LifeLock – Identity Theft Revenge
November 27, 2008 – 1:35 pm When most people think about identity theft they imagine someone stealing information and then using it to steal money. What if identity theft meant someone ruining your credit so your business wouldn’t survive. In some cases the identity thief doesn’t even want to steal your money but is happy just ruining your life. No one knows this better than David Welch.
A former landlord stole David Welch’s identity after a dispute over a $200 fine. Kevin Landivar thought that Welch should pay a $200 fee to have the house, that Welch was renting from Landivar, listed with a real-estate agent. The real-estate agent was none other than Landivar’s brother. Welch did not pay the $200 fee and this made Landivar very angry.
Landivar in his anger decided to steal Welch’s identity, not to steal money, but to ruin his credit by bombarding Welch with credit card and loan applications. This constant bombardment of applications made Welch’s credit score drop 170 points. This prevented Welch was increasing his credit line for his business and Welch almost had to close his business.
Welch hired a computer expert that was able to trace the crimes back to Landivar. Landivar was arrested and charged with a third-degree felony, which is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $5,000. Landivar worked as a software engineer for a NASA contractor. He was subsequently fired after the knowledge of the incident surfaced. Welch is seeking to receive at least $100,000 in restitution from Landivar.
LifeLock is the leader in identity theft protection. You shouldn’t have to go it alone when it comes to protecting your identity. LifeLock can help protect you from what happened to Mr. Welch. A LifeLock membership comes with a service that stops all pre-approved credit card and loan application from being sent. Have someone fighting on your side get LifeLock today. To receive a discount on a LifeLock membership use LifeLock promotion code, Defense.
Tags: Code, id, Identity, Life Lock, LifeLock, lifelock.com, promo, Promotion, Theft
7 Responses to “LifeLock – Identity Theft Revenge”
Servers him right. Sounds like the Owner of the property wanted the tenant to pay his brother to sell the house. I guess it would be nice to have a brother that wold make his tenants list the house with him. Too bad it didn’t work with this guy. I don’t think I would have paid the guy either.
By Jeffery on Dec 2, 2008
I wonder what the Computer expert did to find the guy that was behind the identity theft. Was he watching network traffic and saw his IP address popping up. I would assume that Welch suspected Landivar from the beginning. Me being the computer geek that I am would like to know.
By Charles Marrero on Dec 2, 2008
I almost would have respected the guy nmore if he would have just stolen the money from the guy rather than try and sink his business. That is more that just taking money out of someone’s pocket that’s getting people that have nothing to do with the disagreement fired.
By Adam Crawford on Dec 2, 2008
All that over some scumbag landlord wanting $200? That’s insane. How can people do things like that and expect to get away with them? So how does lifelock protect against this kind of thing anyway?
By BlogGrr on Dec 2, 2008
It’s pretty simple really. Lifelock watches over your credit. When an identity thief or psychotic landlord tries to open up a line of credit in your name, Lifelock nails them and stops the application before they can take anything. That’s why Todd Davis flashes his social security number all over the place. He’s pretty confident that identity thieves can’t do anything, even when he gives them his info and challenges them to just try it.
By Richard Mallory on Dec 2, 2008
Todd Davis has had a couple bumps on his credit but nothing serious. I think it’s amazing that he has been able to keep his identity and credit intact after thousands of attempts to steal his identity and money.
By William L. Logan on Dec 3, 2008
I like it that the guy was called a computer expert. What do you mean a computer expert. Was he some kind of LifeLock employee that has great skills as a computer hacker. Not getting it?
By Sharon on Dec 11, 2008