Affinion Group, CompUSA Launch Retail ID Theft Service
Affinion Group, a leading global affinity marketer, and CompUSA, one of the nation's leading retailers of technology products and services, have partnered to offer PrivacyGuard -- a comprehensive identity theft protection service -- at more than 240 CompUSA locations nationwide. Information containing the enrollment form will be available in every check lane as well as on-line at www.compusa.com.
PrivacyGuard, which was launched by Affinion Group in 1992, is a pre-eminent national identity theft protection product that offers daily credit monitoring, identity fraud resolution support and identity theft insurance.
"As identity theft escalates and more people become victims of this fraud, there's an even greater need in the marketplace for a robust identity theft product that can offer security and peace of mind," said Frank Abagnale, a former master forger and leading fraud prevention expert, whose life story became a blockbuster movie called Catch Me If You Can. "PrivacyGuard has a long and successful track record that offers security and other enhanced benefits to keep up with today's fast-paced lifestyle."
Also included in this new retail ID theft service is a detailed guide with tips and information on how to protect your identity, your credit and your good name, and a DVD featuring advice from Abagnale -- including perspectives and innovative ideas on avoiding this skyrocketing fraud from the leading authority on fraud prevention and ID theft protection.
Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America, with 27.3 million victims in the past five years, and nearly 20 million in the past two years alone, according to a study from Javelin Strategy & Research. This crime costs more than $56 billion, or $6,383 per victim, annually, according to the study. The crime has become so prevalent, that an identity thief strikes on average every 3.5 seconds.
"The privacy and security of our customers is a high priority for CompUSA," said Brian Woods, executive vice president and general merchandising manager for CompUSA. "PrivacyGuard is one more tool we are offering to customers to provide them with peace of mind and protection from identity theft."
The CompUSA PrivacyGuard service offers:
- Daily Credit Monitoring from one of the three national reporting agencies -- Experian, Equifax or TransUnion -- which will make members aware of any credit file inquiries, derogatory items and new account information.
- Credit Reports -- Members can receive their credit scores and have access to analysis tools that include data from one or all three of the national credit reporting agencies.
- Identity Fraud Resolution Service & Insurance -- Victims who call the toll-free hotline will be assigned a caseworker that will assist with issuing a fraud alert with three national credit-reporting agencies. In addition, the victim will receive a personalized fraud resolution kit that includes: educational information; contacts of government agencies and financial institutions; personalized letters to send to the credit reporting agencies and financial institutions; tips on how to file a police report; and a worksheet for victims to track activities and time spent resolving their issue. The resolution service will also provide assistance with obtaining the appropriate legal solutions. If the member's identity is stolen, the member also receives up to $10,000 in ID theft insurance, with no deductible, to cover out of pocket expenses.
PrivacyGuard is offered by Affinion Group, a leader in the membership, insurance, value added checking and loyalty marketing businesses, providing products and services that touch the lives of millions of Americans.
About Affinion Group
Affinion Group is a leading affinity direct marketer of value-added membership, insurance and package enhancement programs and services to consumers. With more than 30 years of experience, Affinion Group currently offers its programs and services worldwide through more than 4,500 affinity partners. Its diversified base of affinity partners includes leading companies in a wide variety of industries, including financial services, retail, travel, telecommunications, utilities and Internet. Affinion Group also has a growing loyalty solutions operation that administers points-based loyalty programs. Based in Norwalk, Conn., Affinion Group has approximately 3,600 employees throughout the United States and in 13 countries across Europe.
About CompUSA
CompUSA, Inc., a Dallas-based company, is one of the nation's leading retailers and resellers of technology products and services. CompUSA currently operates more than 240 locations in more than 90 major metropolitan markets across the United States and Puerto Rico. In addition, CompUSA's Web site offers an assortment of more than 170,000 items. Visit them at www.compusa.com.