Identity theft is a thoroughly modern problem. These days, everyone has to worry about keeping their information secure. I have been the victim of debit card fraud multiple times in the last few years, and it’s not due to being lackadaisical with my information. The most spectacular of these was when I received a laptop which I did not purchase in the mail. I found out that a thief had stolen my information and tried to purchase a laptop for himself, which ended up being sent to me. I then discovered that they had drained over $1,000 from my checking account over the previous weeks – this was several years ago, so at that time I was still using my monthly paper statements to balance my checkbook and was unaware of what had happened. Of course, I use my online banking constantly now in order to monitor for such activity!
Indeed, many find themselves in the awkward position of having banking institutions or utility providers ask for sensitive information online such as credit card numbers, and then suffering the consequences if the information is hacked or not stored securely. Even if you don’t do any financial transactions online – which is very hard to avoid nowadays – your credit card number can still be ripped off by “Credit card skimmers” or by having your purse stolen. So what do we do to fight back? It’s a complex problem, and one that I feel will continue to grow and evolve as the world continues to move by ever faster.
If identity theft is a concern for you, then you may be curious about LifeLock. LifeLock is a membership-based program that offers the following services:
Alerts of potential threats–both credit and noncredit related
Online access to a personalized dashboard showing current threats
Relentless monitoring for exposure of your personal information
Member services with local phone support—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Stolen or lost wallet remediation services to help cancel and replace credit and debit cards
Comprehensive recovery services if you become a victim of identity theft on our watch.
If you’re curious to try out something like LifeLock, then how does a free one-year membership sound?!
Giveaway Time!
One lucky Contest Corner reader will win a one-year standard LifeLock membership! Entry is easy via the Rafflecopter form below:
Rules, regulations, and other important stuff: Giveaway is open to residents of the United States, 18+, and ends on October 18th, 2012 at 12:01 AM EST. Winners will be chosen through Rafflecopter the same day and notified via email. Winner has 48 hours to respond to our notification email, or a new winner will be chosen in their place. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. We hereby release Facebook of any liability. By entering this giveaway, you are releasing Facebook and understand that you are providing information to Contest Corner and the giveaway sponsor, not Facebook. Contest Corner is not responsible for late entries or entries lost due to technical malfunctions. Please see our Privacy Policy and Disclosure for further details on our site’s policies. I received a one-year LifeLock membership for my participation in this campaign.
I love that this company not only tracks the credit cards, but also monitors the utilities. That never occurred to me that my info could be used to set up accounts for other people homes. Thanks!
I like they are available 24 hours a day.
I learned that the ultimate membership costs $275/yr, and also that they are a partner with UPromise, and I could earn 16%. Thanks for the giveaway!
I learned that their technology protects you 24/7/365!
I found out that they do Advanced Internet Monitoring -they patrol over 10,000 criminal Internet sites for the illegal selling or trading of your information. I LOVE THAT IDEA!
learned that you can enroll additional family members easily
brich22 at earthlink dot net