Discover Offers Free Service to Alert Cardmembers If Their Social Security Numbers Are Found on Risky Websites
July 20 2017 - 9:00AM
Business Wire
New Alerts Help Discover Cardmembers Protect
Themselves from Identity Theft or Fraud
Starting today, Discover is offering a free service that
monitors risky websites known to illegally sell or trade personal
data and alerts Discover cardmembers if their Social Security
numbers are found. In addition, Discover will alert cardmembers if
any new credit cards, mortgages, car loans or other accounts are
opened on their Experian® credit report. These new alerts are aimed
at helping Discover cardmembers protect themselves from identity
theft or fraud.
With this new offering, Discover is the only major credit card
that lets cardmembers activate both Social Security number alerts
and new account alerts for free1.
“Helping our cardmembers protect their personal information has
always been one of our highest priorities,” said Julie Loeger,
Discover’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer.
“We’re raising the bar even higher by offering these new alerts for
free to our cardmembers. It’s our way of looking out for our
customers beyond just their Discover accounts.”
In the event that a cardmember’s Social Security number is found
on a risky website or if a new account shows up on their Experian®
credit report—even if it’s not a Discover account—the cardmember
will receive an email alert or optional text alert. The alerts are
intended to help cardmembers determine whether their identities may
have been compromised. Cardmembers can call to speak to one of
Discover’s 100% U.S.-based customer service agents. If it appears
that their identity is at risk, Discover agents can walk them
through the necessary steps to help resolve the issue as quickly as
possible.
“Knowing is the first step toward preventing or resolving
identity theft or fraud. That’s why our new alerts are intended to
make sure our cardmembers are in the know when their identities
might be at risk,” Loeger added.
Identity fraud is on the rise in the U.S., increasing 16 percent
last year to reach a record 15.4 million victims2. What’s more, 49
percent of U.S. consumers feel their personal information is less
secure than it was five years ago3.
Discover’s new alerts are part of a wide range of security
features available to Discover cardmembers, including:
- Freeze ItSM, which enables
cardmembers to freeze their Discover card account in a matter of
seconds to prevent new purchases if their card is lost or
stolen
- Monitoring of every Discover card
purchase every day for every customer
- $0 Fraud Liability Guarantee so
cardmembers never have to worry about being responsible for
unauthorized purchases on their Discover card
For more information about Discover’s free Social Security
number and new account alerts, go to
www.discover.com/freealerts.
About Discover
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking
and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands
in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the
company has become one of the largest card issuers in the
United States. The company issues the Discover card, America's cash
rewards pioneer, and offers private student loans, personal loans,
home equity loans, checking and savings accounts and certificates
of deposit through its direct banking business. It operates the
Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access
locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks;
and Diners Club International, a global payments network with
acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. For more
information, visit www.discover.com/company.
1Only Discover® as of June 2017. Discover Identity Alerts are
offered by Discover Bank at no cost, only available online, and
currently include the following services: (a) daily monitoring of
your Experian® credit report and an alert when a new account is
listed on your report; (b) daily monitoring of thousands of risky
websites known for revealing personal information and an alert if
your Social Security Number on is found on such a website. This
information is intended for, and only provided to, Primary credit
cardmembers whose accounts are open, in good standing and have an
email address on file. The Primary cardmember must agree online to
receive identity alerts. Identity alert services are based on
Experian information and data which may differ from information and
data at other credit bureaus. Monitoring your credit report does
not impact your credit score. This benefit may change or end in the
future. Discover Bank is not a credit repair organization as
defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair
Organizations Act. See Frequently Asked Questions.
2Javelin Strategy and Research’s 2017 Identity Fraud Study
3Pew Research Center’s 2016 Americans and Cyber Security
Study
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DiscoverDerek
Cuculich224-405-0665derekcuculich@discover.com@Discover_News
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