No seriously, identity theft is real.
Wednesday January 16, 2008 at 12:31 pm CST
Posted by Allysa Myers
Generally, I think we can agree that creating FUD is a bad thing. And conversely, dispelling FUD is generally a good thing. But knowing when something is actually FUD, rather than a fear based on valid concerns is kind of a vital part of that equation.
This was a lesson learned the hard way for TV Presenter Jeremy Clarkson, when he published details of his bank account in the Sun newspaper. He had figured that all that could be done with the information was to put money into his account.
Not so!
He awoke one morning to find someone had set up a £500 direct debit to the charity Diabetes UK. He’s sounding quite contrite now, and seems rather adamant about pursuing those who lose the confidential information of others:
“Contrary to what I said at the time, we must go after the idiots who lost the discs and stick cocktail sticks in their eyes until they beg for mercy.”

January 16th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Ever hear of Lifelock?
They are a company that claims to protect customers from ID theft & offers help if they do become victims.
Lifelock CEO Todd Davis publishes his SSN in full page ads (in USA Today and others), because he is so confident his service works.
“Making a mockery of LifeLock’s identity theft protections, a Texas man in 2006 was able to secure a $500 payday loan with Mr. Davis’ social security number.”
The crime was committed at a check cashing stores.