Posts Tagged ‘identity theft protection’

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Simple steps go a long way in ID theft protection

Friday, November 19th, 2010

When you think of identity theft, it’s likely that you think of a person who is looking to steal money from you. This is certainly one form of identity theft.

But thieves are also looking to obtain your personal information in order to bypass the system for themselves. Your stolen information can be used to obtain a driver’s license, find a job, get utilities service, get cell phone service or even commit crime.

You may wish to check with your Department of Motor Vehicles and get a copy of your driving record to be sure your information isn’t being used by someone else. You should also put a stop to pre-approved credit offers coming in your mail. You can remove you name from the list by calling 1-888-5OPTOUT. This is important because thieves looking to steal your information will go through your trash, looking for offers like this. They reply and obtain credit cards, which they use to amass charges in your name.

The last four numbers of your Social Security number are very important to protect. While it is true that most banks, creditors and the government might need those numbers at times, be sure you are talking to a legitimate person. This important information should only be provided on a need-to-know basis.

If you have children, be sure their Social Security information is protected and uncompromised. One of the best ways to do so is to check to see if your child has a credit report; if so, it’s likely a compromise has occurred.

It’s important that you shred documents containing your personal information before you dispose of them. You should also be suspicious of e-mails you receive that look fraudulent. To be safe, if you aren’t sure of where it came from, don’t click on it. You should be sure that your computer has the proper software protection, including anti-virus, firewall and malware-detecting software.

Following these tips and using some common sense, coupled with a lot of caution, can go a long way toward protecting you against identity theft.

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Protect yourself from ID theft: be prepared

Monday, October 18th, 2010

It seems that everywhere we turn these days, there’s a new threat to our personal information. Identity theft is a continuous problem and it truly is just that – everywhere.

Identity theft is truly the crime that won’t go away, and it can be both costly and time consuming. The average victim i 2009 lost $4,840 and spent 21 hours cleaning up the mess left by identity thieves, whose motive was to swipe your information and use it to drain accounts, obtain credit cards and create havoc in your life.

Identity theft can happen anywhere to anyone. but there are some known areas of risk that you can avoid, if you know how.

• Thieves are preying on people’s urgency to find work. In some cases, phony online ads ask that a resume include a Social Security number, or that applicants bring personal documents to a location that’s not a real office. If you can’t see a person face to face or can’t check out the company by doing a little basic research, beware. Limit personal information on your resume; include your e-mail address and telephone, but not necessarily your home address, and never a Social Security number.

• Children are being targeted for their Social Security numbers and clean credit records. Scammers zero in on them because the crime can often go undetected for years. Signs of possible child identity theft include bills, credit cards or debt collection calls coming to you in your child’s name. If you suspect your child’s identity has been stolen, check with the three credit reporting agencies to see if a credit report exists in your child’s name. If there isn’t one, it’s good news. If there is, it’s likely your child has been victimized. You should be stingy in giving out your child’s Social Security information, and be sure you know why it’s needed and ask if there’s an alternative form of identification that can be used.

• The holidays are coming, and it can be an especially risky time. Remember to never carry large amounts of cash or your Social Security card. If you’re not using your checkbook, leave it at home. Be careful using ATMs, and if something looks strange about the ATM, don’t use it. Make copies of your credit cards, front and back, so that you can easily report a loss or fraudulent charges. Check your bank and credit card statements to be sure all the entries are yours. If you shop online, be sure the site is secure.

• Experts say one of the easiest and best things you can do to protect yourself is to shred any documents that bear your personal information. You should also be sure to remove your information from old cell phones and computers.

Remember, fighting identity theft is a constant battle that requires constant attention. Attacks can come from all fronts – and it pays to be prepared.

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Don’t be caught off-guard; get ID protection today

Monday, October 11th, 2010

The Mississippi National Guard is working to find out how personnel records from more than 2,600 members of the 155th Brigade Combat Team were accidentally posted online. It is unknown, at present, whether the information was compromised.

