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Is Life Lock the cure for the identity theft protection epidemic? Is Life Lock the answer to providing you with peace of mind when it comes to preventing identity theft?

We are going to look at the benefits, features, pros and cons of Life Lock. We are going to review Life Lock and see if it is the solution to identity theft prevention or if you can do the same thing on your own as Life Lock does.

What can Life Lock do for you that you can’t do for yourself? Well, pretty much nothing.

The real question is, do you want to hassle with going through all the steps and processes yourself. Some people thrive on research, seeking out every detail and are just plain DIYers. Others just have so much going on in their lives that they don’t want the additional burden, they just want the security of knowing things are taken care of for them and they are protected, and that is where companies such as Life Lock come into play.

So let’s look at what Life Lock does and how you can do the same thing yourself.

Life Lock – Fraud Alert

First is the fraud alert. Life Lock will place a fraud alert on your credit profile at all three credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and Transunion. A fraud alert will put your credit profile in lock down mode. No one will be able to open new accounts in your name without your being notified. Any potential credit grantors will be notified that they must verify your identification before extending credit in your name in case someone is using your identity without your knowledge.

DIY – Fraud Alert

Can you put a fraud alert on your credit profile yourself? Sure you can, you must notify all three credit bureaus every three months to put a fraud alert on your credit profile. Fraud alerts come in three flavors:

1. You can put a three month fraud alert if you suspect identity theft

2. A one year fraud alert can be obtained if you are an active military consumer

3. A seven year fraud alert will require you to show proof that your identity has been stolen by submitting a copy of a valid identity theft report to the credit bureaus that you have filed with a Federal, State or local law enforcement agency.

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian:
1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
P.O. Box 9532,
Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion:
1-800-680-7289
Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790,
Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

Life Lock – Opt Out

The next thing Life Lock will do is request that your name be removed from junk mail lists and pre-approved credit offers. This is one of the main methods identity thieves will use to get a hold of your identity.

DIY – Opt Out

Can you request your name be removed from junk lists and pre-approved credit offers? Once again, yes you can, but you may have to make the request multiple times before you are completely removed. As I am sure you know, advertising is a very lucrative business and companies don’t give up easily on potential prospects.

Listed below is information on the organizations you can contact to have your name removed from various mailing lists.

Credit Bureaus

Keep in mind that the credit bureaus may have different requirements for opting out. You can write a letter to request your personal information not be shared or used for promotional purposes.

The national credit bureaus offer a toll-free number that enables consumers to opt-out of all pre-approved credit offers with just one phone call. You can call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688) or you can go to the OptOutScreen website.

Department of Motor Vehicles

State departments of motor vehicles (DMVs) keep a lot of personal information about you. (Take a look at your driver’s license, for example.) The Drivers Protection Act offers you privacy rights concerning your information maintained by DMVs. The law sets limits on how your information can be used. A DMV agency can give out your personal information for things such as law enforcement, driver safety, insurance underwriting, etc.

Recently, an amendment was made to the law which now prohibits DMV from giving out your personal information for other types of uses, including for direct marketing, unless you give them permission.

You should contact the DMV in your state for more specific information.

Direct Marketers

The Direct Marketing Association’s (DMA) Mail Preference Service allows you to opt out of receiving unsolicited commercial mail from various national companies for five years. When you sign up for this service (a $1 fee), your name will be put in a ‘delete’ file and made available to direct-mail marketers. This will only help you for mailings from organizations who use the DMA’s Mail Preference Service. Your registration won’t stop mailings from organizations that don’t use this service. To register with DMA’s Mail Preference Service, go to the DMAChoice org website.

The FTC also publishes a free brochure on Shopping by Phone or Mail. For a complete list of publications, write for Best Sellers, Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580; or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357), TDD (202) 326-2502.

Life Lock – Free Credit Reports

Life Lock will also order your credit report from all three credit bureaus which are sent directly to you.

DIY – Free Credit Reports

You can also do this yourself. Each credit bureau allows you to obtain one free credit report each year. That will give you your credit report every four months, each time from a different credit bureau. Keep in mind that each credit bureau does not always keep the same account information on file.

