LifeLock not available in New York?

[duffer]

I noticed during the ad they don’t qualify New York residents. I know Rhode Island has a virtual ban on sweepstakes, but why would a state not allow a seemingly solid company?

[IvoryTowerDenizen]

I thought the ad said the 1000000 dollar guarantee wasn’t allowed in NY. I assumed the service itself is available.

[duffer]

Wasn’t paying enough attention, as good a reason as any. Thanks.

[joebuck20]

Is this the company whose CEO plastered his Social Security number in all his ads, and then ended up getting his identity stolen.

[Duckster]

@joebuck20

Is this the company whose CEO plastered his Social Security number in all his ads, and then ended up getting his identity stolen.

The CEO of Lifelock, Todd Davis, became famous for advertising his Social Security number on television ads and billboards promising his $10 monthly service would protect consumers from identity theft.

The company also offered a $1 million guarantee to compensate customers for losses incurred if they became a victim of identity theft after signing up for the service.

But the Federal Trade Commission said Tuesday that the claims were bogus (.pdf) and accused Lifelock, based in Arizona, of operating a scam and con operation. The commission announced, along with 35 state attorneys general, that it had levied a fine of $12 million against the company for deceptive business practices and for failing to secure sensitive customer data. Of that amount, $11 million will go to refund customers who subscribed to the service. Consumers will receive a letter from the FTC and their attorney general explaining how to take part in the settlement.

Wired - March 2010

[ftg]

@duffer

I noticed during the ad they don’t qualify New York residents. I know Rhode Island has a virtual ban on sweepstakes, but why would a state not allow a seemingly solid company?

You and I have very different ideas as to what constitutes a “solid company”. Look around the Net using “Lifelock” and “scam” as search words. Look at the history of the founder in particular.

NY state AGs have been more aggressive than most in going after Internet fringe companies. Lifelock apparently would prefer not to get investigated by Eric Schneiderman.

What I really like about their system is the “guarantee”: They are not responsible for any losses due to anything their software isn’t designed to catch. In principle, they could design their software to do nothing and they never have to pay up. Nice.