TEMPE, AZ – (January 14, 2008) - More than 8,000 reports of identity theft in the Carolinas during 2006 has led AAA Carolinas to partner with an identity theft-prevention company that offers a one million dollar service guarantee your identity won't be stolen.
With 1.6 million members in North and South Carolina, "It was important to offer our members - and anyone who wants to join AAA - safety and security for a person’s most important possession - their identity,” said Dusty Holcomb, AAA Carolinas vice-president of Motor Club Operations.
LifeLock helps consumers render their personal information useless to thieves, costs less than $8 a month, and uses "locks" to set and automatically renew fraud alerts with major credit bureaus, removing members names from pre-approved credit card offers and junk mail lists. LifeLock joins 150,000 merchant locations across the world offering discounts to AAA Members.
"We're starting to see a trend where travelers are losing more and more personal information and we welcome the opportunity to offer a preventative solution to AAA Carolinas members and potential members so they never become a victim of identity theft," said LifeLock CEO Todd Davis. The service can also be used for children under 16.
The Federal Trade Commission reports that in 2006, residents of North Carolina registered more than 5,700 reports of identity theft and of the top 50 cities most affected by identity theft, five are located in North Carolina (Thomasville-Lexington, Dunn, Durham, Salisbury and Goldsboro).
The FTC report also shows more than 2,400 reports of identity theft in South Carolina in 2006. For the seventh straight year, identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States, costing Americans $1.1 billion annually.
"This growing threat of identity theft in the Carolinas is a scary consequence of today's technology and we felt it was our responsibility to find the strongest safeguard available so members and future members can work, travel, and live with peace of mind they won’t become a victim," said Holcomb.
LifeLock also provides WalletLock, a one-stop solution for a lost wallet. One call to LifeLock and a person's credit cards, driver's license and other lost items will be cancelled and replaced, free of charge. AAA Carolinas Motor Club, a AAA affiliate, provides comprehensive travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services to more than 1.6 million members in North Carolina and South Carolina.
About LifeLock
LifeLock (www.lifelock.com) helps consumers to render their personal information useless to thieves, backing up its service with a one million-dollar service guarantee. Famous for its CEO giving out his Social Security Number in advertising and national press, the company is experiencing astounding growth. Located in a secure facility in Tempe, Arizona, LifeLock is a private company backed by Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers as well as Bessemer Venture Partners. Winner of the 2007 American Business Award for the Best Radio Advertising Campaign, LifeLock was a finalist for 10 other ABA awards, including Best New Company and Best New Product/Service. Recently the company was named recipient of the Red Herring 100 Global Award as one of the Top 100 start-up's in the world.
About AAA Carolinas
An affiliate of the American Automobile Association, AAA Carolinas was founded in 1922 as a not-for-profit organization that now serves more than 1.6 million members with travel, automobile and insurance services while being an advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.