Miami man pleads after SS finds 26,000 stolen credit card numbers

September 2, 2010 – 10:33 am

A Miami, Fla. man has pleaded guilty to two identity theft-related charges after federal agents found more than 26,000 credit card numbers stored on his computer, according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release.

Juan Javier Cardenas, 45, purchased stolen credit card numbers over the Internet between February 2008 and May 2009. Cardenas, also known as Maceo, has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to traffic in and possess unauthorized credit card numbers with intent to defraud, and one count of trafficking in unauthorized credit card numbers.

During a three-month period last year, Cardenas e-mailed more than 1,500 credit card numbers to five co-conspirators who used them to make fraudulent purchases.

U.S. Secret Service agents raided Cardenas’ home in May 2009 and found more than 26,000 credit card numbers stored on his computer. The indictment does not show how he obtained the numbers, but investigators confirmed they were obtained over the Web.

Cardenas now faces maximum prison sentences of five years on the conspiracy charges and 10 years on the charge of trafficking in unauthorized credit card numbers. He also faces fines on both counts, as well as forfeiture of any property or proceeds he obtained through his criminal activities.

Protect your credit card numbers and other personal information. Sign up for LifeLock today.

LifeLock will monitor for credit and non-credit related threats to your personal information, and inform you the minute any suspicious activity is found. Then LifeLock representatives will take action to nip the problem in the bud – before your credit and your good name are damaged.

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


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LifeLock picked as one of Arizona’s finest

September 1, 2010 – 10:37 am

Arizona Business Magazine and Best CompaniesAZ has chosen LifeLock as one of Arizona’s Most Admired Companies.

LifeLock will be recognized for the award at a special reception Sept. 14, and in a special article in the Sept./Oct. edition of Arizona Business Magazine.

LifeLock, an industry leader in proactive identity theft protection, has also been nominated as a possible recipient of one of 12 special Spotlight Awards in Workplace Culture, Leadership, Social Responsibility and Customer Opinion.

According to the magazine, the awards program will be the most “comprehensive and prestigious” in Arizona, recognizing the contributions and impact the recognized companies bring to the state.

In addition to the awards, winners will also be afforded the opportunity to learn best practice ideas, benchmark data, and receive increased market and statewide brand awareness.

The awards are presented based on employee, customer and community opinions, with consideration to workplace culture as voted on by employees, leadership and social responsibility as voted by the community, and customer opinion.

“These companies truly exemplify what it means to be a good corporate citizen,” said Cheryl Green, vice president of marketing for Arizona Business Magazine. “MAC winners consistently show strong leadership, a commitment to the communities in which they operate and concern for their employees and customers.”


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Don’t remain a victim of ID theft

August 31, 2010 – 10:10 am

Most people have at least a small understanding of what identity theft is. But most also don’t understand that there are several types of identity theft. Each one of these affects certain areas of our lives, and there are specific things you should consider when trying to deal with it.

Financial identity theft: When people hear the words identity theft, they usually think of credit reports and bank accounts. This type of theft is simple enough to understand: a thief gets his grubby paws on your bank account or credit card information, and strips the account clean or racks up a ton of debt. And you’re left responsible.

Medical identity theft: The World Health Organization has said this is the “information crime that can kill you.” This crime happens when a thief steals your health insurance information and proceeds to be treated for his own medical issues, using your information. The problem is that the treatments then show up in your medical records, which can be life threatening.

Criminal identity theft: This is where a thief steals your identity, then goes on a crime spree. It actually only takes one crime committed, but that crime goes on your record; not the thief’s.

Driver’s license identity theft: This is perhaps the easiest form of theft to commit Your purse or wallet is stolen, and your driver’s license is sold to someone who looks like you. Then it’s easy for that person to get other forms of ID in your name.

Social Security identity theft: Someone who doesn’t want to pay taxes finds this type of theft irresistible – an illegal immigrant, a deadbeat parent or a paroled criminal. Your SSN may be the most valuable piece of information a thief can steal.