Getting your credit report every four months is all well and good to get an overview of your credit score and where you stand. But it is not going to be very helpful in the event your identity is stolen, unless you happen to get your credit report just as an identity thief is going on a shopping spree in your name.

Do it yourselfer’s can go to annualcreditreport.com to get your free credit report.

Life Lock – Replacing Lost Information

Life Lock has a feature they call WalletLock™. In the event your wallet is stolen you call Life Lock anytime and they will match you up with a WalletLock specialist who will help you contact your credit card, bank or document issuing company, cancel your affected accounts and complete any paperwork and steps necessary to replace your lost documents, such as your credit/debit cards, driver’s license, social security card, insurance cards, checkbook, even travelers checks.

DIY – Replacing Lost Information

Can you do all this yourself? You should know by now that the answer is yes. As long as you remember all the cards you have to replace. And you will also have to hunt down all the contact information for each organization you hold cards with.

I don’t know about you, but this feature alone is worth the price to me. Just thinking of going through all that hassle makes my head spin and gives me a migraine. Yes I admit it, I am lazy and I don’t want to go through all that hassle by myself! I want someone holding my hand, walking me through it and making sure I don’t forget anything cause I can guarantee you I won’t be thinking with a clear head.

But that is just me, maybe you have plenty of time on your hands, aren’t bothered by the hassle, are great at research and getting a hold of the right people (and not an answering system), and having all your information stolen just wouldn’t bother you enough to get your head spinning. So if you are a ‘do it yourselfer’ then have at it.

Life Lock – Identity Theft Monitoring Service

Life Lock offers two new identity theft monitoring services that helps you locate any threats to your identity.

eRecon™ spiders websites known for criminal activity associated with illegal selling or trading of your personal information (this includes your Social Security number, credit card number, driver’s license and email address, if you provided it) and alerts you if, or when they find something.

TrueAddress™ keeps tabs on nationwide address databases and Life Lock will notify you if any new address information associated with your name is detected in this database. This alert will help you if a criminal has changed your address to send your new mail to a different location where they can steal your mail easier and get your financial information.

DIY – Identity Theft Monitoring Service

Can you monitor your identity yourself? Maybe, possibly, if you are extremely web savvy, have the right software and tools…but highly unlikely.

Life Lock – $1,000,000 Guarantee

And the last feature offered by Life Lock is the famous Life Lock million dollar guarantee. Life Lock claims if your Identity is ever stolen while you are a member of the Life Lock identity theft protection service they will do whatever it takes to reclaim your good name. Life Lock states they will hire the best lawyers on your behalf. They will get you investigators, accountants, case managers, whatever else you might need to recover your identity. Life Lock also states they will give you back any money you have lost due to the theft of your identity.

Life Lock claims they do whatever it takes and will spend up to $1,000,000 to help you recover your good name.

DIY – $1,000,000 Guarantee

Can you offer yourself a million dollar guarantee? Ah, well, only you know the answer to that one.

DIY vs Life Lock Review Conclusion

Most of the features offered by Life Lock can be had by any energetic DIYer (except possibly the $1,000,000 Guarantee). It just depends on whether you want to deal with all the hassle yourself or not. If your a typical DIYer and don’t mind the hassle, then by all means, have at it.

If you are like many people, don’t have the extra time to deal with the hassle and would prefer some guidance along the way, then you might want to think about using the Life Lock Identity Theft Protection Service, or even another similar service.

We hope this Life Lock Review has been helpful to you. If you are still trying to decide on whether to use an identity theft protection service or if your just not sure which monitoring service to choose, you might want to take a look at our comparison page to get the pros and cons to some of the top identity theft protection service providers that are out there.

Brenda Mohney is founder of Identity Theft Security. Identity Theft Security is a site dedicated to providing identity theft tips tools and resources to help consumers find quality information about identity theft protection.

Identity Theft Security offers reviews of identity theft insurance services, comparisons of identity theft plans and we offer identity theft videos, brochures and free software.

