LexisNexis, the international information repository behemoth, is sending out 40,000 letters this week to notify the individuals whose personal and financial information was accessed in a years-old data breach.
An additional 300 identities are known to have been stolen and used to open fraudulent credit card accounts. Because of the extensive data retained by LexisNexis, the other 40,000 consumers are, of course, also at risk of becoming identity theft victims as well.
LexisNexis describes itself as the “world’s largest collection of public records,” including mailing addresses for all living residents in the United States, real property deeds, mortgages, marriage and divorce records, voter registrations, vehicle registrations, liens and professional licenses.
The accessed information likely includes names, addresses, birth dates and Social Security numbers.
The data breach occurred between June 14, 2004 and October 10, 2007. The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) notified Lexis/Nexis of their investigation into the ID thefts traced to their databases, but asked that they delay notifying the thousands of potential ID theft victims until the USPIS investigation was complete.
Those whose stolen information led to identity theft were already notified by the USPIS, but the remaining consumers have been at risk of identity theft for as long as five years.
LexisNexis has offered the newly informed consumers the option of subscribing to credit monitoring service at their expense for the next year. The hitch? If they decide to take LexisNexis up on the offer, they have to subscribe to the service within 90 days of receiving the notification letter.
LifeLock provides comprehensive, innovative identity theft services to nearly 1.5 million members. Visit LifeLock.com for more information. Enroll using the LifeLock promo code DEFENSE to get 30 days of free protection and pay only $9 a month thereafter.
At the end of the 30-day free period, your card will be automatically billed $9 monthly unless you cancel within that first 30-day period. You can cancel anytime without penalty by calling 1-800-LIFELOCK. This offer is for new LifeLock members only.
Tags: Data breach, Identity Theft, LexisNexis, LifeLock promo code
Very nice: Postal service has them wait 5 years to notify about data breach. LN gives 90 days to get help. No thank you! I’ve looked into LifeLock before, but now I’m certain I need it. Thanks for the info.
LexisNexis holds all there is to know about all of us. We’re screwed! Shredding mail, locking mailbox … it’s not going to help.
Lisa A: You’re right! People need to wake up. They must be crazy to think it only happens to other people!
my friend told me to join but i thot life lock would be too expensive. more pople should know about this.