Synthetic identity theft: A thief takes parts of information from many victims and then combines it to create a whole new persona. This type of crime is harder to track down, but you can be just as affected as if you were the primary victim.

Child identity theft: Kids are a big target for identity thieves, since their credit histories are clean and fresh. Unfortunately, there are lots of parents and family members committing this crime.

If you have been a victim of identity theft of any kind, contact your local law enforcement and file a report. Work on cleaning up your credit report immediately, and know your rights.

Identity theft may happen – but you don’t have to remain its victim.


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Don’t get scammed by phony charity

August 30, 2010 – 10:27 am

Mildred is a senior citizen who’s very involved in her community and who loves to help others.

So when she was called and asked to donate to the American Cancer Society, she was more than willing to help out. She gave the caller her debit card number and told him to withdraw $25 from her bank account. She even told him to do so in honor of her friend, Evelyn, who had died two years earlier with breast cancer.

A few days later, Mildred went to the bank to withdraw some money, and found her checking account had been emptied.

Mildred had been scammed.

Criminals seek out people, particularly elderly people, to victimize with such scams. They target those willing to help others, like Mildred, and take advantage of their generosity.

Often, thieves will not only ask for bank account information, but for personal information such as Social Security and driver’s license numbers too. This information can be used to obtain credit cards, and apply for utilities and cell phones, as well as payday loans and mortgages. Thieves will also commit crimes as well – and all of this is done using the name and information of the victim.

If you receive a telephone call from someone asking you for a donation, don’t give your personal or banking information out over the phone. Tell the caller you’ll contact the charity directly to make a donation. You should never give your personal information out over the phone to anyone, particularly if you didn’t initiate the call.

If you’d like to make a donation to a particular charity, you should contact the charity directly using the phone number provided on that charity’s literature or Web site.

Never use a number or Web site provided by a caller soliciting donations. The Web site could be a phishing attempt, which could be used to access your computer’s hard drive and retrieve your personal information, or infect your hard drive with malware.

If you are a senior citizen, you should be particularly mindful that there are people out there who would target you as a victim. Don’t be a victim. Be smart. Guard your personal information, don’t provide details to people you don’t know, whether in person, online or on the phone, and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.


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Someone’s knockin’ at your door – do us all a favor and don’t let him in

August 27, 2010 – 10:07 am

It’s that time of year in Florida – the height of hurricane season. And with more activity off the coast, there’s more rain inland, and this often leads to flooding.

Unfortunately, the average Joe isn’t the only one checking the weather forecast. Criminals also know what the weather’s going to bring, and when there’s damage, they will prey on unsuspecting victims and take advantage of their misfortune.

The most common types of fraud after disaster strikes are scam artists, contractor fraud and identity theft. Scammers may come to your door or call you on the telephone, pretending to be a disaster official. They may try to charge money to inspect a home or file a fraudulent claim for assistance. Some of these phone contractors may even ask for advance payment or down payments, then disappear. Others may ask for personal information, which will be used to attempt to steal your identity.

To protect yourself, be mindful of the following suggestions.

• Be wary of anyone going door to door or asking for advance payment.
• Seek references and several written estimates from any contractor, and do business only with licensed, insured and reputable local contractors.
• Do not pay for services up front.
• Get a detailed written contract that discloses all costs before the work begins. Retain a copy of the final, signed contract.
• Do not give personal information such as your bank account or Social Security numbers, driver’s license number or other information to those without proper identification.

To protect yourself even further, call LifeLock and get proactive. Protect your personal information before anything happens. LifeLock will monitor 24/7 for all credit and non-credit related threats to your personal information, and if any such threat is found, you’ll be notified immediately via e-mail, postal mail or telephone. Then LifeLock’s team of experts will work to get the issue resolved in a timely manner.

LifeLock is one “contractor” you can count on, no matter what . Call them today.

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


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Identity theft hot topic on Yahoo

August 26, 2010 – 10:25 am

“GPS tracking” is a popular search topic this week after Inc. magazine ranked GPS Insight No. 281 on its annual Inc. 500, which ranks the nation’s fastest-growing private companies and entrepreneurs.