I’m here to give you some foreign currency tips designed for traders. This is actually a really fun market and business to get into. It isn’t quite as hard as everyone anticipates when they first start. Often, like in most businesses, simple strategies work the best.

If there is one thing you should do right before you’re about to make a trade, it’s to flip on the news and see what is going on. In an ideal world, currency would move completely by market forces, but the fact is that people make up these market forces and our emotions get the best of us. There are two pieces of news you need to identify: economic and emotional. The economic is more important and you should keep an eye out for news on Central Banks and economic growth like GDP. Emotional news really has nothing to do with the economy, but because it is emotional it filters into the economy. Any act of terrorism will do this. Especially if it is around areas with a lot of commodities like oil.

If there is one skill you should need from the start, it’s the foresight to lose smartly. We all lose at this. We all have bad trades that lose money. Everyone has these. Just like every basketball player misses a shot. It’s often how you deal with it that counts. Here is something you need to understand, you’re a gambler by heart. Gamblers are those guys at a casino that make moves based on gut feelings. They’ll keep emptying their wallet, telling themselves they’ll win it back. You don’t want to be this person. You want to lose smartly, so learn to cut your losses and move on.

Lastly, software like Forex Killer can be the difference between being a small time trader and a medium trader. It’s a tool that can help you increase your potential. The automated features that can be set up to buy and sell without you being in front of the computer are great. The ability for the software to find profitable currencies to buy is an even better feature.

For more information on the Forex Killer software, check out Forex Charting Software.

A number of clients have recently reported to their tax preparation services that they have been receiving calls from someone posing as a representative from the Social Security Administration. The caller began the conversation by talking about the pending Congressional leader’s announcement where a deal with the White House on the economic stimulus package would give most tax filers refunds of $600 to $1,200, and more if they have children. The caller went on to solicit from consumers their Social Security number stating confirmation of their number would ensure they received their rebate checks within the next 6 – 7 months.

The Social Security Administration is not making a conscience effort to confirm consumer identification numbers. You need to be aware that identity thief’s are however and they use a number of tactics to steal your identity. Spoofing is generally used by thieves as a means to convince individuals to provide personal or financial information that enables the perpetrators to commit credit card/bank fraud or other forms of identity theft. An attempt to fraudulently acquire sensitive financial or personal information, such as credit card information or a Social Security number, by impersonating a business representative or trustworthy person is also known as a Phishing attempt and is usually initiated through e-mail, phone calls or Instant Messaging.

Thieves do not just collect Social Security Numbers. They are also after your telephone taxes date of birth and your bank and credit card account numbers. This information is a personal asset as well and people who illegally solicit this information are also known as pretexters.

It is yet another name for identity theft and Pretexting is (like the other practices mentioned) a means of getting your personal information under false pretenses.

Pretexters sell your information to people who may use it to get credit in your name, steal your assets, or to investigate or sue you. Pretexting is against the law. Whether it is by means of Spoofing, Phishing or Pretexting the tactics are all designed to get your personal information.

According the Federal Trade Commission For example, a pretexter may call, claim he’s from a survey firm, and ask you a few questions. When the pretexter (let’s just call it a thief) has the information they want, it is used to call your financial institution.

The thief pretends to be you or someone with authorized access to your account. They might claim that they have tax their checkbook and need information about their account. In this way, the criminal may be able to obtain personal information about you such as your SSN, bank and credit card account numbers, information in your credit report, and the existence and size of your savings and investment portfolios.

Keep in mind that some information about you may be a matter of public record, such as whether you own a home, pay your real estate taxes, or have ever filed for bankruptcy.

It is not pretexting for another person to collect this kind of information. Identity thieves don’t just use the schemes we’ve just talked about to get your personal information they also procure your identity by:

* Stealing wallets, purses and your mail (bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, new checks and tax information);

* Stealing personal information you provide to an unsecured site on the Internet, from business or personnel records at work and personal information in your home;

* Rummaging through your trash, the trash of businesses and public trash dumps for personal data;

* Buying personal information from “inside” sources. For example, an identity thief may pay an employee for information about you that appears on an application for goods, services or credit.

