Comments on: A LifeLock (TM) Alternative: Free DIY Identity Theft Protection http://www.keycruncher.com/blog/2007/10/02/a-lifelocktm-alternative-free-diy-identity-theft-protection/ Eclectic Commentary on Technology & Business by Dennis Little Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:32:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Dennis Little http://www.keycruncher.com/blog/2007/10/02/a-lifelocktm-alternative-free-diy-identity-theft-protection/comment-page-1/#comment-1793 Dennis Little Wed, 03 Oct 2007 12:33:38 +0000 http://keycruncher.com/blog/2007/10/02/a-lifelocktm-alternative-free-diy-identity-theft-protection/#comment-1793 Thanks Doug. I have been using this method for several months now and it is working quite well. By putting an alert on your account, you also cut down on the amount of preapproved junk mail that you receive. I have not seen much of a downturn there because I already have myself signed up for a "do not mail" list with the credit bureaus. You can find info on that service here: http://www.ftc.gov/privacy/protect.shtm Recently, I set up a new bank account with PSECU and the alert worked exactly as expected. I received a phone call, verified some information "that only I should now" and the account was then created. All in all, the process took less then 3 minutes and it was nice to see it the process working. For now, yes, you can continue to sign up for the service every 90 days. The credit bureaus may change this at some point because, quite frankly, they are in the business of SELLING your information and do not like it when you opt out, but I am not so sure that is going to happen. I believe the I read recently that Experian plans to offer full permanent locking to anyone in any state for the same $10 yearly fee. I think that is going to push the other bureaus to follow suit. Unfortunately, I could not find the article that detailed these plans or I would have cited it. Thanks Doug. I have been using this method for several months now and it is working quite well. By putting an alert on your account, you also cut down on the amount of preapproved junk mail that you receive. I have not seen much of a downturn there because I already have myself signed up for a “do not mail” list with the credit bureaus. You can find info on that service here: http://www.ftc.gov/privacy/protect.shtm

Recently, I set up a new bank account with PSECU and the alert worked exactly as expected. I received a phone call, verified some information “that only I should now” and the account was then created. All in all, the process took less then 3 minutes and it was nice to see it the process working.

For now, yes, you can continue to sign up for the service every 90 days. The credit bureaus may change this at some point because, quite frankly, they are in the business of SELLING your information and do not like it when you opt out, but I am not so sure that is going to happen. I believe the I read recently that Experian plans to offer full permanent locking to anyone in any state for the same $10 yearly fee. I think that is going to push the other bureaus to follow suit. Unfortunately, I could not find the article that detailed these plans or I would have cited it.

]]> By: Doug http://www.keycruncher.com/blog/2007/10/02/a-lifelocktm-alternative-free-diy-identity-theft-protection/comment-page-1/#comment-1766 Doug Wed, 03 Oct 2007 00:59:36 +0000 http://keycruncher.com/blog/2007/10/02/a-lifelocktm-alternative-free-diy-identity-theft-protection/#comment-1766 Nice research and advice! I have used AnnualCreditReport.com before, but I got all three services at one time. That's a great "hack" on how to get free round-the-year credit reports! I also had no clue about the free 90 day credit monitoring - and I'm quite surprised that you can keep using it after your 90 days is up. Although, I had heard some stories that the calls from the monitoring services can be bothersome, I don't remember what the stories were right now. Nice research and advice! I have used AnnualCreditReport.com before, but I got all three services at one time. That’s a great “hack” on how to get free round-the-year credit reports!

I also had no clue about the free 90 day credit monitoring – and I’m quite surprised that you can keep using it after your 90 days is up. Although, I had heard some stories that the calls from the monitoring services can be bothersome, I don’t remember what the stories were right now.

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