Why publishing your SSN on the Internet is Bad
I’m not sure how I missed these two identity theft stories, but fortunately slashdot picked them up.
A British TV host claimed that the risks of identity theft are overhyped and then ridiculed the public uproar about the loss of CDs containing the personal information of 25 Million people. He then published his bank account number. Less than a week later he discovered a recurring direct debit for $1000 to a diabetes charity (wired).
OK, the intelligence of TV hosts isn’t exactly unassailable. However, Wired linked the story to an event that happened a few months ago involving Todd Davis, the CEO of Lifelock.
I’ve written about Lifelock and their shady past before. Lifelock is the company that sells ‘fraud insurance’ services and posts the SSN of their CEO on their website (and in an USAToday Full-page ad).
A few months ago, a mentally retarded person saw the website and used the social security number to steal Davis’ identity. He made off with $500 from a Payday lending place.
It gets better (from infoworld):
After authorities identified the man who misappropriated Davis’s identity, the idiot sent employees to the guy’s house with a typed confession and a video camera. Yes, they got the confession they sought. And then the local DA dropped the case, because that confession would never stand up in court.
Yeah. I want this guy protecting my identity. I still can’t believe KP invested in them.
Holy shit that is hilarious. I’ve never understood the Lifelock thing. I guess a Tier 1 VC investment is no guarantee that you have a great business on your hands.
Lifelock – Todd Davis CEO of Lifelock , This is not his legal name, Todd is his middle name
To me this is ethically improper