Credit/ID Monitoring

[Batteriesnare]

First off, I hate thieves!

With the data breach of Anthem - of which I'm a member - I've been looking for input on credit and ID monitoring from companies like LifeLock. Seems to me that there are very mixed reviews on the effectiveness and service from these companies and that it may not be worth the cost, even if your ID is stolen. I do a very thorough job of watching our accounts (debit, credit, investments) but short of the three free annual credit reports, I don't have much oversight on new, fraudulent accounts being opened with my information. My questions are:

1. Is this service/protection worth while or a waste of time and money? - particularly interested if you've had to deal with your identity being stolen.
2. Do you have a service in this field that you recommend? What has been your experience with their service and resolution on issues?
3. What proactive steps can I take to prevent and monitor for fraudulent accounts being created with my info?


Thanks for your time any any input you can offer!

[brutal]

Keep your credit info locked with all three. That shouldn't cost you anything. Unlock if you need to apply for credit or a thorough background check is needed.

I subscribe to Experian credit monitoring for $14.95/mo. Seemed to be the best deal going at the time.

P.S. Didn't the pres of Lifelock, the guy that posted his SSN on all the billboards, get jacked up?

[TFOGGER]

I am also an Anthem member. They should be offering to pay for a year of monitoring shortly.

excerpt from an email I received:

Please be aware that Anthem, Inc., the parent company of one of our health insurance providers, was recently the victim of a highly sophisticated cyber attack. Anthem has informed us that its member data was accessed, which could include our employees. Please note the attack was not directed at CU's servers, but since a large number of CU employees were affected, we are sharing what we know.

We are working closely with Anthem to better understand the impact on members. Here is what we now know:

• Once Anthem determined it was the victim of a cyber attack, it immediately notified federal law enforcement officials and shared the indicators of compromise with the HITRUST C3 (Cyber Threat Intelligence and Incident Coordination Center).
• The information accessed includes member names, member health ID numbers/Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses and employment information. Social Security numbers were only included in a subset of those affected.
• Anthem is still working to determine which members' Social Security numbers were accessed.
• Anthem's investigation to date shows that no credit card or confidential health information was accessed.
• Anthem's Information Security has worked to eliminate further vulnerability and continues to secure its data.
• Anthem immediately began a forensic IT investigation to determine the number of impacted consumers and to identify the type of information accessed. The investigation is ongoing.
• Anthem has advised us there is no immediate indication that any personal information has been misused.
• Anthem has informed us it plans to offer credit monitoring services to affected employees. enrolled in identity repair services. In addition, impacted members will be provided information on how to enroll in free credit monitoring.

While at this time, the cause and impact of the attack is not clearly known, anytime personal information is involved, it is important to guard against phishing attacks.

[Batteriesnare]

I received the same email, but it seemed like they would be a while in determining who was effected, and what their plan to make it right would be. Trying to be proactive to head off more headaches later.

[Rooskibar03]

You can lock your 3 credit bureaus for free. Watch your bank account like a hawk. I've stopped using my debit card as much and have gone to one credit card for my monthly expenses, gas, grocery, eating out and then pay off at end of month.

[brutal]

My personal opinion is to NEVER use your checking account debit card anywhere but your bank ATM. Keep your max daily withdrawal amount reasonable and don't keep a lot of cash in the account tied to the card.

Get a good no annual fee rewards card, use it exclusively, and pay off religiously like it's your bank account.

[Wulf202]

My personal opinion is to NEVER use your checking account debit card anywhere but your bank ATM. Keep your max daily withdrawal amount reasonable and don't keep a lot of cash in the account tied to the card.

Get a good no annual fee rewards card, use it exclusively, and pay off religiously like it's your bank account.

That doesn't stop em. Trust me

[Ranger353]

I have had some experience with ID theft, not me but my Son and a family friend that was leaving with us for a short time. My Son is in the Marines and when he was changing duty stations he had his fire lock box stolen from this shipment. I know, I know, why in the hell did he ship that with his household goods? Beats me, and he never could me a good answer other than he thought it would be safe (no pun intended). He lost his SS card, birth certificate, HS diploma, his whole life. He locked his account on all 3 bureaus, but because "they" have so much of his info, someone was able to call the bureaus and unlock the account, change the PIN, and assume his identity to buy a freaking car! He had to have a magistrate and sheriff verify his identity through fingerprints and now has a PIN and pass phrase on his account with flags at the bureaus to watch out for impostors. What a nightmare, and it will never end because of all his info is compromised.

Our friend that was living with us had a similar issue where he had a bunch of credit cards on his credit reports that he never opened. I helped him lock his account at the 3 bureaus last year and he has had no issues since then. This is really scary times we are living in.

I am not sure LifeLock would have done anything for my son, but the locks at the credit bureaus are free and seem to work well for basic run of the mill ID theft.

[kwando]

Great info, I guess I'll be calling to lock my credit. I don't see myself opening any cards, as credit cards are evil!

[Batteriesnare]

Called and locked mine as well, good info thanks!