The incident shows once again how easy it is for identity theft, the fastest growing crime in America, to happen to anyone at any time. But even though most people are aware of identity theft, most don’t know what to do to prevent it. In fact, a lot of people aren’t even aware when they fall victim to this crime.

For many, that awareness only comes when a debt collector contacts them about an unpaid bill, or when they receive a bill for a credit card they never requested. Then they’re caught off guard and on top of that, face the task of setting things right.
And many victims don’t even know where to begin.

One of the most valuable things a person can have stolen is his or her Social Security card. With it, along with some other, easier to find information, a thief could obtain a credit card or line of credit in no time, and can rack up thousands of dollars of debt before the victim is aware. Yet many people continue to carry their Social Security cards in their wallets or keep them in unsecured places.

One of the simplest things you can do is to shred pre-approved credit card offers, receipts, and bank and credit card statements. Do not throw them into the trash can without shredding them – and remember that tearing them up isn’t enough; most people can put these items back together as if they’re a simple child’s puzzle.

Check your credit report at least once a year to be sure there are no unauthorized or fraudulent charges. You should also keep an eye on your credit and bank statements.

One of the most important things you can do to protect your personal information is to sign up with an identity theft protection service – and the top dog in that area is LifeLock. As the leader in proactive protection, LifeLock will monitor for both credit and non-credit related threats to your personal information, and will notify you immediately if any such threats are located. So, in effect, LifeLock can stop identity theft before it gets started.

So call LifeLock today – don’t be caught off-guard.

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

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Read the fine print at penny auctions – they’re not always the best deal

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010

Online ads are cropping up on popular Web sites claiming you can get great deals on iPads and other electronics with online penny auctions. The deals are tempting, but the Better Business Bureau warns bargain shoppers to do their research before signing up and making a bid, as some of these sites have had issues and have been used to steal personal information.

With most of these sites, users must set up an account and purchase bids with a credit or debit card. Each individual bid may cost less than a dollar and are often sold in bundles of 100 or more. Every item has a countdown clock and as people bid, the cost of the item goes up. Even if you don’t win the item, you must pay for the bids you placed.

The BBB has received hundreds of complaints from consumers about penny auctions – people have reported losing thousands of dollars bidding on items that they never received.

Some of those complainants said they were automatically charged $150 just for signing up for what was supposed to be a free trial. Others complained the sites used phony bidders and “bots” to drive the prices up on items. Customer support has also been a concern as some consumers said they had difficultly receiving refunds or resolving other issues.

Before going online and making your first bid, be sure to research the penny auction with the BBB first, and read the fine print carefully. Before providing any personal information or signing up for a free trial, read the entire agreement. Pay close attention to details on signup and annual fees, minimum bidding requirements, maximum prize amounts and how to get a refund.

Before bidding on an item, research how much it costs elsewhere and keep track of how much you’re spending on bids overall to determine if you’re really getting a good deal.

Be sure to check your credit card statement to be sure you aren’t overcharged and that there are no fraudulent charges. Report any problems to the BBB immediately.

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It’s high time you called LifeLock

Monday, October 4th, 2010

Why should I purchase identity theft protection? It’s a question many people ask themselves – and more and more are deeming this type of protection something they don’t want to do without.

Identity theft is one of the world’s fastest-growing crimes, with a new person falling victim every 13 seconds. With the expansion of technology, particularly social networking, everyone’s identity is compromised more and more each day. Hacked Twitter, Facebook and MySpace account information is sold on the black market every day for hundreds of dollars each.

Another commonly-used method is skimming. Identity thieves use machines disguised as part of ATMs or credit card machines to obtain your credit card information, which can then be used to create fraudulent cards. Other ID thieves dumpster dive or rummage through trash to get the information they need. Some go through your mail, looking for bank or credit card statements, bill payments or pre-approved credit offers.

Most people realize their identity has been stolen when they are trying to apply for new credit cards or loans. But wouldn’t it be nice to know before then? Wouldn’t it be nice to know that your information was being used to apply for credit, employment or a cell phone. LifeLock can do this for you.

LifeLock makes identity theft protection simple and affordable. For as little as $10 per month, you can be sure your information is safe and secure. LifeLock also offers a promotional code that will allow you to sign up for only $9 a month – that’s under $100 a year.