Also giving a push to the search is the recent ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals, which stated that it is now legal for the government to monitor and track anyone without a search warrant. This ruling applies in California, Oregon and seven other western states.

“Identity theft” is a hot topic this week on Yahoo. People continue to be concerned about the problem, as the number of thefts continue to grow each year. The Federal Trade Commission has estimated that the identities of more than 9 million people are stolen each year.

Your personal information is vulnerable if it falls into the wrong hands. If you shop online, have a credit card, a bank account or a job, your personal information is out there and available to thieves.

If your information is used fraudulently, you might not even know about it for months if you don’t closely monitor your credit report.

LifeLock can help protect you against more than just credit fraud. LifeLock will monitor for credit and non-credit related threats to your personal information. This includes applying for wireless services, retail credit, utilities, check orders or reorders, mortgage or payday loans.

If any such activity is found, you’ll be notified immediately, and LifeLock will take action to squelch the attempt before it gets off the ground. And LifeLock does all of this for as low as $10 per month.

Signing up is easy. You can call LifeLock or go online at www.lifelock.com. It’s worth the few minutes it will take to sign up to have peace of mind and a real sense of security.

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


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LifeLock ranked as No. 1 in security by Inc. magazine

August 25, 2010 – 2:13 pm

Inc. magazine has ranked LifeLock as an industry leader in proactive identity theft protection, and eighth on its 29th annual Inc. 500 List, an exclusive ranking of the nation’s fastest growing private company.

The publication also recognized LifeLock as No. 1 in the security category.

The list represents the most comprehensive look at what many feel are the most important segment of the economy: America’s independent-minded entrepreneurs. Companies like Microsoft, Visa, Zappos, Go Daddy, Oracle and hundreds of others gained early exposure as members of the Inc. 500.

“This is an enormous milestone in the history of our organization,” said Todd Davis, LifeLock chairman and CEO. “I truly see this recognition as a testament to our employees’ never ending commitment to provide consumers with the means necessary to help fight the fast growing crime of identity theft. Despite a down economy, the pressure of creating an industry and unwanted distractions, we have been able to stay focused on our overall mission and deliver the most innovative products and world-class customer service.”

This year’s list measured revenue growth from 2006-9, and LifeLock’s growth was more than 11,474 percent. To qualify, companies must have been founded by and generating revenue by the first week of 2006, and able to show four full calendar years of sales.

Additionally, the companies had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit and independent as of Dec. 31, 2009. The minimum required revenue for 2006 was $100,000, with the minimum in 2009 set at $2 million.

LifeLock’s revenue in 2009 ranked third among the top-10 companies, with $131.4 million.

A recent study showed that more than 20 million Americans have multiple Social Security numbers associated with their names in commercial records. Proactive identity theft protection can help prevent identity theft and protect the personal information of consumers. LifeLock does just this – taking action before the theft occurs, an innovative approach to protection taken by no other company in the industry.

Since 2005, LifeLock has provided consumers with the necessary tools to protect themselves from identity theft. The company has a solid focus on educating consumers and working with law enforcement professionals and elected officials to facilitate a better understanding of the threat of identity theft and how to prevent it.

LifeLock has been recognized by AlwaysOn to the Top Global Company 250 list, by Arizona Corporate Excellence as Arizona’s fastest growing company, and by the American Business Awards as having the Best New Product or Service of the Year for its LifeLock Identity Alert ™ system, which is key in providing broader identity coverage, greater control and early notification of both credit and non-credit related identity threats.


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Trucker learns hard lesson on ID theft and trust

August 25, 2010 – 10:10 am

Dwayne had been a trucker for 38 years. He loved being on the road, and had traveled all over the country. He even loved it when little kids pulled their imaginary cords to get him to honk the horn of his big rig.

Dwayne was a careful driver, and had never even gotten so much as a parking ticket. So when his commercial driver’s license was suspended for 4 DUIs he never committed, Dwayne decided he had to know why.

After losing his job, his marriage, and his good credit, he wants others to learn from the one mistake he did make – not keeping an eye on his credit.

