Comments on: I’m not the only one who sees the irony http://www.mckeay.net/2008/01/19/im-not-the-only-one-who-sees-the-irony/ The views of one man on security, privacy and anything else that catches his attention Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:13:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: Mark T. Palmer http://www.mckeay.net/2008/01/19/im-not-the-only-one-who-sees-the-irony/#comment-1081 Mark T. Palmer Fri, 25 Jan 2008 18:11:34 +0000 http://www.mckeay.net/2008/01/19/im-not-the-only-one-who-sees-the-irony/#comment-1081 So who's watching (or regulating) the credit/identity monitoring companies? I've considered the possible value these services might have for me as well, but I can't help thinking, "Whose watching the watchers?" What happens when one of these companies loses a tape with thousands of SSNs, account info, etc...? Thanks for the link to identitytheftlabs.com although why should I believe the information presented there when there is no way to identify who is operating the site. Who knows, maybe Gideon Yu and Launny Steffens own all three of these service/insurance providers. "Identity insurance"? Is that anything like "Alien Abduction Insurance"? No disrespect meant, but where does it end? I am not nay-saying the idea of proactively monitoring (being responsible?) for one's own identity and information. Reality is that there will always be incidents like "lost tapes" that go unreported because someone thought, "It was just one tape. No big deal." I enjoy your blog and look forward to continued discussions. Peace and Cheers, Mark T. Palmer So who’s watching (or regulating) the credit/identity monitoring companies? I’ve considered the possible value these services might have for me as well, but I can’t help thinking, “Whose watching the watchers?” What happens when one of these companies loses a tape with thousands of SSNs, account info, etc…? Thanks for the link to identitytheftlabs.com although why should I believe the information presented there when there is no way to identify who is operating the site. Who knows, maybe Gideon Yu and Launny Steffens own all three of these service/insurance providers.

“Identity insurance”? Is that anything like “Alien Abduction Insurance”? No disrespect meant, but where does it end?

I am not nay-saying the idea of proactively monitoring (being responsible?) for one’s own identity and information. Reality is that there will always be incidents like “lost tapes” that go unreported because someone thought, “It was just one tape. No big deal.”

I enjoy your blog and look forward to continued discussions.

Peace and Cheers,
Mark T. Palmer

]]> By: Ed - Alternatives to LifeLock http://www.mckeay.net/2008/01/19/im-not-the-only-one-who-sees-the-irony/#comment-1064 Ed - Alternatives to LifeLock Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:25:50 +0000 http://www.mckeay.net/2008/01/19/im-not-the-only-one-who-sees-the-irony/#comment-1064 The two main competitors to Lifelock are Trusted ID and the LoudSiren Debix team. If you choose the latter sign up thru LoudSiren and in addition to the $25,000 AIG insurance you will have a $1,000,000 Debix guarantee. The important questions to ask are what does the insurance cover, or how strong is the guarantee? How do the fraud alert systems differ in terms of approving your credit or declining a thief. What is the price in year one and in subsequent years. LoudSiren is the best value but Trusted Id does have an extra option to freeze your accounts that may be a selling feature for some. They do charge extra though, $154.5 compared to $99. Prices are cheaper in the first year 109.95 and $89 if you use an affiliate link such as the one at http://www.identitytheftlabs.com. Identity Theft Labs also has a good comparison chart and reviews. It is important to distinguish between sizzle and steak, cake and icing. All offerings have value added features. I have to agree with you one hundred percent. Our information is out there and is likely to be compromised. This is why identity insurance is a must. Fraud alerts are definitely the best protection available but not full proof. Credit monitoring is not proactive and not a solution. It can mitigate the damage though. Freezes are another option but are best reserved for those who have experienced an attack. Hope this gives you some ideas about what to talk about. The two main competitors to Lifelock are Trusted ID and the LoudSiren Debix team. If you choose the latter sign up thru LoudSiren and in addition to the $25,000 AIG insurance you will have a $1,000,000 Debix guarantee. The important questions to ask are what does the insurance cover, or how strong is the guarantee? How do the fraud alert systems differ in terms of approving your credit or declining a thief. What is the price in year one and in subsequent years. LoudSiren is the best value but Trusted Id does have an extra option to freeze your accounts that may be a selling feature for some. They do charge extra though, $154.5 compared to $99. Prices are cheaper in the first year 109.95 and $89 if you use an affiliate link such as the one at http://www.identitytheftlabs.com. Identity Theft Labs also has a good comparison chart and reviews. It is important to distinguish between sizzle and steak, cake and icing. All offerings have value added features.

I have to agree with you one hundred percent. Our information is out there and is likely to be compromised. This is why identity insurance is a must. Fraud alerts are definitely the best protection available but not full proof. Credit monitoring is not proactive and not a solution. It can mitigate the damage though. Freezes are another option but are best reserved for those who have experienced an attack. Hope this gives you some ideas about what to talk about.

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