Identity Theft: #1 FTC complaint for tenth year straight

By admin | Published: February 26, 2010

Think the problem of identity theft is going away anytime soon? Think again, this week the FTC released the 2009 Top Consumer Complaints report and yet again, millions of American consumers have found themselves falling victim to identity theft and fraud. For ten years straight identity theft and fraud have made it to the top of the list, so i believe a toast is in order to the identity thieves across the world.

“You’ve had a great run, a decade at the top is something to be proud of! It has taken countless hours, a disregard for all morals and undying envy to reach this accomplishment, so to you I raise my glass….. but know that we are on your heels and our team here at ID Watchdog will stop at nothing to take you down.”

ID_Watchdog_FTC_Report_Image

To see this report in it’s entirety go to: http://www.ftc.gov/sentinel/reports/sentinel-annual-reports/sentinel-cy2009.pdf.

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ID Watchdog Introduces New Product; idCHECK

By admin | Published: February 8, 2010

ID Watchdog Announces Revolutionary New Product that Provides Instant Feedback on ID Theft

idCHECK Makes Identity Theft Analysis Quick, Easy, and Affordable for Every Individual – and is Available for Free for a Limited Time

DENVER, CO February 5, 2010 — ID Watchdog, Inc. (TSX.V: IDW) (OTCQX: IDWAF), provider of the most comprehensive identity theft protection and resolution services in the market today, unveiled its revolutionary idCHECK product.

For a limited time, the Company is offering consumers the opportunity to use the product for free*. To get a free idCHECK, go to www.idcheck.idwatchdog.com and use the promo code “idcfree01_pr”.

idCHECK is the first identity theft protection product that allows consumers to instantly determine whether an organized identity theft network may have accessed their personal data. idCHECK works by scanning thousands of consumer databases, most of which aren’t easily accessed by consumers, to expose evidence of identity theft. Results are presented on an intuitive dashboard using a simple coding system, providing the consumer with an easy to understand assessment of his or her risk, as well as ongoing access to additional identity theft tools, resources, and action plans.

“Identity theft impacts millions of consumers every year, but often goes undetected for months or even years, giving thieves plenty of time to do serious damage. Because identity thieves don’t discriminate, we believe that every consumer should take proactive steps to protect his or herself and loved ones from identity theft. As the industry’s first tool that can provide consumers with immediate answers, idCHECK cuts through identity theft marketing hype with the simplest and most effective path to affordable peace of mind,” said Daniel Mohan, President and Chief Operating Officer of ID Watchdog.

Offered in single-use units, idCHECK delivers low-cost access to large amounts of valuable personal data, patent-pending analytics to make sense of the data, and an opportunity for consumers to “test-drive” a monitoring service before deciding whether they’d benefit from comprehensive monthly identity monitoring products.

“We are the only identity theft service provider that has the degree of access into data aggregators necessary to make this critical consumer-facing product possible,” said Nick Bryla, Vice President of Product Management and Marketing at ID Watchdog. “This access, combined with analytics developed by our Victim Resolution Group based on thousands of real identity theft cases, represents a defendable competitive advantage and we intend to make the most of this position.”

ID Watchdog is finalizing agreements with traditional brick-and-mortar retailers and online stores to carry the product, as well as with associations and affinity groups seeking to offer additional benefits to their memberships.

* idCHECK is available to U.S. Residents only.

About ID Watchdog, Inc.

Headquartered in Denver, ID Watchdog is the only identity theft detection and resolution company that provides patent-pending, three-tiered comprehensive monitoring, detection and resolution for identity theft. Unlike its competitors, ID Watchdog proactively detects identity theft problems at their source. Developed with the assistance of national consumer advocacy groups; the U.S. Postal Service; federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, and state and local Attorneys General, ID Watchdog’s service is focused on detecting the source of identity theft problems as early as possible, in as many places as possible, and taking immediate corrective action on behalf of the consumer.

