Lifelock....Identity theft prevention??

[huntingfanatic]

Does anyone have any experience with this company. I have seen it advertised and was curious. I have had several friends in the past couple of months have their identity stolen and just watching the crap they are having to do made me wonder if it was worth doing something.

[OPC Patrick]

I have not but am wondering the same thing. I once thought if you were careful (shred receipts and statements) and no on-line purchases from shady places it would be cool. Now I realize that all the companies I deal with have outsourced their back offices to the far corners of the earth plus prisons. Who knows who is seeing your stuff. Electric companies, department stores, credit card companies, Bass pro. Not to mention that shady guy @ Chili's that seemed to take forever to ring up my dinner.

[Codie]

I here their advertisements on WBAP all day long, but have never checked into it before. Would be worth its weight in gold if it really does do what it says

[Audra]

We've looked into it. It's $10 a month for one person (not you and your spouse). A friend of mine is using it, and she's very pleased. However, what they do (flag your account through the 3 reporting agencies), you can supposedly do directly through each of those agencies for free. Keith is checking into all of that so we can decide what to do.

[Codie]

All they do is flag your account through the credit agencies? I can do that in 10 minutes on the phone.

[sotx]

I have it and I am pleased with it.

[Landrover]

I am looking at the one Dave Ramsey promotes also. Yes, part of the service is flagging your accounts but it also those the "arguing" and negotiations for you if you do have a problem. For what I have learned that is VERY time intensive and expensive. Let me know what you guys find out or like or dislike about the various ones out there.

[Roy D Mercer]

Some things folks don't think about. Never carry your social security in your wallet or purse. If it is lost or stolen not only will they have your DL # they have your complete identity. Do not put your DL on your checks. Every time you write a check the merchant has enough information to ACH your account. Write as few a checks as possible and only to people you trust. You assume much more risk with a debit card than a credit card. I do not have a debit card and never will.
MADISON, Wis. (12/10/07)--Use the wrong payment method or the wrong piece of plastic when shopping online and someone you don't know could zero out your checking account balance in a matter of minutes

It's a fact: The safest form of payment online is a credit card, although there still are risks, particularly if you don't know the reputation of the seller. But if you're a die-hard debit card user and insist on using it for online purchases, you're putting yourself at much greater risk than if you use a credit card for those same purchases.

Why? Because debit cards are regulated by the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, which is weaker than the law that regulates credit cards. What you need to remember has to do with liability:

Credit card liability. Federal law protects you so your liability is no more than $50 (per card) if a crook uses your card fraudulently before you report the theft. Report the theft before the crook uses your card, and your liability is zero. Even if you're subject to the $50 liability, some issuers may waive that amount.
Debit card liability. Here's where it gets sticky. If you report the theft within two business days, your liability is limited to $50, and again, some issuers may waive that amount. However, after two business days, your liability jumps to $500. And if you don't report the loss or theft within 60 days of receiving your statement, your liability is unlimited.
Bottom line: Don't use a debit card for online purchases. Use a credit card on sites of reputable sellers.

[Landrover]

Don't use a debit card for online purchases. Use a credit card on sites of reputable sellers.

Was the case! If your debit card has the VISA or MASTERCARD, etc logo on it you have the same exact security as using a credit card. You can look at the VISA website as it is posted there for all to read. I think the change was about 3-4 years ago.

[JHT]

One angry employee could bring that company to its knees.

[bowhunterhelm]

My dad has it and he no longer gets junk mail.

He's pleased with it.

[Keith]

The way I understand Lifelock's method of keeping anyone from opening an account without your knowledge, is you give them a phone number and they call it before opening any line of credit. They also advertise that your amount of junk mail and credit card offers will decrease substantially. I am sure there is more to it, but that is understand. I have been considering it. I just wish it covered your entire household for $10.



BTW, use the code "Lock Me" for a free month.

[glen]

Audra- for some reason you can not cotact the 3 credit companies and put a password on your credit until you are a victim loose money. Guy in my unit just came out of Financial Crimes and I was asking him about it. I dont understand it or agree with it but that is how they do business. Call all three and make a fuss about it and I will too- maybe if enough people do it they will change

[glen]

Codiehedge- have you been a victim of fraud- if not please send me the info on flagging your acccount through the credit agencies. I will do it today and I reccomend everyone else do it.

[boos2]

I use it. The extra security is nice. I don't worry about it. It did keep my wife from getting a new credit card at some clothes store. She forgot we had it and didn't know the number to call to verify it was her. But, that was a plus, we don't need anymore credit cards. I have not noticed a drop in junk mail though. I get so much of that crap. It is 10 per adult, children are like 2 or 5 dollars. Children are actally big targets of identity thieves. They have clean credit and they don't check there credit for any reason.