Even though the laws are on your side, it’s wise to take an active role in protecting your information. The Federal Trade Commission recommends the following actions;

1. Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you’ve initiated the contact or know who you’re dealing with. Pretexters may pose as representatives of survey firms, banks, Internet service providers and even government agencies to get you to reveal your SSN, mother’s maiden name, financial account numbers and other identifying information. Legitimate organizations with which you do business have the information they need and will not ask you for it.

2. Be informed. Ask your financial institutions for their policies about sharing your information. Ask them specifically about their policies to prevent pretexting.

3. Pay attention to your statement cycles. Follow up with your financial institutions if your statements don’t arrive on time.

4. Review your statements carefully and promptly. Report any discrepancies to your institution immediately.

5. Alert family members to the dangers of pretexting. Explain that only you, or someone you authorize, should provide personal information to others.

6. Keep items with personal information in a safe place. Tear or shred your charge receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, bank checks and other financial statements that you’re discarding, expired charge cards and credit offers you get in the mail.

7. Add passwords to your credit card, bank and phone accounts. Avoid using easily available information like your mother’s maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your SSN or your phone number, or a series of consecutive numbers.

8. Be mindful about where you leave personal information in your home, especially if you have roommates or are having work done in your home by others.

9. Find out who has access to your personal information at work and verify that the records are kept in a secure location. Checking your credit report annually can help you catch mistakes and fraud before they wreak havoc on your personal finances.

Order a copy of your credit report from the three tax mistakes consumer reporting companies every year. To order your free annual report from one or all the nationwide consumer reporting companies, call toll-free 1-877-322-8228, or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form avail at their Website annualcreditreport.com and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

If you do not have the time or expertise to put measures in place to protect you and your family’s identity consider visiting a credit protection service that can put the appropriate measures in place to preserve your good name, credit and assets.

Ronald Hudkins is a published Internet author with a very high regard for consumer awareness. Despite over 2o years in law enforcement and working many jobs requiring a security clearance he once fell victim to credit theft as a result of a disgruntled employee selling information from personnel records. To find out how he supplements and protects his identity visit and review the program he uses at http://www.registryfixing.com./LifeLock.html

So if you’ve looked around at all, you will have seen the numerous signs, billboards and storefronts of Payday Loan Lenders. This article is to familiarize yourself with what these businesses actually do and if you would benefit from it.

Depending on what you’ve heard of payday loan lenders, you may have experienced them yourself, you may have had friends who have used them or you may not have a clue what they are about.

We are going to dispel any fear you might have of the unknown, undo the bad story that cousin Bob told about you about getting money to fix his tractor, and you will be a well informed consumer.

First of all, the industry does not, as a whole, practice this to take advantage of people. There are a wide range of people who borrow money from payday loan lenders. The average customer of payday loans are middle class, middle income people.

The very poor people who lenders have been accused of taking advantage of, know that they can’t use this system all the time without digging their holes deeper.

It is absurd to think that this industry preys on people who go without enough, entice them to take our loans and owe us money they can’t pay back if forced to anyway!

Wealthy people don’t typically need payday loans, though I am not ruling them out. They usually have multiple streams of income, savings, investments, etc. The middle class are the average citizens in this country.

They range from living paycheck to paycheck to just being short on cash when unexpected situations arise. In some cases, they are entrepreneurs or independent contractors who wait on other people to get them their paychecks for work done.

Whatever your class or reason for needing a pay day loan, it is simple. The interest rates charged are quite large when compared to a traditional loan. However, these loans are set up to be short term, usually a few weeks.

So the fees aren’t much of a problem. The process is easy and when something is easy, they think scam.

There is some paperwork to fill out, usually just a few papers. This includes all your personal information, your loan contract and then your repayment schedule.

The process is over and done in just about an hour or so. Online companies can deposit money in your bank account usually within 24 hours.

If you follow your payment schedule, the loan is paid back within a short time. If you are unable to pay it back as signed in your contract, then the company usually has a rollover or extension to give you.

