Learning From The Todd Davis Social Security Affair.
January 21st, 2011

When Todd Davis waved his social security number in front of the cameras to show his ‘total belief’ in the Lifelock service at least 13 identity thieves said “thank you very much” and promptly stole the Lifelock CEO’s identity.

Loans, cell phone and utility accounts up and down the country were opened up in his name – not to mention numerous items purchased on credit – blowing his and the companies claims out of the water.

As Davis’ local paper, the Phoenix New Times said when their journalists uncovered the truth “His identity hasn’t been merely abused since he began advertising his SSN — it’s been gang raped.”

Not surprisingly the FTC was none too impressed and promptly sued the self proclaimed #1 identity theft protection service for deceptive advertising and they were fined $35,000,000 although they only had $12,000,000 in the bank at the time so the FTC agreed to settle for that with the right to take more if it found Lifelock had ‘hidden accounts’ offshore.

The FTC Chairman Joe Leibowitz called Davis and his company “con artists” as he handed out the largest fine in the FTC’s history.

Apart from proving to savvy consumers that the Lifelock service clearly does not work and is nothing more than a scam, the Todd Davis social security number scandal does provide a lesson to folk looking to be proactive in protecting their identity.

Don’t give out your social security number unless it is absolutely necessary!

Your tax form is necessary, your new employer asking for it is also a given but someone on the phone claiming to be your landlord or doing a survey for the Gov. etc. isn’t.

Always ask why its needed, what they will do with it, how will your data be secured, who will have access to it etc. There is also no reason to carry your social security card in your wallet or purse in case you lose it or have it stolen. It should be kept safe and secure in the home and away from prying eyes.

As the Todd Davis affair so spectacularly proved, paying a company a monthly fee for the rest of your life to protect your identity is at best a waste of money and at worse, a scam.

Even with the so called ‘new improved service’ Lifelock failed miserably in it’s attempts to protect it’s own CEO so what chance your average Joe Bloggs customer?

This article brought to you by http://www.mattysgiftshop.com