Type: Check Scams
Method of Delivery: Consumers report receiving checks in the mail, allegedly for winning a sweepstakes, lottery, or promotion.
Primary Region Effected: National

Scam Characteristics: These checks all look very official and communicate urgency with words such as “Final Notification.” That’s designed to stop the consumer from thinking about what the scammers want the person to do. What’s common to all the variations of this scam is that the consumer is urged to deposit the check, and then write another check from the consumer’s bank account to cover alleged taxes or fees. The check that was deposited turns out to be worthless while the check sent by the consumer is good, and that money ends up being unrecoverable.

Recommended Precautions (How to avoid a counterfeit check scam):

• Throw away any offer that asks you to pay for a prize or a gift. If it’s free or a gift, you shouldn’t have to pay for it. Free is free.
• Resist the urge to enter foreign lotteries. It’s illegal to play a foreign lottery through the mail or the telephone, and most foreign lottery solicitations are phony.
• Know who you’re dealing with, and never wire money to strangers.
• If you’re selling something, don’t accept a check for more than the selling price, no matter how tempting the offer or how convincing the story. Ask the buyer to write the check for the correct amount. If the buyer refuses to send the correct amount, return the check. Don’t send the merchandise.
• As a seller, you can suggest an alternative way for the buyer to pay, like an escrow service or online payment service. There may be a charge for an escrow service. If the buyer insists on using a particular escrow or online payment service you’ve never heard of, check it out. Visit its website, and read its terms of agreement and privacy policy. Call the customer service line. If there isn’t one — or if you call and can’t get answers about the service’s reliability — don’t use the service. To learn more about escrow services and online payment systems, visit ftc.gov/onlineshopping.
• If you accept payment by check, ask for a check drawn on a local bank, or a bank with a local branch. That way, you can make a personal visit to make sure the check is valid. If that’s not possible, call the bank where the check was purchased, and ask if it is valid. Get the bank’s phone number from directory assistance or an Internet site that you know and trust, not from the check or from the person who gave you the check.
• If the buyer insists that you wire back funds, end the transaction immediately. Legitimate buyers don’t pressure you to send money by wire transfer services. In addition, you have little recourse if there’s a problem with a wire transaction.
• Resist any pressure to “act now.” If the buyer’s offer is good now, it should be good after the check clears.
  For more information on Check Scams, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website and read – Giving the Bounce to Counterfeit Check Scams

Todd Davis, our CEO here at LifeLock, will answer questions live from the public on the company’s first online town hall meeting tomorrow Friday, June 20 at 10:00 AM PST. If you are interested in joing the meeting and asking Todd a question, please register at LifeLock Asks where you will receive dial-in and webinar instructions.

Recently, LifeLock has been the focus of numerous articles and blogs in regards to lawsuits, the LifeLock service and Todd’s personal information being used. Todd knows this medium will provide consumers around the world the opportunity to ask questions regarding all these topics and more.

In a quote from Todd, “LifeLock has always been transparent when answering questions. Now it is time for consumers to get the answers they need and hear the truth. I’m tired of hearing and reading things that are clearly made up or stretch the truth.”

We all are looking forward to the meeting and answering everyone’s questions!

Michigan International Speedway has announced a partnership with LifeLock to present the LifeLock 400, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at MIS this weekend on Sunday, June 15th. The Father’s Day race will kick off the track’s 40th season of racing. Tickets to the LifeLock 400 are on sale by calling the speedway’s Ticket Hotline at 800-354-1010 or logging onto MISpeedway.com. Kasey Kahne, LifeLock spokesman and last week’s winner, will be behind the wheel of the LifeLock / Bud # 9 Dodge Charger.

You can find more information about LifeLock and its racing sponsorships at the LifeLock racing website.

The crime of identity theft occurs when someone, without your knowledge, fraudulently acquires a piece of your personal information and uses it to obtain goods, services or credit. This is a fairly new and rapidly evolving area of criminal activity. Identity thieves are continuously finding new ways to work. Consumers should be aware of the following tactics that are currently being used to gather identifying information for fraudulent use:

Types of Identity Theft

Following are the types of identity theft presently known to be commonly employed. They include 37 varieties grouped in 3 main categories:

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s astounding to think that back in the day (which was a Wednesday) when I started working here less than 7 months ago LifeLock’s member base was at 350,000. Well, as of last week we’re now over 1,000,000 members (more than doubling our memberships since January)! It goes to show what truly great services LifeLock offers and the incredible people at the company behind it that make this happen!

The ongoing explosive growth of LifeLock is honestly amazing. I remember the first day I started at LifeLock the company was scattered around in about 25+ executive suites on the ninth floor. On my fourth day the company officially moved to its own floor and on day five we had already officially outgrown the space! Luckily we’ll soon be taking up an additional floor as well.

The LifeLock offices are currently located in the Hayden Ferry Lake complex in Tempe, Arizona. The building itself is amazing - very modern and sleek. There are incredible views of the McDowell Mountains out of the east side, and astounding sunset views out of the west side. Being nestled in between Tempe Beach Park, Mill Ave and Arizona State University is great as well - there are always events going on.

I’ll bring in a digital camera to get some interior shots, but until then I think I need to devise a plan to get roof access for the Tempe fireworks show on the 4th of July.