Mayor Karl Dean Announces Free ID Theft Protection

[DeSwiss]

I spotted this at 23rd District Metro Council Member Emily Evans's blog:

Mayor Announces Free ID Theft Protection

Mayor Dean announced today that Metro would provide one year of free ID Theft protection through Debix to the 337,000 voters whose personal data was compromised by theft of two laptops at the Election Commission. In addition, people who sign up for the program will be able to purchase an additional year at a reduced price of $9.50.

You will recieve a letter from Metro telling you of this program and providing you with an access code. You will be able to register by mail or online at www.debix.com/nashville. The Debix program will include Fraud Alert, Credit Monitoring, ID Theft Insurance, Pre-Approved Offers prevention.

Debix has worked with other cities on similar projects and they estimate that 25%-35% of voters will take Metro up on the offer. The cost to Metro is estimated at less than $1,000,000 and it will be paid out of an insurance fund. Presumably, Metro will attempt to recover some of this money from Wackenhut for their negligence.

The Mayor's office appears to have taken the idea of paying for credit monitoring and gone it one better by striking a deal that provides credit monitoring and insurance. They have also found a good source for providing the support and customer service that would be difficult for Metro to get up and running on such a short schedule.

http://metrocouncildistrict23.blogspot.com/2008/01/mayor-announces-free-id-theft.html">Link

Also: Debix parent company site- http://www.identitytheftlabs.com/">IdentityTheftLabs

- Karl Dean just earned a couple of pointers with me. Now if he can get rid of the Wackenhut rentacops, I'll be sold. Or, at least wake them up....

[southerncrone]

1. Good move by Dean.

Happy New Year, DeSwiss! :toast:

Wackenhut should be paying for this. I hope the city takes them to court over it if necessary.

When will companies & govts realize that portable data storage puts personal data at risk! It is a no-brainer! NO personal data records should be stored on ANY portable device including: laptops, flashdrives, discs, or PDA's.

I hope that a security standard is adopted across the nation prohibiting this.

People's lives have been ruined by identity theft. It is very costly, emotionally, financially, & time-wise, often dragging on for years b/4 an individual can return to a normal life. Most term it a "living nightmare".