The police found that someone had stolen Dwayne’s personal information, and had used it to rack up the DUIs, and to obtain a fake commercial license, in addition to a credit card, which fueled the thief’s drunken escapades.

The man was caught and sentenced to 30 years in prison on charges of forgery, identity theft and misdemeanor crimes.

But although the thief has been caught, Dwayne still feels no justice has been served. He’s lost everything; the incident has completely wiped him out. He lost his wife, his job, his home and his truck.

Dwayne had met the man who stole his identity at a truck stop a year before the theft. The man claimed to own a small trucking company, and offered Dwayne a better-paying job and more time at home.

After accepting the man’s offer, Dwayne gave him a copy of his commercial driver’s license and his U.S. Department of Transportation medical card, a routine practice.

But Dwayne never dreamed the guy would scam him. He’s regained his license, but he’s had trouble obtaining work. But he hasn’t given up. And he wants his fellow truckers to learn to be more careful.

His advice? Make sure prospective employers are legitimate before handing over any documents, and stay away from smaller trucking companies.

Dwayne’s slowly getting his life back. But if he had been a LifeLock customer, he wouldn’t have had to worry. LifeLock searches the Internet and databases for any compromise of your personal information. If any is found, it’s squashed. Period.

Call LifeLock today. They’ll put you in the driver’s seat to take care of your good name and your credit.


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Check scams – learn to know them when you see them

August 24, 2010 – 11:23 am

Roberta is an older woman who lives alone, and who lives on a fixed income. She pinches every penny until Lincoln begs for mercy.

So she was super excited to receive a check in the mail, along with a letter congratulating her on winning a large lottery prize. She was assured the check was only a portion of the prize money, and that she should deposit the check, then call the given number for further instructions.

Robert did so, and got directions on how to wire the money back to the so-called sweepstakes sponsors, to cover taxes and service fees. She was told she’d then get the entire amount of her prize winnings.

But once Robert wired the money, she found out she’d been scammed. Not only was the check fraudulent, but now she’s responsible for the amount of the check and for the money wired to the scammers. Poor Robert. Her bank has now filed litigation against her for the money she owes the bank, since she didn’t have enough in her checking or savings accounts to cover the check.

If you receive such a check, look up the business or individual listed as the maker of the the document. Do not call the number listed on the check; this is typically a number that will call someone who is in on the scam. Call the bank the check is drawn on to verify the account number, and that the name on the account matches the name on the check. If the bank will cooperate, you may want to verify that there are sufficient funds in the account.

The most cautious way to handle it would be for your to instruct your bank to send the check for collection to the maker’s bank. They will then physically send the check to the maker, collect the funds for you and deposit the funds into your account once received.

The first sign that a check is fraudulent is that a legitimate sweepstakes would never require you to send money to cover fees. If you are pressured with a deadline, this is also a sign that the check is a scam. The most obvious red flag is whether or not you even entered the sweepstakes or played the lottery in the first place. If not, you are likely being scammed.

If you have any questions regarding whether or not a check is fraudulent, you can take it to your local police department of sheriff’s office. Law enforcement personnel will be able to tell you whether the check is phony.

Use extra caution and be sure – before you head to the bank.


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Don’t become a ‘prince of Nigeria’ – call LifeLock today

August 23, 2010 – 10:32 am

Most people have heard of identity theft, and despite the rising number of incidents of this crime each year, lots of people still believe it couldn’t happen to them.

Many times, people think they’re much too smart to get fooled by a thief’s latest scam. But even the smart can fall prey.

Take for example the case of Brad Johns. Brad is a well-known psychologist in his area, who is considered to be outstanding in his chosen profession and a very intelligent man. But a few years ago, he fell victim to identity theft.

Brad received an e-mail from Capt. Joshua Mbote from Nigeria, and he replied it. Brad soon found himself in the grips of the notorious Nigerian prince scam, which wound up costing him about $30,000. And to make matters worse, Brad was convicted of bank fraud and money laundering related to bogus checks sent to him as part of the scheme.

