August 29, 2007 - Lifelock CEO Todd Davis today announced that his company, Lifelock the leading provider of identity theft prevention service have partnered with Chicago Patrolmen’s Federal Credit Union to protect its members and their families from identity theft.  With this partnership, Lifelock will offer a substantial savings to CPFCU’s members.

According to Davis this is by far their largest law enforcement agencies partnership to date.

As for CPFCU CEO Scott Arney, they have affiliated with Lifelock to protect them from identity theft which is the fastest growing crime in America.

I was prompted to write this article to warn people of these types of emails.  I have been doing business online for years and yesterday I received another one of these emails and was scared when I first saw it.  Here’s the email and Boy do they make it look so real.    (more…)

To distinguish the differences between LifeLock and typical credit monitoring services, we’ll begin by taking a look at what the credit monitoring services do for you. Every time you make application for credit, sign up for utility services such as electric or gas service, buy automobile insurance, and often when you submit an employment application, a copy of your credit history will be obtained from one of the credit reporting agencies. These files are maintained by the three major credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. There are other smaller credit reporting agencies, but the huge majority of requests for credit histories are made to one or more of those three.

Credit monitoring companies charge a monthly fee allowing you to view the information contained in your credit report files. As you may know, federal law permits you to receive copies of your credit report once every year for free. You may also get a free copy if you have been turned down for credit. It would seem prudent, however, to be able to check your report more often, in the event that erroneous information gets on your credit report, or the growing possibility of identity theft. It is a well documented fact that a majority of credit files maintained by the big three agencies contain erroneous information. With continuing credit monitoring you are more likely to catch and correct (or at least try to correct) the mistake. It’s worth noting that the most advertised and used credit monitoring services are affiliates of the big three.  (more…)

One of the latest phishing schemes is emails announcing that you have just received an online greeting card. They arrive in your in-box with subject headings like, “You’ve received an ecard (or greeting ecard) from a Neighbour (College, Family Member, Class Mate or other person)!”Now there are indeed legitimate greeting card companies that people use to send online ecards.

However, inside the email, you get two ways to get the ecard: clicking a link or accessing the companies’ website and enter with an access code that’s included in the email.However, these fake ecards with phishing schemes basically send you a link – and it’s full of mumbo-jumbo like lots and lots of numbers. And there’s no main website with a log in combination (user ID and password). The goal: to capture your personal and financial information (whatever they can get). (more…)

Identity theft is something we all worry about in today’s world. Credit cards and debit cards are used by more people than just cash. It is a lot more convenient to use your bank card or a credit card to pay for expenses than it is to constantly keep cash on you.  Even if one uses cash all of the time they could still have their identity stolen through other ways such as by someone else using their social security number to get loans, credit cards, and more. The numbers of people buying merchandise and necessities online are increasing every year. It is a great, convenient, and time saving way to buy what you need and shop around without leaving the comfort of your own home.  (more…)

As adults, we know that we need to continuously monitor our financial business, check our credit, and be vigilant for signs of identity theft. Slowly, as a society, we are learning to recognize the signs of the possible theft of our identity and we are learning to act fast before it ruins our credit and wipes out our savings and financial security. Identity thieves are also realizing that we are becoming more attuned to the signs of identity theft, and thus they have zeroed in on a new type of victim; children.

Unfortunately, because we do not monitor our children’s identity the same way we monitor our own, identity thieves are readily learning how to make the most of it and are pin pointing children as a source for identity theft. Upon applying for their first job or a student loan, kids are now realizing that their good name is gone before they even get out into the world. For years, someone has been living off their once perfect credit and undermining all the life lessons that we teach our children. “Work hard in school, go to college, and get a good job” is no longer a guarantee that their world will be okay. Now the speech is more like work hard in school, get into a good college, and hopefully there isn’t anyone out there pretending to be you who will mess that all up for you.”  (more…)

Your SSN, otherwise known as your personal id number, is what the US government uses in order to provide  retirement benefits. Also, if you plan on getting yourself a job (and who doesn’t!), having a social security number is compulsory, because everyone with a job has got to pay into the social security system.

That’s not all though - there are plenty of other things where an SSN comes in useful. For instance, you’ll have to supply your social security number when opening a bank account. It’s also required when applying for a driver’s license or a credit card.

A few corporations and Government Agencies have the right to actually demand for your SSN, too. These include the Tax Department, the Department of Motor vehicles and the Welfare department. But keep in mind, that it’s always better to give your social security number only when it’s needed. The less it’s in circulation, the slimmer the chances of it being stolen.

Hence, it’s vital that you safeguard your SSN, because they’re one of the primary targets of identity theft. (more…)

Most financial institutions offer online banking services now. However, not all of them are safe. And not all online entities who claim to be financial institutions - and safe ones at that - are, in this world of online theft, especially identity theft. So remember these safe practices for your online banking.

1) Check out financial institutions online thoroughly before pursuing any type of online banking with them. Begin by searching the About Us or Contact Us web page on the site to find street address (not a P.O. Box), phone number and other complete info. Then check the Better Business Bureau website at www.bbb.org  to make sure there are no or very little legitimate complaints filed against the company’s website link and address.

2) As you register for accounts, you should be prompted to click a confirmation link inside a reply email. So watch for it. And afterwards, always log in to the site from your browser, not any email links. Too many thieves and unscrupulous people pose as financial entities in fake emails, inviting you to click their links and submit your access info (user name and password). Then they log in the real banking site and steal your identity and funds. So beware! And when in doubt, call the bank direct - -not from the number on the email, but from the real website or other documentation you have on file (like an invoice or statement that arrived in the postal mail). (more…)