OT: Life Lock - Worth it?

[sliverstorm]

It's difficult to figure out how exactly to do that. SSN is like a password of sorts; no system based around passcodes could be particularly better.

A system asking you secretive personal questions poses the challenge of, how do you gather all that secret info?

A biometric system that scans your fingerprint or retina can be spoofed, and once your retinal pattern or thumbprint is leaked, it isn't like you can ever change it. Thumbprint of course is a terrible choice as you leave prints on everything you touch, but it is the one people are most familiar with.

[MeterPig]

Originally Posted by sliverstorm

It's difficult to figure out how exactly to do that. SSN is like a password of sorts; no system based around passcodes could be particularly better.

A system asking you secretive personal questions poses the challenge of, how do you gather all that secret info?

A biometric system that scans your fingerprint or retina can be spoofed, and once your retinal pattern or thumbprint is leaked, it isn't like you can ever change it. Thumbprint of course is a terrible choice as you leave prints on everything you touch, but it is the one people are most familiar with.

Do you know how easy it is to get someone's SS number? It's scary easy.

[murgatroid42]

Originally Posted by Junglerot

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/201...dentity-theft/

From the article:

Lifelock promised in ads that its $10 monthly service would protect consumers from identity theft. The company also offered a $1 million guarantee to compensate customers for losses incurred if they became a victim after signing up for the service. The FTC called the claims bogus and accused LifeLock of operating a scam.

$1M of coverage sounds good, but probably too good to be true.

Originally Posted by ecubed

I was just thinking the other day that the BANKS should offer this service; free; as a SERVICE.

Yes, they should be responsible for not verifying identity when giving out loans or cash. So should credit card companies and merchants. But they do not.

Originally Posted by Greco

Never had a problem, just trying to justify the $300 year.

My home insurance policy offers identity theft protection for less than $10 a year, with a $2500 maximum payout. It's half a loaf. I would not pay $300 a year, but $10 for something might be worthwhile. On the other hand, might not be worthwhile, since the odds of identity theft are not that high, but $10 does not break the bank.

Long ago, when I was single, I received notification that someone named "Mrs. Murgatroid42" tried to apply for a personal loan from a lower-tier loan agency. It did not affect me, and I don't know who applied in my name. (probably a BSC ex-girlfriend??).

[RideFreak]

Originally Posted by sliverstorm

It's difficult to figure out how exactly to do that. SSN is like a password of sorts; no system based around passcodes could be particularly better.

A system asking you secretive personal questions poses the challenge of, how do you gather all that secret info?

A biometric system that scans your fingerprint or retina can be spoofed, and once your retinal pattern or thumbprint is leaked, it isn't like you can ever change it. Thumbprint of course is a terrible choice as you leave prints on everything you touch, but it is the one people are most familiar with.

Many already do that (ask secretive questions) that go back years, often obtained from old credit reports no longer in circulation but I'm not sure how secure that is.

I agrre with the above, the liability should fall on the companies that incorrectly extend credit and $$ to the thiefs.

[sliverstorm]

Originally Posted by MeterPig

Do you know how easy it is to get someone's SS number? It's scary easy.

Don't think I'm saying SSN is a good system. Just saying there are rather a shortage of good systems at all