You will pay a little bit for that but you won’t get the big fees that banks usually charge for bounced checks.

What to do with my money?

The money you received from the payday loan store will be used for whatever pressing thing you needed it for in the first place. But we will talk a little more about what to do with your money in general.

Below are some money tips to help you keep your cash in your wallet and not burning holes in your pants, or purse.

- Comparison shop a little. Find two stores with cheap prices for the food you usually buy. Buying everything at one store can cost you tons.

- Buy food at your local farmers markets.

- Buy second hand clothes for young children who grow out of their sizes very quickly.

- Ask people to bring food to your parties or gatherings. Spreading out the cost of food helps your wallet and encourages people to take part.

- Call your credit card companies and ask for a lower interest rate. Being persistent by asking what they can offer you, will usually get you a change.

- Make a budget! This I cannot stress enough, knowing what you have coming in and what bills are due, will keep everything in order and save you hundreds in late fees or over limit fees.

- Make decorations for your home or holidays. You can find simple crafts online and you’ll pay much less in supplies than if you buy at a home decor store.

- Go generic on general home supplies. Paper towels and toilet paper don’t need to be frilly, they need to be functional.

- Make your own cleaning supplies. Not only will this save you money, but the natural products you use are better for your health.

Michael New Jr. is an authority in the financial industry. He has written hundreds of articles relating to consumer services and Payday Loans.

Contact Info:
Michael New Jr.
(866)294-4672
miken@checkcity.com
http://www.checkcity.com

If you’re like the rest of us, you’re probably well aware of how todays high energy costs are starting to have a detrimental effect on your way of life. Whether the record high prices are the result of the falling value of the dollar, peak oil, market speculation, or a combination of these, the end result is the same. More pain in the wallet and an increasingly uneasy feeling about the future. We’ve had a very cozy relationship with fossil fuels for many years, but it looks like that relationship is quickly coming to an end. The need for a reduced cost power source has moved from a lofty ideal, to an urgent necessity. So what’s the best plan of action, what can we do? Is there any technology that can adopt to replace fossil fuels? The simple answer is no, there is no magic bullet. But there are some alternatives that if properly executed could provide substantial benefits. Part of the answer, to paraphrase Bob Dylan, may indeed be blowing in the wind.

Alternative energy is now no longer a trendy catch-phrase, it’s been thrust to the front of the line of possible solutions to the energy crisis. One possible solution to our problems is wind power. It’s been extensively tested for years, and wind is plentiful and free. Even though it may not be able to produce 100% of our energy needs, it has the ability to produce a large amount of what we need. If we combine this with conservation and other forms of alternative energy, the future suddenly looks a little brighter.

One of wind powers biggest selling points is that it’s a proven producer of energy. Early examples of harnessing wind power date back to the 1st century. Since then Wind has been used for a variety of tasks; pumping water, grinding wheat, milling lumber, and producing electricity to name a few. Because of it’s long development life, it’s one of the few alternative energy technologies that’s capable of being cheaply deployed. So cheap in fact that there are plans available to construct your own home-made wind powered generators. These too are proven producers with reliability that rivals factory produced units.

While we’re definitely in a state of flux regarding our energy sources, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing. If you’re looking for answers, you really need to consider adding wind power to your solution.

DR Smith has been involved in the alternative energy field for over 20 years. He’s put together alternative energy plans and guidelines that will help you become energy independent and start saving money today.

As global warming increases, many have asked what we can do to help protect the world we live in. One way is build and install your own homemade hydrogen fuel cell to power your car on water. Only a few years ago, the demand for gas-guzzling SUVs was on the rise, but this was before the general public was as informed as they are today on global warming and before we were severely impacted by the rising gas prices.

We want and need to be more responsible. Thousands of people are using water-fuel conversions during this time of “energy crisis”. Even President George Bush had announced the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative to accelerate hydrogen-related research – to the tune of $1.2 billion. What could be cleaner or more cost-effective than running your car on a renewable energy extracted from water?

