CEO of ID Protection Firm Has ID Stolen 13 Times
Well, this can't be good for business.
You're the CEO of LifeLock, a company that promises to protect the identities of your customers against identity theft. Your service is guaranteed to work, so what better way to advertise than to post your name and social security on your Wesbite and on billboards across the country? That's just what LifeLock chief Todd Davis did. Surprise, surprise, he's had his identity stolen a total of 13 times.
Phoenix New Times reports that Davis has been the victim of identity theft no fewer than 13 times. This, in addition to the fact that LifeLock was recently ordered to pay $12 million for deceptive advertising, will do little to convince potential customers of the validity of the service.
In 2007, it was widely reported that Davis' publication of his social security number had resulted in a $500 loan being taken out in his name. Not only did Davis' company not protect him from this fraudulent activity, he didn't even find out about it until the unpaid account went to a collection agency. A year later, Davis said that this was the only time anything like that had ever happened to him. However, it seems that that is not necessarily true.
In October, just a few months after news of the first incident hit, someone opened up an AT&T account in Albany. In the fall of 2008, AT&T enlisted a debt collection agency to try and recover a debt of $2,390.
Over time, more fraudulent accounts were opened in Davis' name. These include a Verizon account in New York (at least $186), a Centerpoint Energy account (at least $122), Swiss Colony, a gift basket company ($312) and $573 to Credit One Bank. There also accounts in his name for a Gap credit card (balance zero) and one for a USA Savings Bank, also with a balance of zero. Phoenix New Times reports that collection agencies are pursuing Davis for the following payments: Bay Area Credit, $265; Associated Credit Services (x2), $207 and $213; and Enhanced Recovery Corporation (x2), $250 and $381.
Davis refused to comment on all of the incidents of identity theft and so did LifeLock.
Davis' methods of advertising echo a move by Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson that saw the popular presenter print his bank details in the newspaper. In 2007 the UK government lost two discs of data containing the details of millions of citizens. Naturally, everyone was quite upset about the whole thing but Jeremy couldn't understand why, dubbing the media frenzy a 'storm in a teacup.' Clarkson insisted that everyone's data was perfectly safe and in an attempt to prove his point, he published his bank details in his weekly newspaper column. He also printed his home address and what kind of car he drives. Unsurprisingly, Clarkson opened his bank statement to find that in an effort to set him straight, some kind soul had set up a direct debit of £500 to the British Diabetes Association. Soon after, the Top Gear personality admitted he had been wrong and that he had been punished for his mistake.
Read more on the LifeLock situation here.
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FAIL!!! LOL
I figured that someone would steal his identification.
However, I also figured that he wouldn't be stupid enough to leave the number up there after it happened once or twice.
13 times is pushing it.
When you consider the amount of people that were convinced because of him being so bold, compared against the small debts, it probably still worked in his favor.
No one company can stop ID theft the gov is gonna have to step in one day to end this.
Thought you guys meant ID that makes Quake etc
Well at least the people stealing his ID are being nice about it. Only 1 collection required of above a grand. What are those people buying, just a pair of jeans?
LOL this made my day. Thanks Jane.
Home time. Good night to you all.
Well at least the people stealing his ID are being nice about it. Only 1 collection required of above a grand. What are those people buying, just a pair of jeans?
Identity thieves tend to take many small transactions from many bank accounts, so the victims dont notice it in their statements.
This could be one of those times that "Any press is good press" doesn't work out so much. On the other hand, it's surprising no one opened a ton of porn accounts in his name for shits and giggles.
This could be one of those times that "Any press is good press" doesn't work out so much. On the other hand, it's surprising no one opened a ton of porn accounts in his name for shits and giggles.
On top of that, If they make one huge withdraw the bank itself might get involved right away and they just risk getting caught a lot more if they do huge transactions.
Irony - this is like the smart-ass cow that wanders onto the highway... only to get hit my the milk truck.
That's JUST like Clarkson to do something like that. I'm amazed he wasn't made fun of in Top Gear.
one of the worst failures i've seen in a while
sorry todd..the AT&T one was me
That's pretty sad.... Company isn't going to get much revenue now.
Fail again!
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm [...] =532659819
Fail again!http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm [...] =532659819
That was entertaining...
This is fail, but you'd think they'll quit after 13 times...I guess some people are just too stupid.
What an idiot,the dude got of pretty lucky people could have charged up a fortune.
A mother used her daughter's identity for the last 6 years and the sheriff and judge let her do it. Last December she online the mother got a credit card at a bank using a real social security number, her daughter's name and employer and a fake birth date. The bank writes it off and no charges since the States Attorney will not prosecute a "friend". Forget the FBI as the public pays the bills. The one time the feds did prosecute a 100 dollar fine and no restitution. FREE MONEY courtesy of State Judges.
google a brief history of an id thief.
Nothing is 100% safe in this world.
If you're not going to be applying for any type of credit you can freeze your credit report. If you do that no one can access it not even if you apply for a legit credit card or loan. You have to give the bureaus a specially issued personal identification number and a few days' notice to "unthaw" your report. Why pay LifeLock a dime? People who do are pretty stupid as far as I'm concered.
I'm trying so hard to hold it in... Wait for it... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!
I think this qualifies as an epic fail.
Haha this makes me giggle like a school girl! I always watched those commercials and the only thing I saw was giant bullzeyes with this guys ss number on it >
OUCH!
Even worse that his company clearly does NOTHING to stop this.
Nothing is 100% safe in this world.
Abstinence is.
Abstinence is.
The virgin Mary had a baby right? It's more like 99.999 percent.
Too funny,
I love the screenie that was posted.
I wonder if this CEO is getting paid up to $1 million for each identity theft?
The failure is the credit system based on a name and number with no real safeguards for the consumers. The system itself is entirely broken and needs to be reinvented.
I checked the website, it looks like he took down his info.