| Identity Theft ID Patrol |
| By Credit Federal |
Published
07/19/2008
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Fraud and Scams
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Equifax ID Patrol
Equifax offers a new tool called ID Patrol(TM) to help prevent identity theft.
Equifax ID Patrol combines Internet scanning tools, 24/7 identity theft resolution, credit file lock, and credit monitoring in one comprehensive product.
For about 50 cents a day, Equifax is providing consumers with a full-featured identity protection product to help them prevent, detect, and resolve identity theft.
Only Equifax ID Patrol offers protection against identity theft by providing subscribers the ability to:
- Lock and unlock their Equifax credit file (certain exceptions apply);
- Receive alerts if their Social Security number (if elected) or up to ten major credit/debit card numbers they provide are found on suspected Internet trading sites;
- Access a trained ID Theft Resolution Specialist 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and
- Receive credit monitoring and alerts within 24 hours to key changes in their credit files from the three nationwide bureaus.
"Identity thieves are constantly inventing more destructive ways to obtain consumers' personal information," says Steve Ely, president, Equifax Personal Information Solutions. "ID Patrol provides a new level of control for consumers to protect their personal information from being misused. Consumers who take proactive steps to protect their identity significantly reduce their personal risk of becoming victims."
Equifax ID Patrol is a part of Equifax's suite of credit monitoring and identity protection products designed to help consumers protect the power of their identity, credit and overall financial well-being. Monitoring your credit information regularly is one of the best ways to protect your identity.
Equifax ID Patrol(TM) Facts:
- Equifax ID Patrol is designed to alert consumers to potential instances of fraud sooner and to help prevent identity thieves from obtaining credit in their name. A proactive approach is the best way for consumers to protect themselves and minimize damage to their credit in the event that theft does occur.
- Consumers can order Equifax ID Patrol for $16.95 per month or $169.95 annually.
- Equifax ID Patrol gives consumers access to a comprehensive product that includes features exclusive to Equifax like the ability to lock and unlock their Equifax credit file (certain exceptions apply‡) and access to a dedicated, specially trained team of identity theft resolution specialists available around-the-clock, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- In the event that an Equifax ID Patrol subscriber becomes a victim of identity theft, they can be reimbursed for a range of expenses up to $20,000 with no deductible (certain limitations and exclusions apply) and at no additional charge to the subscriber. ††
- Comprehensive, credit monitoring-based identity protection product like Equifax ID Patrol does even more to help consumers protect themselves and minimize the damage that can be caused by identity theft. An initial 90-day fraud alert is an indicator to the lender that additional steps should be taken to verify that the consumer authorized a request to open a new credit account, increase the credit limit on an existing account or obtain a new card on an existing account.
- Because the longer it takes to detect identity theft the costlier the damage that can be done, Equifax ID Patrol features daily credit monitoring and alerts consumers to activity on their credit file within 24 hours of key changes, so that if they see evidence of fraud, they can act quickly. Additionally, Equifax ID Patrol enables consumers to restrict access to their Equifax credit file with Equifax Credit Report Control‡**- one of the most effective ways to prevent identity thieves from obtaining credit in their name.
Equifax Identity Theft Resolution Specialists are part of a dedicated team of trained representatives who help victims understand what steps they should consider taking to act quickly and assertively to minimize the damage that identity theft can cause. Specialists will provide victims with an identity theft resolution kit that includes the following:
- Identity Theft Resolution Checklist. A resource of contact numbers and websites of the appropriate government agencies to notify in the event one's identity is stolen. The checklist also lists some additional steps consumers should consider taking.
- Fraud Affidavit. The Identity Theft Resolution Specialist will assist the consumer in completing portions of the Fraud Affidavit and provide the Fraud Affidavit to the consumer. The consumer will then need to check the Fraud Affidavit for accuracy, sign it, make copies and send it to their creditors.
IDENTITY THEFT STATISTICS
- 8.1 million people were victims of identity theft in 2007.
- Every minute 15 people become new victims of identity theft.
- $5,574 is the average identity fraud amount per individual in 2007.
- On average it takes a victim of identity theft 157 hours to resolve new account fraud.
- Identity theft is now surpassing drug trafficking as the nation's number one crime.
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