From May 19, 2010

Thinking About Using Lifelock?

From www.techdirt.com

Ah, Lifelock. The company, which was recently fined $12 million for bogus advertising and absolutely dreadful security practices (the private data that Lifelock claimed it was helping you protect was not encrypted and was available to more than just authorized employees). Of course, the most amusing thing of all was how the CEO of the company, Todd Davis, plastered his Social Security Number everywhere to show how "safe" he felt with the company's service. In the past, we had noted that this didn't actually stop him from from being a victim of identity fraud -- when someone used his well publicized SSN to get a $500 loan in his name. Oh, and then there was the story about how the CEO then personally went to the home of the guy who did this, and "coerced" a confession out of him. In doing so, it ruined the police investigation and tainted the case.

Thankfully, it now turns out that there were twelve other opportunities to taint evidence. Yes, it's now come out that the CEO who proudly gave away his SSN because his own company would protect him has been a victim of identity fraud at least 13 times. And they say 13 is an unlucky number...

The stories go on and on, with lots of people using his Social Security Number to open up various accounts -- many of which it appears he didn't find out about until collections agencies came calling. Could there be any worse advertising for Lifelock than this? It's even pissing off the police

"It's unfortunate he chose to conduct business in that way," [Albany police] spokeswoman Phyllis Banks said. "It's not fair to [AT&T] because they're losing a pretty substantial amount of money."