Although many of the come-ons that clog your in box are obviously ridiculous, thieves are getting more sophisticated in their methods.

Not only do they send you scam e-mails, but they’ll even send you warnings about scams – all in the hopes that you’ll open the e-mail and allow their malware to invade your computer and download your personal information.

If you believe you have been victimized by an identity thief, you’ll need to contact your local law enforcement agency, and notify the Federal Trade Commission by forwarding the e-mail to spam@uce.gov.

To protect yourself before anything happens to threaten your personal information, sign up with LifeLock. LifeLock will monitor for both credit and non-credit related threats to your good name. If any threats are found, you’ll be notified and LifeLock’s team will take the necessary steps to restore order to your life and your peace of mind.

Isn’t that worth the small price of $10 per month for standard service or $15 per month for premium? You bet it is.

Don’t gamble with your personal information. 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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Don’t sit and wait for something to happen – be proactive with LifeLock

August 20, 2010 – 10:47 am

You’re standing in line at the grocery store, red-faced and embarrassed. The cashier has refused your check because the store has your name down as someone who’s bounced a lot of checks.

And you’ve never bounced a check in your life.

Many people find out they’ve become the victim of identity theft in this way. They find that someone has taken their name, Social Security number or other piece of information, and used it to obtain bank accounts and credit cards.

If you find you’re a victim of this ever-growing crime, the Federal Trade Commission recommends that you take the following steps as soon as possible, keeping records of conversations and copies of correspondence.

• Place a fraud alert on your credit reports, and be sure to carefully review your reports for any fraudulent activity.
• Close the accounts you believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
• File a report with the police in the community where the theft took place.
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.

You can take these steps, on your own, or you can sign up with LifeLock before anything happens and you won’t ever have to go it alone.

LifeLock monitors the Internet for threats to your personal information, including monitoring for the sale or trade of it. If any fraudulent or questionable activity is found, you’ll be notified immediately.

If anything does happen on LifeLock’s watch, they’ll help you take the necessary steps to set things right. And they’ll spend up to $1 million to do so. That’s their $1 million guarantee.

There’s no need to sit around and wait for something to happen to you. Be proactive, take control, and protect yourself, your family, your home, your lifestyle and your reputation. 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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Actress Cameron Diaz listed as ‘most dangerous’

August 19, 2010 – 10:22 am

Cameron Diaz is now the most dangerous celebrity to search for online, replacing Jessica Biel, according to a Web security company, while President Barack Obama and Sarah Palin are among the safest.

Cybercriminals often use the names of popular celebrities to lure people to sites that are laden with malicious software. Anyone looking for the latest videos or pictures of a celebrity could wind up with a malware-ridden computer.

Searches for Diaz yield a 10 percent chance of winding up on a malicious site that has tested positive for spyware, adware, spam, phishing, viruses and malware.

ans searching for “Cameron Diaz,” “Cameron Diaz and downloads,” “Cameron Diaz and screen savers,” “Cameron Diaz and wallpaper,” Cameron Diaz and photos” and “Cameron Diaz and videos” are at risk of running into online threats designed to steal personal information. Clicking on these sites exposes consumers to the risk of downloading viruses and malware.

Additional searches for the actress involve the phrases “Knight and Day” and “Shrek Forever After.”

The second most dangerous celebrity is Julia Roberts, followed by Jessica Biel, Gisele Bundchen, Brad Pitt, Adriana Lima, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Tom Cruise, Heidi Klum, Penelope Cruz and Anna Paquin.

Cybercriminals follow the same hot topics as consumers, and use what they find to create traps. Be sure to surf safely, and that your computer is equipped with the latest security software.


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UN job scam targets military

August 18, 2010 – 10:23 am

The United Nations has posted an alert regarding a job scam targeting returning military personnel from deployment. The alert states that the scam promises a job with the UN, and asks for cash up-front for the recruitment process.

While the UN does recruit for jobs, a spokesman says the UN would never ask for money as part of the hiring process. There would never be a reason to ask for bank account numbers or any private financial information from a job applicant.

