Good words. My other bit of advice - DO NOT give personal information to anyone that does not need it. Is that video rental club asking for your social security number? Dont give it to them. Is that store asking to see your drivers license in order to expedite a return? Dont give it to them. If they must see the license, cover the license number. If this is a problem, LIE! Protecting your identity by opposing privacy intrusions is hard; protecting your identity by massive misinformation is a solution.
Ryan Radia
· 1 year ago
I agree with you about LifeLock, Jim. This service is not worth it. Many banks already provide superior services for customers at a more reasonable price point. Identity theft is a risk and can be a hassle, but as long as you keep your SS# safe, as Robert points out, chances are you'll be fine.
Natalie Fonseca
· 1 year ago
Hi Jim,
Interesting post. I have a followup question I was hoping you would answer re: the credit agency reporting services (not LifeLock but the other monitoring services by TransUnion, Equifax, etc.)...other than thinking that it's not worth the money, are you saying that your credit rating can be hurt just by signing up for these services?
Also, couldn't agree more about being careful when it comes to handing out your SS number. I've been shocked by how often it's requested on just about any type of paperwork.
Jim Harper
· 1 year ago
Sorry if I was unclear. I was talking about putting fraud alerts on your file. It doesn't hurt your credit rating, but it makes your good credit rating harder to use, which is the point of having a good credit rating.
Keeping a fraud alert on your file as a routine matter is like have rock hard abs and never taking your shirt off. Not the best analogy ever - in fact, it's pretty bad - but it's what came to mind . . .
Natalie Fonseca
· 1 year ago
Thanks, Jim. I didn't understand how the fraud alert process worked -- your abs analogy did the trick. :-)
Samiullah
· 1 year ago
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David M.
· 6 months ago
These guys are as much of a scam as identity thieves themselves. A half hour on the phone with their member services department proved that to me. I had my info stolen and someone fraudulently signed up a LifeLock account in my name (ironic, no?). These guys wouldn't lift a finger to help me out, it was obvious that they could care less, they got their money and were happy.
Everyone, just so you know, all they do is sign up for that 90 credit fraud alert for you every 90 days. They sign you up with their phone number and then call you if they get a call. Guess what? You can just sign up your own phone number and get the exact same service for free. Just add a recurring event to your Google Calendar to fill out the online form quarterly and you're done. Not only is this cheaper, but you don't have to give all of your confidential info (e.g. SSN) to a bunch of scammers (e.g. LifeLock).
All Comments
Interesting post. I have a followup question I was hoping you would answer re: the credit agency reporting services (not LifeLock but the other monitoring services by TransUnion, Equifax, etc.)...other than thinking that it's not worth the money, are you saying that your credit rating can be hurt just by signing up for these services?
Also, couldn't agree more about being careful when it comes to handing out your SS number. I've been shocked by how often it's requested on just about any type of paperwork.
Keeping a fraud alert on your file as a routine matter is like have rock hard abs and never taking your shirt off. Not the best analogy ever - in fact, it's pretty bad - but it's what came to mind . . .
Everyone, just so you know, all they do is sign up for that 90 credit fraud alert for you every 90 days. They sign you up with their phone number and then call you if they get a call. Guess what? You can just sign up your own phone number and get the exact same service for free. Just add a recurring event to your Google Calendar to fill out the online form quarterly and you're done. Not only is this cheaper, but you don't have to give all of your confidential info (e.g. SSN) to a bunch of scammers (e.g. LifeLock).