For comprehensive investor relations material, including fact sheets, research reports, interviews and video (when available), please follow the appropriate link:
Investor Community, Investor Relations Portal, and Corporate Overview Video

For additional information, please visit ID Watchdog’s corporate website:
www.IDwatchdog.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release includes certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 which address future events and conditions which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, some of which may be beyond the Company’s control. Although the Company believes that its expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements are disclosed in the company’s filings with Canadian regulators at www.sedar.com. ID Watchdog assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of management beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors should they change.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Company Contact:
ID Watchdog, Inc.
Justin Yurek, Senior Vice President
303-339-8011
InvestorRelations@idwatchdog.com
www.idwatchdog.com

Financial Communications Contact:
Trilogy Capital Partners
Darren Minton, Executive Vice President
Toll-free: 800-592-6067
info@trilogy-capital.com

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Phony charities attempt to dupe consumers

By ID Watchdog | Published: December 10, 2009

In this season of giving, many legitimate organizations take advantage of consumers’ benevolent moods to beseech funds for various charitable causes. However, the bombardment of solicitations and the joy of the holiday season may cause otherwise cautious consumers to let their guard down. Unfortunately, many scammers are finding ways to gather personal information and money by masquerading as charitable organizations, and can commit any number of types of identity theft in the name of a trusting benefactor.

To thwart these kinds of scams, it is most important to simply be aware that they are out there. While you can generally trust the Salvation Army bell-ringer outside your grocery to safely deliver the change you drop in his locked red bucket to those in need, a little skepticism in this day and age goes a long way. When you are approached on the street for monetary donations, it pays to ask a few questions. A legitimate volunteer will be happy to give you a little more information about his or her organization and how your money will be spent. With a little prodding, a fake will quickly retreat.

It is also always important to give with cash. If you get swindled, this way you’re only out the few dollars you might have given up, but at least they don’t have your checking or credit card account information. Writing a check, even to a legitimate volunteer, puts your name, address, account and routing information into the hands of many different individuals before it gets deposited into the bank. Better to pay with cash (ask for a receipt if it’s for a large sum), than to take that chance.

In addition to in-person interactions with charity volunteers, the holiday season often means that many charities will initiate cold calls to your home. This method also becomes a quick and easy way for scammers to gather your personal or account information, without a trace. If you receive an unsolicited request for a donation via phone, verify the caller’s legitimacy before giving out any information – including your credit card number. Ask the caller for an official website or 1-800 number, and donate (if you so choose) only after you’ve done your research.

It’s unfortunate that identity thieves take advantage of holiday benevolence, but a little awareness can help keep you from becoming a victim. Also, remember that ID Watchdog is available to watch for any unauthorized use of your personal information – if a scammer of any sort manages to extract your sensitive details and tries to use them fraudulently, we’ll detect it and stop it, and help you fix any damage he or she may have caused. This holiday season, protect yourself with the ultimate gift – peace of mind with ID Watchdog Plus.

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Justin Yurek featured on Fox News “Protect your identity during the holidays”

By admin | Published: December 3, 2009

ID Watchdog’s own Justin Yurek recently shared some holiday identity safety tips with Fox News. Among other things, Yurek recommended that consumers shop only at stores they know and trust, and use only credit cards for purchases, both online and off. Yurek also advises consumers to shred their receipts and be on the lookout for phony charity scams. Watch the video now or read more at: http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-holidays-id-theft-120209,0,2640880.story

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ID Watchdog president Dan Mohan profiled by DailyVista

By ID Watchdog | Published: December 2, 2009

Dan Mohan, President and COO of ID Watchdog, was profiled recently by Daily Vista, an organization that connects corporate executives in the marketing and advertising industry. The following article appeared on the Daily Vista website:

Consumer identity solutions provider ID Watchdog ups Prez, COO
Consumer identity monitoring provider ID Watchdog Inc. announced the promotion of Daniel Mohan to the position of president and chief operating officer, according to the company.

Prior to joining the Denver-based company Mohan held business development, sales and marketing positions at various software companies including DataCert Inc., which provides legal software and services; Callidus Software, a provider of enterprise incentive management software and Trilogy Software, an enterprise business software and services provider.
Mohan holds a BS in accounting from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. He is also a former United States Air Force officer.

ID Watchdog is an identity monitoring program that detects theft and provides resolution for its customers. The company was developed to assist national consumer advocacy groups; the U.S. Postal Service; federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and local attorneys general.

Mohan told DailyVista that his primary goals in the near term at ID Watchdog will be to successfully launch the company’s newest suite of “disruptive consumer-facing products,” while also continuing to build an innovative consumer brand.
Additionally, he hopes to execute ID Watchdog’s multi-channel sales strategy with global data aggregator Acxiom – which allows ID Watchdog to provide its customers with the best possible data monitoring and investigation services – while maintaining the company’s reputation for quality and personalized customer service.