LifeLock is different from other identity theft protection companies in that it offers proactive serves – LifeLock searches for all credit and non-credit related threats to your identity and notifies you the minute any such threat is found. In other words, you’ll be able to nip identity theft in the bud. No other service offers this.

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

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How do I protect myself after identity theft?

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

If you fall victim to identity theft, remember that you don’t have to go it alone. LifeLock is there to help.

After having been through the nightmare of identity theft, you may ask yourself, “How do I protect myself and stay safe afterwards?”

This is a legitimate concern, and the solution is easier than you think. You can make prevention an everyday part of your life by following these simple measures:

• Purchase a cross-cut paper shredder. All documents containing personal information, such as junk mail, credit card receipts, and bank and credit card statements, should be shredded. This will prevent thieves who go through trash from obtaining your personal information.
• When you order checks,, have them delivered to your bank, rather than to your home address.
• When using ATMs and phone cards, be wary of anyone who might be close enough to see your numbers. “Shoulder surfing” is a common way that thieves obtain your personal identification numbers to gain access to your accounts. (more…)

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Identity theft protection

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Consumer education key to cybercrime war

Is it better to try to chase down cybercriminals, or educate computer users? That’s the ongoing debate among security experts.

On one hand, there have been some huge victories recently in the battle against the bad guys. This week, three men were arrested in connection with a creating a “botnet” that infected an estimated 13 million computers from 190 countries and stole personal and financial information.

In 2008, the alleged mastermind of the largest cybercrimes in history was arrested. Albert Gonzalez is responsible for the greatest data breaches in history, including Heartland Payment Systems, TJX, Hannaford Brothers, 7-Eleven, Citibank and Dave and Buster’s, according to his indictments.

Gonzalez also supervised an online forum in which more than 160 million credit cards, birth certificates, Social Security cards, PIN numbers and computer login information was exchanged.

So, the good guys must be winning the war, right? Probably not. (more…)

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LifeLock Reviews

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

LifeLock and Life Quotes team up to protect consumers and help them save money

LifeLock has partnered with Life Quotes to bring more consumers an opportunity for more complete identity theft protection to safeguard their personal finances and their personally identifying information.

It is a perfectly logical marriage of the leaders in their respective industries. LifeLock has long been considered the industry leader in proactive identity theft protection services, and Life Quotes was the first company to provide consumers with comprehensive insurance comparison services.

The collaboration also joins two companies committed to serving consumers looking for the best value in the products that protect their families and finances. That mission has become doubly important at a time when so many families are affected by the economic downturn.

“Through this partnership with LifeLock, we hope to provide our users with a necessary tool for helping to protect against identity theft. Just as life insurance and other forms of insurance are important protection measures, an identity theft service is crucial to keeping a stronger hold on finances.” (more…)

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Identity theft protection

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

Identity theft and tax season

It’s tax season. It’s an annual occurrence, happening at the same time of year, every year. And in observance, here’s our annual phishing, scamming and identity theft warning with tips for avoiding getting taken to the cleaners … by anyone but the IRS.

Your mailbox

  • If you don’t already have one, buy a locking mailbox before your W2 is delivered. Just think how easy it is to commit identity theft with just that one piece of stolen mail.

    • (more…)

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Red Flag Rules delayed … yes, again

Saturday, December 26th, 2009

delayedIt’s impossible to write about the Red Flag Rules without an apologetic “stop me if you’ve heard this one before” preface. So don’t shoot the messenger, but the deadline for the Feds’ identity-protecting Red Flag Rules has been delayed. The newest deadline—the fifth—replaces the January 1 deadline with one of June 1, 2010.

Congress created the program in 2003 in an attempt to stem the tide of identity theft by forcing creditors to use a common sense approach to identity theft prevention. It was originally slated to take effect in November 2008.

From its inception the rules have met with formidable pushback from the American Medical Association, the American Bar Association and the nation’s bankers, each group taking exception to the FTC’s interpretation of “creditor.” (more…)

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