This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of LifeLock Twitter for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
How hack-friendly is your password? That is a question that LifeLock wants you to think about. Did you know that if you only have 6 characters in your password and no symbol, it can take a professional hacker a fraction of a second to steal your password and gain access to your account and personal information? If you were to make your password 10 characters long and add one symbol, it ups the professional hacker’s time to around 20 days. That can mean the difference between being able to pay your mortgage and not being able to pay your mortgage.
Here are some risk factors for identity theft
- Households earning $100K and up have the highest rate of identity theft at 7.4%
- The average cost of to the victim of having their id stolen is over $1500
- 11.6 million adults were victims of identity fraud in 2011 with a total of $18 billion lost
I have known several people who were victims of identity theft, to varying degrees. I had a similar incident myself. My Social Security Number and a check forger’s license number were the same. I tried to use a check at a store and it was turned down and I had to call a number to find out why. In a computer somewhere the numbers were switched and I was the one being blamed for her actions. At any rate, it took a lot of time to get that mess straightened out. Although I was out no money, I still had that mess to deal with and the embarassment in the line. It is not something I want to go through again. Something so small caused me days of drama. Imagine what would have happened had she realized she could use my Social Security Number?
LifeLock can help protect you from identity theft and stop hackers in their tracks before things get ugly. Don’t be a victim. Check out LifeLock today.
After just having my bank account hacked into I know the importance of theft. Identity theft is even scarier. Thanks for sharing a way to protect yourself.
I just set up my account but haven’t used it yet. Hope to get some time today to set the rest of it up.
I went to school with this girl and when her husband left her and her kid, I let her stay with me. While I was at the beach, she stole some blank checks. She wrote a check for $500 or $600, I can’t exactly remember which amount but it was more than my house payment. Anyway, she got that cashed. Of course it bounced. So I had to go talk to the store that took it. Then go to my bank and show them it wasn’t my signature. Then I had to go to court. It was awful. The girl stood up and said she didn’t do it but she would pay for the store the money. The judge kind of rolled his eyes and told me I could leave. It was a process getting that straightened out. If it had been a stranger far away from me stealing my identity, I don’t know how I would handle that. It is great to know that their is a way to protect myself from that happening. Thanks for posting this.
Oh my gosh, that is horrible. Going to court is so nerve wrecking. And people love to take advantage of others…it especially sucks when you went out of your way to help her. 🙁 I am glad it got straightened out.
Dawn
It’s so scary how easily people can do this these days. Technology makes life a heck of a lot easier in some ways but the vast amount of info available makes it quite easy for these things to happen.
I saw a commercial for LifeLock last night on TV. Sounds like something I need to look into further.
I had my identity stolen and did not know it until I went to get a loan for my first house. It was a nightmare trying to straighten things out. I love these programs to help keep you safe.
Oh my gosh! That is horrible!
Dawn
We use LifeLock all the time! I hope everyone reads your post and wants to use it!
Had our bank account hacked and weird charges after using a debit card at Michaels. Several people all over OR had their info swiped … it was such a hassle! We didn’t lose money because the bank caught it and cancelled our card right away when they discovered the widespread issue. Finding out a card is cancelled when you try to use it is awful!! So important to find a service like this to protect yourself. 🙂
This really sounds wonderful!
I have seen them on TV and been curious how they work!
I think everyone needs a way to protect themselves. I have only heard great things about this company
great post – thanks for sharing
I love LifeLock and use it all the time!
Wow very scary they can still hack you with 10 letters and a symbol!
I definately need to get this, my mom has it. i’m a single mom of 2 and with money so tight nowadays it would be devastating to have my identity stolen, thanks for the post as an important reminder!