TEMPE, AZ - The Federal Trade Commission reports that identity theft is a rapidly growing crime facing many consumers-and thieves aren't stopping with the 18-and-over crowd. More and more children are falling victim to identity theft, with recent statistics from the Federal Trade Commission showing an increase of nearly ten percent over the last two years for Americans 19 and under. Many parents as well as most young people are unaware of an attack on their identities until they have a need for clean credit as a young adult. The damage left behind by criminals can leave young adults with unfounded debt and ruined credit, providing a negative result when applying for student loans or employment.
A partnership announced today between leading identity theft protection company LifeLock and MENTOR, the national advocate and resource for mentoring initiatives, aims to educate consumers young and old about the dangers of identity theft. MENTOR participants will also be able to receive LifeLock's comprehensive identity theft protection services at a discounted rate.
"This crime can be so devastating, but imagine being a victim at a young age and unaware that your identity has been compromised until years after the fact," said LifeLock Vice President of Corporate Communications, Mike Prusinski. "Our partnership with MENTOR is an important step in educating families and our youth about the dangers of identity theft. It is our hope that, through our collaborative efforts, we will be able to better arm consumers - young and old - with the tools they need to protect themselves from becoming a victim."
Under this partnership, LifeLock will serve as a sponsor of MENTOR's SafetyNET program, which has become a vital tool for nationwide mentoring programs to conduct background checks on potential mentors. LifeLock and MENTOR will work together to further enhance this program by developing "Safety Days" that will focus on potential identity theft risks and protection tips.
"We believe in the power of quality mentoring relationships, and part of our work in nurturing positive programs throughout the country is ensuring the safety for the youths involved," said Tonya Wiley, Chief Administrative Officer for MENTOR. "Our partnership with LifeLock will help us to educate our partners around the country about possible identity theft risks, as well as guide us in further improving our mentor selection processes. We hope that our awareness campaigns will aid in the fight against this destructive crime."
LifeLock (www.lifelock.com) is an industry leader in proactive identity theft protection. Since 2005, LifeLock has been providing consumers with the tools and confidence they need to help protect themselves when they have a good faith suspicion that they have been or are about to become a victim of identity theft. The company has a strong focus on educating consumers and working with law enforcement and elected officials to better understand the increasing threats of identity theft. A multiple award-winning organization, LifeLock has most recently been recognized by the American Business Awards as offering consumers the best new service (TrueAddress).
For more than two decades, MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership has been working to expand the world of quality mentoring. MENTOR believes that, with the help and guidance of an adult mentor, each child can discover how to unlock and achieve his or her potential. MENTOR is widely acknowledged as the nation's premier advocate and resource for the expansion of mentoring initiatives nationwide. As such, MENTOR works with a strong network of state and local Mentoring Partnerships to leverage resources and provide the support and tools that mentoring organizations need to effectively serve young people in their communities.
with the most advanced Identity Theft Protection system available!