a thief can obtain your personal information. But there are also a lot of things you can do to thwart their efforts.

• Guard your Social Security number as if it is classified information. Don’t give it to anyone unless you are sure of how it will be used and secured.

• Don’t write down your passwords and carry the paper with you. If you must record them, do so and store the paper in a secure location.

• Be aware of your surroundings when using an ATM machine. Make sure no one is standing too close to you, and cover the pad when inputting your PIN. Check the machine to be sure there are no skimming devices attached before you insert your card.

• Warn your children about giving out personal information on social media sites.

• Buy a shredder and use it. This means you shred any document that bears your personal or financial information before you dispose of it, including pre-approved credit offers.

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Use these tips to keep your info safe

Monday, March 5th, 2012

Scammers are working overtime to find ways to fool you into giving them your personal and financial information – so you’d better be working overtime to find ways to prevent this from happening. There are some things you can do to help prevent identity theft.

First, never give your personal information out over the phone if you didn’t initiate the call. Scammers will call you claiming to be from your bank, or from the IRS or even tell you you’ve won the lottery – and all you need to do is confirm your Social Security number, or your debit or credit card information. Don’t be fooled. Be careful.

Phishing is another method criminals use frequently. This involves them sending out e-mails to potential victims, asking them for verification on personal or financial information. All you have to do is click on the embedded link and type in your information. The e-mails look legitimate, and there’s verbiage included that claims the need for you to comply is urgent – your account will be shut down if you don’t. Don’t be fooled. These are scams. If you’re unsure, call your bank to verify it. You may also get an e-mail with a link that contains malware, which can infiltrate your computer and provide the scammer with your personal and financial information, without you even knowing it.

Don’t put your personal information on your checks, including your Social Security number, credit card number, driver’s license number, etc.

If you keep personal and financial information on your computer – and who doesn’t these days – install a firewall, use anti-virus protection and password protect your programs and files.

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Learn more about Credit Score Manager

Monday, February 6th, 2012

One of the most important things you can do to protect yourself from identity theft is to regularly check your credit report. You are entitled to a free copy each year from each of the three credit reporting agencies, and knowing what’s on those reports – as well as what’s not – will go a long way toward protecting your personal information.

But what do you do the rest of the year? The answer is simple: LifeLock.

With LifeLock’s Credit Score Manager, you will always know what’s going on with your credit report. Credit Score Manager provides safeguards for monitoring your report, and monitors it daily. You get an e-mail alert assign as any changes are detected to your report. In other words, as soon as a thief tries to swipe your good credit, you’ll know about it.

You’ll also get unlimited access to your credit management information. This means that if you find anything that concerns you on your credit report, such as a fraudulent entry or incorrect information, you can request to have it removed and then monitor the progress of your request.

And on top of all that, you get assistance from LifeLock’s knowledgeable staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Staff members are available to answer all our questions, and assist you should you find something on your credit report that you find confusing or if you just need advice.

Go online today at www.lifelock.com and learn more about Credit Score Manager. You can’t monitor your credit 24/7 – but LifeLock can.

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Child safety – It’s every parent’s responsibility

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

Some people think they can do what LifeLock does for themselves – and they can do it for free. But in order to monitor your information just as LifeLock does, you’d have to invest a considerable block of time. And if you’re also concerned about the identities of your family, then it will require even more time and energy.

Think about it. Child identity theft accounts for about 5 percent of all identity thefts reported each year. But that’s only the ones that are reported – there are many more that aren’t reported because the ones perpetrating the crimes are family members or friends, and it gets sticky when you point the finger at family or friends. Then there are thousands of cases each year that occur, but aren’t reported because child identity theft can go undiscovered for years.

But monitoring your children’s identities is incredibly important, because their Social Security numbers are given out almost as often as yours.

If you have LifeLock, then consider adding your kids for just a small amount per month. You can pull your child’s credit report each year as well, but the peace of mind you’ll get from knowing that LifeLock is checking 24/7 to be sure your child’s information is safe is worth the extra couple of bucks you’ll pay per month.

It’s a parent’s responsibility to watch out for the welfare of his kids. We all know to make sure they are fed, clothed, get an education and are healthy. But how often do we think about protecting their personal information? It should be on the forefront of every parent’s mind. Ignoring the possibility won’t make it go away. If you already are signed up with LifeLock, take the extra step to protect your whole family today.

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Signing up for LifeLock is easy

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

There’s no question about whether you need identity theft protection – in this day and age, you can’t afford to be caught without it.

Let’s say you’ve narrowed your choice down to the industry leader, LifeLock, and you want to sign up, but aren’t sure which one of LifeLock’s service plans are for you. Here’s some help.

When you enroll with LifeLock, a quick and easy process, you’ll find that there are two choices: LifeLock’s Command Center, priced at $15 a month or $165 a year; of LifeLock’s regular service at $10 a month or $110 a year.

