This is a sponsored post on behalf of LifeLock. Though I was compensated for my time, all opinions are my own.
It seems like every time you turn around companies are being breached and our personal information is being exposed. The scariest thing? It can happen to anyone. Just yesterday I came home to a letter from our credit union to inform us that my husband’s debit card had been compromised. It wasn’t in the media like Target, Home Depot, and Jimmy Johns. In fact, the Identity Theft Resource Center states that we’ve already had 395 data breaches in the U.S. already this year (which the majority is never even reported by the media)!! The scary thing isnot only do they get access to our credit card and make fraudulent charges, but they also can gain access to personal information such as your address, birthdays and socials. Studies show that individuals who receive a data breach notification letter are more than four times as likely to become victims of identity theft. In addition, average out-of-pocket costs are over 200% higher for victims of data breach.
*Image credit to PCworld.com
Though there isn’t much we can do as individuals to prevent breaches, there are some things we can do to protect ourselves:
- Monitor your transactions: Keep an eye on the activity on your credit and debit card accounts, looking for any charges that don’t seem to be yours.
- Report suspicious transactions immediately: If you see a card transaction—even a small one—that doesn’t look right, contact the card issuer immediately. The phone number is on the back of your card.
- Order a new debit card: If you believe your debit card number was compromised, don’t wait for fraudulent charges to start appearing on your statement. Request a new card from your bank. This way, you reduce the chances of a criminal depleting your bank account, and you avoid potential challenges in recovering your funds. Credit cards offer more protection and less risk because funds are not directly withdrawn from your bank account as they are with a debit card.
- Follow the story: Investigation of this crime is still under way. Watch for news and communication from Home Depot.
- Consider using an identity protection service: LifeLock provides identity protection products and services you can count on. In fact, with LifeLock Advantage™ and LifeLock Ultimate Plus™, we can help you detect fraudulent activity with alerts for cash withdrawals, balance transfers and large purchases within our extensive network.
LifeLock has many different options to choice from to fit your needs: LifeLock Standard™ offers identity theft protection helps proactively safeguard your credit, your finances and your good name with vigilant services that alert you of potential threats before the damage is done. If identity thieves steal your personal information, they could take out a mortgage, commit tax fraud, open new credit accounts and a whole lot more.
LifeLock Advantage™ Identity Theft Protection: Enhanced protection for an always-connected world. Technology is part of your life.You bank online. You search, shop, text and share. But the more you’re connected, the more everything is connected to everything about you. Today’s criminals are smart. They can sit at home with their computers – and take what’s yours and make it their own. That’s why you should activate your LifeLock Advantage™ membership today.
LifeLock Ultimate Plus™ Identity Theft Protection: The leading identity theft protection from the industry leader. You’ve worked hard. You’ve sacrificed and you’ve saved. Now you want to do everything you can to protect your finances, your family and your future.Today’s modern criminals don’t care if you’re the lifeline for your family. To them, you’re just another goldmine. And remember, the more digitally connected you are, the more connected they are. Get the protection and convenience of LifeLock Ultimate Plus™ membership so you can get on with your life.
Be sure to sign-up for LifeLock and use code “BreachWatch” for a 10% Discount!!
I know I need to make sure I pay attention so this doesn’t happen to me. I tend to get distracted and that isn’t helpful!
I check my bank account every day. I am so paranoid about anything happening.
I pay somewhat attention to my bank accounts. Thankfully, my banks are also looking out for me. I do need to invest in Lifelock, though. It’s such a great service and would provide even more peace of mind.
We recently had an account of ours hacked, and it was such a pain in the rear to get it resoloved. Thankfully, the money was deposited back into our account but it was because we caught it in time. Had we waited another day or so, we might not have been so lucky so we’ve gotten to where we check daily now….just to make sure things aren’t happening.
I’m pretty good about watching my account transactions. However, I still have LifeLock for extra peace of mind.
Data breaches are so scary. It seems like I am hearing about a new one on TV just about every week now. I’m glad there are services like Lifelock to help protect my privacy.
It does seem like there are a lot of data breaches lately. Its good to know that there is protection out there for those who need it.
We use lifelock! Someone once used my social security number so since then we have been extra careful!
LifeLock’s business must be booming. It seems like every time I turn on the news, another store’s been hit.
Great info, it seems like everywhere is having data breaches lately, its good to protect ourselves.
I will be getting lifelock! Best to have piece of mind
So many great personal security companies out there. Just need to find what fits us best.
I’ll look into LifeLock. I certainly need to find one that works for us.
I am so glad for products like this. We were the victim of identity theft before. NO fun!
Lifelock is such a great tool. It’s so scary things that go on nowadays, and it can happen to ANYONE at ANYTIME. Lifelock is great to protect it all!
Thank you for sharing information about LifeLock. Just the other day I heard about how another big chain store was hacked. Sad. And scary!
I love lifelock! I have had to deal with identity theft in the past and we make sure we don’t have to worry about it now.
This sounds like a great idea. It seems like everyday I am seeing something on the news about a new data breech.
All of the online hacking definitely has me nervous! Thanks to LifeLock for staying of top of things
I’ve been thinking about getting LifeLock a lot lately. All of these data breaches that are happening are really scary!
Identity theft is sooo scary. I love Lifelock.
I use Lifelock too. I’ve had my identity stolen before and I’ll never go without Lifelock again.
We definitely need to get Life Lock. So many big companies are getting hacked – who knows who has our info.
I had a suspicious thing happen w/my debit card and I cancelled it instantly. I thought it would be a pain to get a new one, but it was really fast!
It’s scary how often data breaches happen anymore. I’m tempted to just start using cash more often.
I knew about home depot and target but had no clue about Jimmy Johns. Makes one edgy on using cards these days. I tend to withdraw cash these days and not use my card at all.
Between my husband and myself, we try to be diligent about keeping on top of things, but it does scare me. I keep hearing about all these breaches. Sigh.
I set up identity theft protection up for myself.. these companies are always breaching our info! It’s getting a little tiring
I have definitely noticed more and more of these things showing up in the news. Scary. I know this service is great!
It is so scary the way people can “hack” you nowadays. So many things to watch out for!!
I’m sure this is something I could benefit from. I’m so trusting of others and have a “it can’t happen to me” kind of attitude.