A spokesman from the Better Business Bureau said that other variations of the scam offer prizes, awards, certificates, scholarships or a lottery. The UN does not offer any awards and does not conduct a lottery.

You can protect yourself from employment scams. Be cautious, and understand how to protect your identity. Here are some tips to hep you avoid this trap.

• Guard your Social Security number. A typical scam is when a potential employer asks an applicant for his Social Security number to do a preliminary background check. If this happens to you, politely refuse. This is a red flag and is illegal. Employers cannot do a background check until after they have interviewed you.
• Never provide financial information. A credit check can be run without your financial information.
• Be attentive when applying for jobs online. Identity thieves often hack into job Web sites seeking information.
• Use caution when filling out online forms. These forms are the perfect source of information for identity thieves. If you must fill out an application online, be sure you’re on a legitimate and secure site. If you’re unsure, find out if you can send the information directly to the company.
• Beware of companies that request your direct deposit information before you’re hired.

It’s bad enough to be unemployed. But to add becoming a victim of identity theft on top of that makes it much worse. Use caution when you are searching for a job. And remember: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.


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LifeLock services provide a lot for a little

August 17, 2010 – 12:05 pm

Most people first heard about LifeLock through advertisements featuring company CEO Todd Davis, who gave out his Social Security number. Davis had no fear in doing so, he said, because he had confidence that LifeLock would provide the protection he needed.

But what are the benefits to signing up with LifeLock?

First of all, LifeLock will automatically order your free annual credit reports, which is a benefit since some people have expressed that they had difficulty in doing so with one or more of the credit bureaus.

LifeLock will also help you opt out of the pre-approved credit card offers, which will prevent thieves and dumpster divers from getting credit cards in your name.

LifeLock’s other services include providing you with help to retrieve the contents of your lost or stolen wallet, providing change of address alerts to prevent mail identity theft, online patrolling to catch the sale of your personal information, and a $1 million guarantee to offset the cost of identity theft if you become a victim while you’re enrolled in LifeLock.

Are there any drawbacks? Well, fraud alerts do complicate the credit approval process. Banks and other lenders must go through an additional verification process to make sure you’re the only one applying for credit, instant approval becomes difficult.You also may be unable to access some onion credit management services due to the fraud alert.

But the good news is that while it becomes a little more complicated for you to apply for additional credit, it is even more difficult for a thief to do so.

The cost of LifeLock’s services is reasonable: $10 per month for the standard service, and $15 for the amped-up Command Center.

Enrolling in LifeLock is simple. You can enroll by simply submitting your personal information and payment information. You can also enroll over the phone.

When compared to credit monitoring services, LifeLock is a better deal, offering prevention services, rather than just post-identity theft alerts.

For some, that $10 or $15 a month might seem like a frivolous expenditure. But for those who value not only their personal information but also their peace of mind, it’s a small price to pay.

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


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New scams popping up every day

August 16, 2010 – 10:06 am

The FBI has issued a warning to consumers to take extra caution with telemarketers. When consumers disclose personal or financial information over the telephone, they increase the risk of becoming victims of telemarketing fraud.

Be especially careful if the caller says, “Act now or the offer is void,” “You’ve won free gift (vacation or prize), but you have to pay postage and handling (or other charges),” “You must send money or give a credit card or bank account number” or “You can’t afford to miss this high-profile, no-risk offer.”

The Federal Trade Commission has closed a fraudulent domain/name registration business that has tricked people into paying fees to maintain their Web addresses. The Toronto-based company, Internet Listing Service, sent phony invoices to customers warning them that their Web addresses would expire if they didn’t pay the fee.

Malware, online programs designed to steal information on computers, incidents are on the rise. Among the most dangerous threats were “auto-run” attacks, which spread through portable storage devices and USB drives.

One of the fastest-growing areas of fraud is identity theft targeting children. Thieves target children’s Social Security numbers, and use them to fraudulently obtain credit and run up huge debt the child will never pay off. The number of incidents continues to rise, because this type of fraud is easily concealed and targets unsuspecting and vulnerable victims.

Protect yourself and your family today. Call LifeLock.

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


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