“We intend to continue our successful efforts to form partnerships with businesses in spaces immediately ancillary to ours – banks, credit unions, insurance companies and the like – as well as with trade unions, affinity groups and other professional organizations,” Mohan said. “We’ve been experiencing success in the past year offering identity theft protection as an employee benefit – school districts offering ID Watchdog to teachers, administrators, employees and their families, as an example – and will look to broaden that opportunity to other industries.”

Mohan added that he will continue to assist with building brand awareness and working on brand positioning with “evangelism” and brand stewardship, which will be an important part of his job.

“We feel strongly that it’s every employee’s responsibility to become a brand champion, and strive to empower them to make positive contributions to the brand experience,” he

said. “We work hard to earn our customer’s trust every day, and provide them peace of mind that their most valuable asset – their identity – is in good hands.”

With identity theft now regarded as the fastest growing crime in America, Mohan said that it can have a truly devastating impact on the people it affects, and does not discriminate its victims.

“Everyone and anyone has the potential to be impacted. That said, we understand the demographics of our customer base and target audience well, and have a strong perspective on their media profile, digital habits, and thanks to our relationship with Acxiom, even their psychographics,” he said.

Our source also deferred to information from recent surveys, which report that 80 percent of Americans are concerned about identity theft, thanks to the media coverage that this type of crime gets regularly.

“Creating awareness of the issue isn’t our primary challenge,” Mohan said. “Our focus is on utilizing a broad array of vehicles, each with a well-defined role including traditional awareness and transactional television, print and radio, as well as online channels, social media and blogs to reach our target audience and effectively communicate ID Watchdog’s significant differentiators.”

Mohan said that ID Watchdog is in a fortunate position right now, seeing as its sole challenge in the near term will be to manage its rapid growth.

“We have invested in a scalable, secure technology infrastructure to meet the needs of our growing customer base, and our Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Daryl Yurek has surrounded himself with innovative, visionary leaders and has built the most effective, dedicated and results-oriented team that I’ve ever had the pleasure to be involved with, top to bottom,” he said.
While ID Watchdog predominantly handles its marketing in-house, Mohan said that the company does outsource projects to a “carefully selected team of trusted partners.” He said that the company currently works with Van Nuys, Calif.-based Icon Media Direct and Santa Monica, Calif.-based Mercury Media for media buying and campaign management.

“We always have our eye out for partners that share our passion for consumer advocacy and who can help us meet our objective of protecting people, their loved ones and the lives they’ve worked so hard to build, everyday,” Mohan said.
© 2009 DailyVista ● All Rights Reserved ● (877) 339-1513 ● info@dailyvista.com

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Online Shopping Tips – Don’t fall victim to hackers and cyber-criminals

By admin | Published: December 2, 2009

While many online retailers are constantly evolving to thwart fraudulent attacks, be aware that you are still at risk every time you make a purchase over the Web. ID Watchdog is constantly monitoring for any fraudulent use of your information, and we’ll be here to protect your assets if anything should arise, but it is still important to take a few precautions as you surf the web for holiday deals:

Don’t use a debit/check card
Use a credit card when making purchases online, as opposed to a card directly linked to your bank account. If a hacker uses your checking or debit card, you will most likely be reimbursed for it with the help of ID Watchdog’s resolution services, but it could take time, putting your cash in limbo. Fraudulent purchases made by credit card are much easier to clear from your accounts.

Buy only from trusted merchants
It may be tempting to snag the cheapest deal from a random site. However, it pays to be cautious, and to only shop at retail sites that you recognize. Not only are you more assured of the seller’s legitimacy, but big-name chains often have more secure measures in place to protect from outside hackers.

Don’t enter any extra information
While you may have to enter account information for billing purposes, be wary of any extraneous data you are asked to input. For instance, a seller should usually have no reason to ask for your Social Security number or birth date for the purchase of a gift.

Maintain security
Avoid using public or widely-used computers in any instance that involves entering your account information. Also, make sure that you are shopping only from secure websites that utilize encryption. A simple way to determine a site’s security is to look at the URL at the top of your browser window — if the site is secure, it should begin with “https://”. If the site omits the “s” and it only says “http://”, do not enter any personal or account information.

