While we are talking today about being responsible with online communication and how we approach the topic with our kids, we should also talk about all the privacy and security that comes alone with having all of you information online. While the ease of purchasing and paying bills makes life so much more productive, it also presents a variety of security concerns that we often take for granted and ignore.

Just a few weeks ago I busted my phone to pieces leaving it a top the hood of my car and driving off. When I found the phone, and thankfully I found the phone, i was a lot more concerned with making sure my open apps and privacy codes were on because had I lost it for good, in one second my accounts could have been compromised by the most novice hacker. Its scary to live so much life online. We log into our bank accounts, our paypal accounts that connect to our credit cards, we purchase on amazon, we send money to friends and family and its all fine until someone with a savvy email that replicates a business you purchase from and turns it into a catch all for your social security or bank numbers.

LifeLock

You may have heard about LifeLock or have seen the commercials or radio spots. I know that I have. LifeLock is Identity Theft Protection that helps identify and be proactive regarding security risks for your family. At only $25 a month, you can get the following:

The industry’s most complete Identity Theft Protection service
24/7 online access to your monthly TransUnion credit score
Surveillance of unregulated global networks and file-sharing sites
The ULTIMATE in identity theft protection

LifeLock’s $1 Million Total Service Guarantee
Daily monitoring of all three Credit bureau reports
Checking and Savings account application alerts

I am one of those people that monitor my credit score and accounts a few times a year and up to date, have had relatively good luck with the companies that host my banks being on top of potential threats. In the past my spouse and I have had our credit card number stolen and used manually in a store across the country. Someone bought a sweater with it…odd, right? Our bank was smart enough to catch the weird out of town purchase and call us, which put a stop to it immediately. Recently I left my bank account at home and stopped and picked up fast food and had to use my credit card. My bank called me, while still sitting in the drive through, to ask if the purchase was OK. And even though our bank recognizes odd purchases and acts quickly to prevent fraud, that isn’t that case for EVERY account we have under our names.

The next few months I am going to be checking out LifeLock and seeing how the system works and reporting back with how I felt about it protecting my name. Right now I wanted to give you an overlook of the screens. When you sign in, they give you a day to day update on your credit scores (which is a great way to monitor your own financial footprint)

And you can also check alerts:

I will be sure to update you as things progress over the next few months. I know already LifeLock as let me know they have sent out letters on my behalf to remove me from unsolicited credit card applications, which is fantastic.

Have you ever had your online identity or financial information compromised?

~trisha

I have received compensation for my participation as a LifeLock Ambassador. All opinions are my own.

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