LifeLock’s Command Center is your best value, as it not only offers LifeLock’s industry-leading identity theft protection and $1 Million Total Service Guarantee, but it also offers LifeLock’s Command Center protection suite and advanced protection against identity theft.

With LifeLock’s regular service, you get identity theft protection service and the $1 million guarantee. You’ll be notified about attempted uses of your credit, get wallet remediation services, have access to fraud resolution teams, and LifeLock will monitor criminal websites for the illegal trading of your information.

For only $5 more a month, you can sign up for the Command Center, which would offer you the following: You’ll be notified of any attempted use of your credit, monitoring for use of your information on known criminal websites or the illegal use or sale of your information, stolen or lost wallet remediation, fraud resolution assistance, monitoring of public records and aliases, and monitoring of file sharing sites and payday loans.

You can also sign up to protect your family. Child identity theft is a growing problem, and LifeLock offers protection for your children, as well as yourself.

Give LifeLock a try today – your peace of mind, as well as your family’s, is so worth it.

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Is making a ‘fake’ Facebook profile a crime?

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

A New Jersey woman, indicted last year on one count of fourth degree identity theft, says her creation of a fake Facebook profile in the name of her ex-boyfriend isn’t really identity theft.

Dana Thornton, 41, may face up to 18 months in prison if convicted. Reports state that after Thornton’s relationship ended, she created a Facebook profile using her ex-boyfriend’s name and birth date, as well as photographs of him and comments. The comments were allegedly false, but disparaged his lifestyle choices and career.

Thornton’s attorney contends that the charge is deficient by failing to provide any facts pointing toward Thornton having committed a corm under state statute. New Jersey’s statute on identity theft or impersonation is silent on whether it applies to Facebook or other social media.

The prosecuting attorney says the statute as written does apply, since it generally states that impersonating another character “to obtain benefit or to injure or defraud another is a crime.” The attorney claims Thornton’s ex-boyfriend’s character and reputation was injured by the comments she posted on the profile.

The case is set to be heard Nov. 2.

Whatever your take in this case, be sure you are protected. Sign up with LifeLock today, and let LifeLock monitor for your personal information. You’ll be alerted swiftly should your information be breached, so that you can take action to squelch identity theft fast.

Receive 30 days free and get a 10 percent discount on enrollment with the LifeLock Promo Code “Defense.”

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Are you getting your money’s worth when it comes to credit card ID theft protection?

Monday, October 3rd, 2011

Discover Financial Services is facing charges by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation over the way the company sells payment and identity theft protection.

In a regulatory filing last week, the credit card company said the investigation began several months ago, and that it is cooperating. The FDIC notified the company’s banking division, and a spokesman for the Riverwoods, Ill.-based company said action will be taken.

A series of lawsuits in various states have challenged the company’s marketing policies. Discover said in June it reached a preliminary global settlement int eh eight pending lawsuits, which are awaiting judge’s approval.

Credit protection makes up about 3 percent of Discover’s total revenue. The company’s shares have dropped 23 cents, since news of the investigation broke.

Be sure to check with your credit card issuer to see whether you are covered in the event of identity theft. Some credit card companies offer this protection, but there are some that aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Charges vary, so be sure you are getting what you expect and what you are paying for.

Read the fine print, and contact your issuer if you have questions.

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Insurance coverage against identity theft? May be worth it for you

Friday, September 30th, 2011

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Use these tips to avoid ID theft

Monday, August 22nd, 2011

The identities of millions of people are stolen each year. Identity thieves can use your personal information to access your financial accounts, obtain new credit cards, rent an apartment, get a job, get a cell phone, get medical care or even commit a crime.

But there are some things you can do – or not do – to avoid identity theft. First of all, never click on links contained within an unsolicited e-mail. These could lead to what looks to be a legitimate website, designed to trick you into submitting your Social Security number, user name or passwords, or even your bank account or credit card number. Never provide this information. If you’re unsure, contact your bank or credit card issuer to confirm the request.

These links could also contain malware which, when clicked, can infiltrate your computer and provide personal information to a hacker.

Second, you should have your name removed from pre-approved credit offer lists. Thieves use these lists, and if you discard the information you receive in the mail without shredding it, a thief could use it to obtain a credit card in your name and rack up a mountain of debt. To opt out of these lists, call 888-5-OPTOUT.

Third, don’t put your full birthdate anywhere online – this includes social media sites. If you want people to know when your birthday is, list only the month and date, not the year.

Fourth, use long passwords. Experts say that passwords that are 10 characters is much harder to figure out than one that is less. Use a mix of letters, numbers and characters.

Last of all, shred charge receipts, financial account statements, insurance forms, medical bills and other items with personal information before disposal. Remember: An identity thief doesn’t feel he’s above going through your trash to find what he needs to steal your information.

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Tiger Woods victimized by identity thief

Friday, July 29th, 2011

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