Protect your passwords
Many online retailers require you to create a profile and password for shopping on their sites. As with any password connected to your personal or account information, keep these private.

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Military data breach

By ID Watchdog | Published: November 25, 2009

Last month, Wired magazine broke the news of the possible leak of information through the military’s National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). According to the report, a hard drive in the division, containing tens of millions of U.S. military veterans’ personal identifying information, began malfunctioning. According to protocol, the hard drive was shipped to the original manufacturer for repair. However, contrary to standard data safety procedures, the hard drive was not wiped clean of the sensitive information before it left the government facility.

The manufacturer that received the device, GMRI, determined that the hard drive was beyond repair, and subsequently shipped it off to a third-party company to be recycled. At this point, it is unknown how many contractors and subcontractors have had access to the hard drive, which still contains the veterans’ sensitive details.

An internal IT manager at NARA, Hank Bellomy, reported the potential vulnerability of at least 70 million veterans to identity theft. Included on the hard drive were personal details such as veterans’ Social Security numbers and health records. At this time, there is no indication that the information has been used fraudulently, but Bellomy is calling for stricter practices in handling the sensitive data of both active and veteran service men and women.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time military personnel have been faced with the exposure of their personal information. For instance, NARA has acknowledged its loss of a hard drive containing 100,000 Social Security numbers, political records and event logs from the Clinton White House. Also, in 2005, a Veteran’s Administration laptop was lost, along with the personal records of 25 million former soldiers that it contained.

There have also been a number of smaller data breaches within the military – although, “small” is relative. The hundreds and thousands of service men and women that are affected each time records are exposed must be on heightened alert for any signs of fraudulent use of their information.

The new administration has named cyber-security a “priority,” and President Obama has chosen a new archivist to head NARA, but it may take time before the policies are amended and records receive a higher level of protection.

In the meantime, rest assured that you are protected from any damage that might be done, should your personal information fall into the wrong hands. While data breaches plague corporations and organizations large and small, it seems almost impossible to avoid having your personal details accessed through one of these large-scale information leaks. Fortunately, you have ID Watchdog, and the confidence of knowing that we’ll catch any unauthorized use of your information through our monthly scans of thousands of databases. Even if your identity is one of millions accessed through a frightening data breach, we will stop any misuse of your good name and restore it.

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Protecting your identity: Take precautionary measures to avoid becoming a victim while deployed overseas

By ID Watchdog | Published: November 25, 2009

We’ve previously listed tips to protect your identity when you leave your home for an extended period of time. We encouraged you to lock up your documents and set up postal holds. While these precautions are still good measures to take before a vacation, any soldier knows that there is a lot more that goes into a multiple-month – or year – absence for deployment overseas.
As you get your affairs in order before your departure, please be sure and take the following prevention measures:

• Place an active duty alert on your credit files. This free alert is similar to a fraud alert, in that it is meant to avert thieves from opening fraudulent credit accounts in your name, but lasts for up to a year without renewals.

• Set up a Limited Power of Attorney with a trusted individual before you depart, so that your financial affairs will be taken care of in your absence.

• Closely guard your military ID and any other documents containing your personal information, especially your Social Security number.

• Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity online as often as possible, but never from a connection that may not be secure.

• Have your mail routed to a P.O. box that you check immediately upon your arrival home.

Of course, whether you are leaving for overseas military duty or not, you have already taken the most important precaution of all – trusting ID Watchdog with the security of your identity. Even if you are spending an indefinite amount of time away from home, you can rest assured that we are vigilantly protecting your personal information from fraud in your absence.

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Beware of fraudulent “FDIC” e-mail

By ID Watchdog | Published: October 28, 2009

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has responded to a series of complaints regarding a fraudulent e-mail being sent to consumers on a widespread basis. The e-mail, which claims to be from the FDIC, is a hoax that leads consumers to believe that their banks have “failed” and that the FDIC is now controlling their assets. Recipients of this e-mail are provided with a hyperlink to the FDIC’s “official website,” which is in fact a fraudulent site that contains phony instructions to download forms through provided links. According to the FDIC, these links may cause the launch of executable files on personal computers, which could be used to collect personal or confidential information from consumers.

