The LifeLock service protects against identity theft, which is when thieves steal your personal information to take or open new accounts, properties or other detrimental fraudulent actions in your name. It only takes minutes to sign up for their service and in general what they do is: scan, alert, restore and reimburse. They scan for use of your personal information and alert you if there is activity using text, email or phone call. They send a message asking if it is you taking action and you respond using their yes or no buttons to reply with a click. If your identity is stolen specialists work to resolve it completely. And then, according to the details of your LifeLock plan, if money is stolen or you incur costs you are then reimbursed by LifeLock.

There is a wide array of features that LifeLock offers. The LifeLock Identity Alert System is the foundation for all LifeLock services. They send alerts through the patented LifeLock Identity Alert system by text, phone, or email and the Identity Restoration Specialists are there to help. If your identity is compromised, an Identity Restoration Specialist will personally handle your case and help restore your identity. And if you become a victim of identity theft while a LifeLock member, they will provide the necessary lawyers and experts if needed to help resolve your case. They check court records for matches of your name and date of birth to criminal activity. It helps protect you from being falsely linked to arrests and convictions you know nothing about.

Stolen funds reimbursement is included for instance if you have money stolen due to identity theft, LifeLock will reimburse you dollar for dollar-up to $25,000, up to $100,000, or up to $1 million-based on the limits of your plan. There is also credit card, checking and savings account activity alerts. You can review your credit card, checking and savings account activity in one secure place. You can also receive alerts for cash withdrawals, balance transfers and large purchases to help detect fraudulent activity.

LifeLock lets you know of changes in address requests linked to your identity. They scan for names and addresses connected with your Social Security number to help protect against criminals building fictitious identities to open accounts or commit fraud. There are continuous searches for your personal information in new bank account applications at national banks, local banks and credit unions from coast to coast. They will let you know about large-scale identity breaches, so you can help protect your personal information. They monitor key changes to your credit file at the three leading credit bureaus and alert you to help detect fraud. They monitor many popular networks for use of your name, Social Security number, date of birth or contact information.

LifeLock would have many benefits for a small business owner. The easy access to updates via their app makes it simple and straightforward to check up on. LifeLock also allows for prompt alerts via email, phone or text which allows for information without needing to login. LifeLock has great customer support allowing for fast resolution of any issues.

However, it generally insulates you from theft and other harm that might come from publicizing your name through business or suddenly having more resources. If anyone is attempting to use your information to damage your credit you receive an alert and can stop it. If people take legal action against you without proper notification you are alerted. If you have your cards stolen or wallet then they are promptly replaced, and any lost funds reimbursed. If your personal information is released somewhere public, you are notified as well. All these things that could make doing business more difficult can be prevented or corrected.

One specific and costly advantage is specialists, experts and lawyers to reverse damage. As a small business-owner a quick solution could make the difference between closing and going bankrupt or keeping your customers or clients. And none of the costs would come out of your pocket in contrast to the situation getting expensive complicated and messy to resolve.

Information or identity breaches can be very damaging. One not often mentioned thing that LifeLock does is search the Dark Web and notify you if they find your information there. You can’t exactly steal the data back, but with notification you can change and alter most of your information so that it is unhelpful and unusable. However, knowing you must take action is the first and most important step.

I think it is a helpful and sensible precaution against the common lack of security brought about by data breaches, loose lips and malicious people. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best is a good approach in identity theft. Hopefully you will not need specialists and lawyers to restore your identity and fight charges but isn’t it better to have them. LifeLock is an excellent well-rounded service that does just that. Isn’t is smarter to get it and be able to sleep better?

A penny for your thoughts!