LifeLock: “People to Lose their Jobs”
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[/media-credit]LifeLock, the online identity theft protection outfit, is once again in trouble. That shouldn’t surprise anyone that’s followed the company. After all, the business seems to be based on a string of lies fabricated by Robert J. Maynor Jr., a man legally barred from working in the credit repair industry, due to his history of false advertising and deceptive business practices. If you haven’t been following the company, you might still remember the kooky, but effective, ads CEO Todd Davis made where he plastered his Social Security Number on billboards and across our TV screens. Only later did the company admit Davis had, as a result of the ad campaign, his identity stolen 13 times over the course of the two-years.
A couple of years ago, LifeLock found itself in trouble once again for, you guessed it, false advertisement. Exactly two-years ago today, March 6, 2010, the Federal Trade Commission ordered LifeLock to pay 13 million dollar fine for their deceptive claims. In addition, in 2008, the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs filed a complaint against LifeLock for, yes, deceptive claims.
In spite of LifeLock’s established history of false advertising and deceptive practices, for some crazy reason hundreds of thousands of gullible people still shell out $10 to $15 a month for a service they can easily do themselves for free in just a few minutes.
However, LifeLock is not in trouble this time with the government. Rather, what has put LifeLock under the microscope this time is the fact the company has refused to halt its advertising on Rush Limbaugh’s show, after Limbaugh called a third year Georgetown Law student a “slut” and a “prostitute” and demanded he watch the videos of her having sex. (All normal red meat stuff for so-called “family values” conservatives).
Under pressure from women and their supporters, no less than nine major advertisers have pulled their support on Limbaugh’s show. But not LifeLock. In an email sent to the Huffington Post, ”We do not agree with Rush Limbaugh’s recent comments but we acknowledge his apology,” LifeLock Chief Marketing Office Marvin Davis wrote in a statement emailed to The Huffington Post. “At this time, we are not making any changes to our advertising program.”
Limbaugh’s statements have caused a national outrage. Yet LifeLock continues to blindly support Limbaugh. The wrath of women may turn out to be LifeLock’s greatest run-in with trouble thus far. One need only go to LifeLock’s Facebook page to see hundreds of angry wall postings from customers and potential costomers expressing their disgust in LifeLock’s choice to stand with Limbaugh.
There are even some claiming that LifeLock’s phone personal are telling their customers if they close their accounts workers at LifeLock will find themselves out of a job. For example, Cathy Scianini posted on LifeLock’s Facebook page: “I just called and cancelled my renewal with Lifelock. Boy are they trying hard to keep customers. Even saying I could be causing people to lose their jobs with LIfelock. I told them up front it’s because of Limbaugh. . . . . do the same folks.”
Again, for those that have researched or followed LifeLock, it should come as no surprise that their staff is trying to use scare tactics to keep their customers from closing their accounts. After all, they built their entire business in scaring customers into believe they should pay $10 a month for something anyone can do for free within minutes.
LifeLock: "People to Lose their Jobs",
Dean Walker is a freelance writer of articles, essays, short-stories, and poems. In one way or another, he has worked as an environmental and human rights activist. Dean is the publisher of Expats Post.
Tags: boycott, dean walker, Frank Rich, hurricane dean, idenity protection, LifeLock, Robert J. Maynor Jr., Rush Limbaugh, scam, sexism, Todd Davis
Lifelock and its claims have always struck me as false, Dean. Like Limbaugh, they play on base fears with no realistic program. Now they tell those who want them to drop Limbaugh that people will lose their jobs? Despicable. I am so glad you brought this to the fore. Life lock cannot deliver on what they promise in their absurd promotions. People need to guard their social security numbers with their utmost discretion, not with LifeLock. There are those who can figure out a person’s social security number. The first three numbers indicate when you got it. The second two indicate where, or what city. Computer programs can do the rest. Under no circumstances should those first five numbers be given to anyone.
Dean,
The email you cite is almost a verbatim quote of the one sent to me in response to my request they let Rush go!
Last I heard 12 sponsors had cut him loose.
This is another of those magnificent Hurricane exposes.
I notice Oxycontin played a big part in Maynor’s lifestyle. Perhaps that is the bond with Rush.
Great piece!
Larry
I posted this on LifeLock’s Facebook page:
“You can advertise on any networks you choose. This does not excuse, advertising in support of a program by a bullying misogynist. Your response is evasive. If you truly value your customers, show your support for decency towards women by pulling your advertisements from Rush Limbaugh.”
Let’s all go there and speak up for decency toward women and full respect for their civil rights.
Agreed, this is a terrific expose’ Dean! Not sure how and where you get the time and the determination to ferret out the specific details and nitty-gritty of these commercial, personal, social, et al failings, but it sure impresses the hell out of me! Thank you, for the great work and to your fellow writers… the written word is sacred to me and I’m so appreciative of those who do it with such obvious passion. Kudos All!