More than 2,000 Maine consumers received a small check earlier this year, $10 each from a company called LifeLock.

More than one million consumers nationwide also received checks to settle complaints against the company.

While the amounts were small, the Federal Trade Commission allegations against the company were serious.

LifeLock, the FTC said, had exaggerated both the threat of Internet identity theft and the company’s ability to protect its customers from fraud.

That’s why it is disappointing to see the National Rifle Association now promoting the organization to its members.

A recent NRA membership renewal included a letter from the NRA’s treasurer and chief financial officer recommending members purchase LifeLock’s identity theft protection for $9 per month, a 10 percent discount off the regular price.

The FTC, as well as several lawsuits, had objected to LifeLock’s blanket guarantee to protect its customers from identify theft, and to its $1 million protection promise.

Consumer groups, and attorneys general in 34 states, complained the company was charging people $10 per month to take fraud protection steps they could easily take themselves, and for free.

LifeLock works by contacting one of the nation’s three large credit bureaus and filing a fraud alert on each customer’s behalf.

This puts a red flag on your credit report and forces potential new creditors to take additional steps to verify it’s really you seeking credit under your name.

The fraud alert must be updated every 90 days, and anyone can do it for free by calling either TransUnion (800-680-7289), Equifax (800-525-6285) or Experian (888-397-3742).

LifeLock simply makes the call on your behalf — for $30 every 90 days.

Unfortunately, most fraud occurs under existing credit lines, which remain completely unprotected.

The company also promises to stop the credit card offers that arrive at your home.

Again, this is something you can do yourself, and for free, by calling 888-567-8688.

LifeLock also has been criticized for something called its affiliate reseller program.

A Google search for LifeLock brings up thousands of hits for blogs, supposed news sites and reviews. Most shower the company with praise and provide links to buy its services.

However, most or all are operated by affiliates who receive a 30 percent commission on each sale generated by their site or review.

Lawyers also have questioned LifeLock’s $1 million guarantee.

“There is no $1 million guarantee,” one lawyer told consumeraffairs.com. “If you look at the terms of the contract, it very clearly says, ‘We won’t pay consequential damages. We won’t pay you directly,’ so there’s really no way to get the million dollars.”

The FTC settlement with LifeLock did require the company to change its bold promises and guarantees of protection.

The NRA offer, however, still says “… with LifeLock, the next time you make a purchase, bank online, or go to the grocery store, you can do so with confidence — at home or while traveling.”

While you can take steps to reduce the chance of ID theft, nobody should have confidence they are completely protected.

And, unless you have money to burn, nobody should pay for services that are largely free and available to all.

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