The FDIC recommends that consumers beware of any e-mails they receive with the following subject lines:

• “FDIC has officially named your bank a failed bank”

• “check your Bank Deposit Insurance Coverage” In our continuing efforts to protect consumers from all forms of identity theft and personal information loss, ID Watchdog urges all consumers to use extreme caution when opening suspicious e-mails.

Unless you are certain of the legitimacy of the communication and the sender, never click on hyperlinks embedded in e-mails. If you are ever unsure, contact the company or entity directly through established websites or phone numbers. Also, avoid “phishing” attempts by using caution whenever you are asked to provide your personal information. If you receive an unsolicited phone call or e-mail through which you are asked to provide account numbers or other sensitive details, ask for an official toll-free number and verify the legitimacy of the organization before providing any information.

For more information on the fraudulent FDIC e-mail, please visit the FDIC’s official website at http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/alerts/

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ID Watchdog Inc. Partners with CyberPatrol

By admin | Published: October 23, 2009

DENVER – October 23, 2009 – ID Watchdog Inc. (TSX.V: IDW, OTCQX: IDWAF) today announced a strategic partnership with CyberPatrol LLC. This partnership will enable both companies to offer their customers access to online security products and identity protection services through promotionally priced products, in addition to continuous consumer education and awareness programs.

“Cyber criminals can gain access to your confidential information in a variety of ways, and then use it to commit identity fraud. This can threaten everything from your finances and personal reputation, to your livelihood and even your physical health,” said Dan Mohan, President and COO of ID Watchdog. “This partnership enables us to provide our customers with additional online security and the knowledge they need to protect the identities of their families.”

CyberPatrol addresses the growing problem of children’s identity theft by offering solutions in the form of its award-winning parental-control software.

“The services provided by ID Watchdog include not only monitoring and detection of identity theft, but can help with resolution as well. The time and knowledge required to remediate these problems can be overwhelming, and ID Watchdog manages all of this,” said John Sancin, President and COO of CyberPatrol. “By using their services alongside our online protection tools, families can feel confident that they are secure both on and offline.”

Named as one of the most valuable products of its kind by the Consumer Federation of America, ID Watchdog offers the most comprehensive suite of identity protection services on the market today. Partnering with CyberPatrol, which recently received a 4-Star Rating from PC Magazine for its online security software, allows ID Watchdog to significantly enhance its product offering to consumers.

About ID Watchdog Inc.

(TSX.V: IDW, OTCQX: IDWAF) Founded in 2005, and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, ID Watchdog is the only identity theft detection and resolution company that provides patent-pending, three-tiered comprehensive monitoring, detection and resolution for identity theft.  Unlike its competitors, ID Watchdog proactively detects identity theft problems at their source. Developed with the assistance of national consumer advocacy groups; the U.S. Postal Service; federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, and state and local Attorneys General, ID Watchdog’s service is focused on detecting the source of identity theft problems as early as possible, in as many places as possible, and taking immediate corrective action on behalf of the consumer. For more information, please visit www.IDwatchdog.com.

About CyberPatrol, LLC

CyberPatrol is a pioneer and leader in the web filtering market. Launched in 1995 CyberPatrol aims to help protect people online. In 2008, a group of private investors acquired CyberPatrol. The new management team then acquired Emerald Technology, Inc., maker of SiteCAT, which has become the core technology behind all of CyberPatrol’s world-class filtering products. These products include CyberPatrol Parental Controls, SiteSURV and SiteSURV Network all of which are cost-effective and easy to use and implement.

CyberPatrol is recommended regularly as the product of choice for online safety by many parent and computer publications. Its award-winning software is relied upon and trusted by parents, schools, libraries and businesses around the world to monitor and manage their users’ Internet access. Learn more about CyberPatrol at www.cyberpatrol.com

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release includes forward-looking statements which address future events and conditions which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, some of which may be beyond the Company’s control. Although the Company believes that its expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements are disclosed in the company’s filings with Canadian regulators at www.sedar.com

Investor Relations Contact:

Felicia Morgan

ID Watchdog, Inc.

303-339-8099

InvestorRelations@idwatchdog.com

www.idwatchdog.com

Barb Rose
CyberPatrol LLC
646-789-4433×806
Barb.r@cyberpatrol.com

Corey Oiesen

Dovetail PR

408-395-3600

coreyo@dovetailpr.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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