What the homemade hydrogen fuel cell does is to break down ordinary water into its elements of hydrogen and oxygen, and then chemically reform into HHO gas or Hybrid Hydrogen Oxygen. This gas supplements normal gasoline to greatly enhance fuel economy.

Here are a few of the many benefits of this humble gas saving device.

- A homemade hydrogen fuel cell burns cleanly

- The only by-products you wind up with when you burn hydrogen along with oxygen are water and heat.

- Hydrogen is often burned completely without pollution and can easily double your car’s gas mileage. This means more money in your wallet!

- Hydrogen (and water) among are the most abundant substances around!

- Fuel cells are 100-200% more efficient than their gasoline counterparts.

- Safety is not an issue, and HHO is as safe as using diesel, gasoline or natural gas.

- Hydrogen can help reduce dependence on foreign oil.

Most of us cringe when we fill up our gas tanks and we try to reduce our other spending just to pay our high gas bills. By making energy-efficient choices, you can benefit everyone.

No more filling up your tank for $80 or more. You could be saving thousands of dollars each year if you build your own hydrogen fuel cell. Let’s stop giving oil companies our hard earned money, and receive IRS refunds for using green technology! The energy industries have been trying to keep this technology from us for years. The best thing is, this technology works anywhere in the world, and you can build your own hydrogen fuel cell in a few hours of your time and at low cost too!

Want To Build Your Own Homemade Hydrogen Fuel Cell But Don’t Know Where To Start?

Fret not! Many people in your shoes have successfully built one on their own to run their cars on water. They are already shaving $1000s off their gas bills. If you need step-by-step guidance in installing one, I have reviewed the Top 3 Best-Selling Homemade Hydrogen Fuel Cell Guides for your convenience. These highly recommended guides provide easy-to-follow instructions that will help you save money in no time.

Isache Chew is an Alternative Fuel Specialist who takes pride in helping the average consumer save money on gas and give oil companies a run for their money! For a candid review of the best-selling guides, zoom now into his website at http://www.isache-biz.com/runcaronwater

Who does not wish fuel for their car engine would just fall from the sky? Well, a small bucket of rain water has the power to reduce fuel costs between 30 and 50 percent over the course of months. This is possible through HHO power, which involves converting water into a gas known as Brown’s gas or Hydroxy. This is done through a process called electrolysis, in which water molecules are pulled apart.

The resulting gas, which is created using the electricity from a car battery,is the catylyst behind HHO power. When mixed with gasoline, HHO allows for a more efficient, more powerful, and cooler engine. In addition, HHO power is excellent for the environment, as it drastically reduces pollution emissions and releases oxygen into the atmosphere.

Whispers of water vapor replace carbon footprints. Not to mention that the source of HHO power is a renewable resource which we all have access to. HHO power requires a generator which uses electricity from a car battery to convert ordinary water into the HHO gas which is then mixed with gasoline. These generators can be made by individuals without much difficulty, using parts which are relatively inexpensive and easy to find. Many websites offer tutorials on how to make one’s own HHO power generator. The process can be completed within a half a day using less than 50 dollars and is easily reversible.

The possibilities of HHO power are amazing. Not only is it a safe, cost-efficient,and environmentally friendly,but it is also an incredibly tangible and easy way for individual people to reform the way they fuel their vehicles. Water is an abundant resource, which can be harnessed quickly and with ease. One does not have to rely on foreign governments or corporations as middlemen in their quest for HHO power. Therefore the only one making a monetary profit is the consumer who decides to harness HHO power, and the world reaps its many environmental benefits. There is no need to pay for costly installation services, nor a new vehicle. With HHO power, using only a few parts and a day’s dedication, immense benefits can be created by the consumer himself.

There are many alternative energy options being advertised these days, often involving science and variables which make their true value and benefits very difficult for the average consumer to understand. While the scientific community debates the basis for the world’s petroleum replacement, why not alleviate wallets and the environment in the meantime with HHO power?

Start saving money on gas in just days with HHO power! Click here to learn how you can install an HHO kit on your car