Latest Identity Theft Scams
ID Theft Resource
Trusted ID Review
Introduction
Based in Redwood City, CA, TrustedID originated in 2005 and is a product of funding by Opus Capital Ventures and Draper Fisher Jurvetson. The company has received recognition by the Identity Theft Resource Center (a non-profit organization) whose primary focus is the prevention and further research of identity theft activity.
TrustedID has become one of the foremost identity theft companies which have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and Newsweek. Javelin Strategy and Research has named this identity theft resource as #1 in its class and Suze Orman (renowned financial expert) has officially endorsed TrustedID.
Services for Individuals
TrustedID offers protection from identity theft attacks along with professional assistance in the event of an identity theft occurrence. The complete package consists of several features that form a comprehensive protection package consisting of:
Credit Monitoring – which consist of a daily activity that reviews the 3 major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). Should any changes be noted in any of the three reports, notification is given to the customer. Also provided are a credit score and a credit report from each one of the three bureaus.
Fraud Alert Option – The customer may authorize a fraud alert that is placed on their credit reports. This will require that the customer is contacted prior to the issuance of any new credit. In addition, a fraud alert reminder is given every 90 days in order to renew the fraud alert option.
Identity Threat Score – this score can be used to determine the perceived identity threat possibility of the customer. This assessment is made through continual monitoring of the hundreds of public and private databases that are currently available. Millions of financial records are also scoured. Patterns are then analyzed in order to determine the potential of current or future identity theft. The possibility of identity theft is then scored on a scale of 0 – 500.
Halt Unsolicited Credit Report Checks – the customer will no longer receive “pre-approved” credit offers once their name has been removed from lists used by solicitors. Other forms of junk mail will also decrease as third parties will no longer have access to the customer’s credit report.
Reviewing Possible Medical Benefits Fraud
A common source of identity theft fraud is the obtaining of unauthorized medical benefits. TrustedID will review your statement of medical benefits in order to determine if you are a victim of this particular kind of identity theft fraud.
“Black Market” Identity Theft Surveillance
A periodic scan is performed on online locations where personal information is routinely bought and sold for illicit purposes. This information could include your name and address along with your Social Security number, credit card information and bank account information.
Service Warranty – While you are a member of TrustedID, should identity theft occur, you will receive up to $1 million coverage for expenses that include:
• Legal fees
• Compromised employment qualifications that result in missed work time
• Application fees for new credit
• Days missed from work due to time needed to handle credit repair procedures
• Up to four missed work weeks are covered (maximum $5,000 in lost wages)
• Professional assistance for identity restoration is also provided by TrustedID
Family Plan – Two adults will be covered at a discount over TrustedID’s standard plan.
Credit Freeze –TrustedID will place a credit freeze with the three credit bureaus for an additional fee. This will eliminate having to manually contact all three bureaus in an emergency.
TrustedID Customer Service
Customer service for TrustedID is available 24/7 and will not be outsourced to a foreign country. The service line is staffed by identity theft professionals and the service quality is rated “superior”. Additional products are not “pushed” and are only suggested when an immediate need is indicated.
Pricing
TrustedID extends a 14-day free trial. Pricing varies based on the plan selected.