LifeLock’s Identity Theft Protection Program
April 4, 2008 – 3:50 pmIf it rained soup, I’d have a fork. That’s an expression country folks use for that feeling we all get sometimes–the feeling that we’ve somehow angered the gods.
Just imagine how all those stressed-out city dwellers felt when they finally got away from it all and indulged in a skiing getaway at Vermont’s luxurious Okemo Mountain Resort. They probably returned to their real-world lives feeling all upbeat and refreshed…and then found out that as they were slapping down their plastic to pay for their long-awaited R and R, identity thieves were helping themselves to the vacationers’ names, credit card account numbers and expiration dates.
And, suddenly, the vacationers’ hopeful, peaceful new feeling is replaced by the feeling that the angry gods are ladling out the soup and denying them spoons.
Almost eight million records lost in data breaches so far this year
It’s early April, 2008 as I write this blog, and already close to eight million records have been stolen or exposed this year (and that’s just in the US). The most recent Okemo data breach happened in February, and affected more than 28,000 records. It turns out that in 2006, information from another 18,000 individual accounts was stolen.
It’s painfully clear that nobody really has total control of their identity anymore. Shredding mail, locking mailboxes, in-home safes, firewalls, anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-malware…what good is it if corporate or government agencies don’t give you any identity theft protection?
The truth is that all of that is only a starting point that reduces your chances of becoming an identity theft victim. But for more complete identity theft protection, you need to enroll in an identity theft protection like LifeLock offers.
What LifeLock’s identity theft protection program will do for you
Right from the beginning, you need to know that what LifeLock charges for, you could do yourself without charge. And you could change your car’s oil, and cut your own hair, too; what you’re paying for is expertise and convenience.
If your identity has been stolen, or if you think you’re at risk (and who isn’t?), LifeLock will contact the credit bureaus for you, and ask them to place fraud alerts on your file. That way, if anyone applies for new credit using your information, the prospective creditor is required to contact you before they give approval. Now you’re in control. By the way, those fraud alerts expire every 90 days, so unless you tell them not to, LifeLock will automatically have them renewed for you.
They’ll also ask that your credit report be sent to you from all the major credit bureaus, so you can audit it for errors and suspicious activity.
Then, they’ll contact the Direct Marketing Association, and ask them to take your name off the lists used for all those phone solicitation calls and pre-approved credit card offers you get in the mail. Both are common sources of information for identity thieves.
And, if your wallet gets lost or stolen, call LifeLock. Their WalletLock program comes with your enrollment at no additional cost. They’re available 24/7 to help you cancel your credit and bank cards and get them replaced. They’ll even help you get a new driver’s license, Social Security card, and insurance cards. If you’re traveling when your stuff gets lost or stolen, they’ll even replace your travelers’ checks, passport and visas, if you need them to.
If you decide to enroll in LifeLock’s identity theft protection program, you can go ahead and enjoy your vacation without worrying about angering the gods. LifeLock’s got you covered.
