Last week, Phoenix New Times revealed that Robert J. Maynard, Jr., a founder of LifeLock, a company that offers to protect people from identity theft, is himself suspected of being an identity thief. Among New Times' findings: Another company Maynard owned, a credit-repair company called the National Credit Foundation, was investigated by state and federal authorities and was suspected of stealing money from its customers. Court records show that the company "withdrew funds from consumers' checking accounts without authorization." As Wired notes, Maynard denied wrongdoing, but the federal government issued a permanent injunction banning him from "advertising, promoting, offering for sale, selling, performing, or distributing any product or service relating to credit improvement services." In the meantime, one of LifeLock's competitors, Truston, seized the opportunity to offer a 50 percent discount to any current LifeLock customers.

Continue ReadingAlt-Weekly Investigation Reveals ID-Theft Entrepreneur’s Shady Past

And we won't make you blog to qualify! If you were registered for the convention as of last week, be on the lookout for a Willamette Week envelope. For inside that envelope is a TriMet ticket good for a Max train ride from PDX to downtown Portland. The train leaves the airport every 15 minutes; after a 29-minute ride, it'll drop you at Pioneer Square, which is two blocks south of the Hilton.

Continue ReadingFree Transportation from the Airport

Portland's Alma Chocolate will provide the sweet, sweet reward for 2007 AAN attendees who contribute to the convention blog at Portland2007.AAN.org. Post thoughts on a session, a guest speaker, nightlife or your Portland adventures, and take home a chocolate concoction by Alma. Or just email your convention pictures to Photos *at* AAN *dot* org - be sure to include your name in the body of your email as a photo credit. Blog participants who've earned their cocoa will be listed in the "Chocolate Winners!" column of the blog. Alma Chocolate can also be found on Saturday's Farmers Market tour [see convention events].

Continue ReadingFree Chocolate for Convention Blog Participants

Tim Granlund rocks a military theme and goes by the nickname of "Six String General" in his quest to reach September's Air Guitar World Championships in Finland, the Washington Post reports. The 23-year-old Granlund faces his first challenge this Wednesday in the D.C. round of the U.S. Air Guitar Championships (if you're so inclined, you can buy tickets here). He'll have 60 seconds to win over the judges and move on to the next round of competition. He gives the Post insight into his air guitar strategy and says he's working on his signature move, the "hump jump." Granlund also talks shop, describing his air guitar as "a vintage thing ... it's got one of those triangular-looking deals going on. It's pink, totally wild and crazy."

Continue ReadingC-Ville Weekly Advertising Assistant Aspires to Air Guitar Glory