Only 15 Percent of Americans Feel They Have the Tools Needed to Protect Their Personal Data, Survey Finds
September 17 2018 - 9:00AM
TransUnion® Outlines Consumer Concerns in
National Survey, Introduces New Mobile App to
Empower Consumers
TransUnion (NYSE: TRU), a leading global risk and information
solutions provider, today announced key survey findings that reveal
personal data security is increasingly top of mind for people, and
most consumers feel unprepared to deal with it. Seventy-five
percent of respondents indicated they have become more concerned
about data breaches in the past year. More than 50 percent think
they are vulnerable to identity theft and credit card fraud, and
more than 75 percent of respondents know someone who has been
affected by a fraud or data breach. However, only 15 percent of
respondents feel highly confident they have the tools they need to
protect themselves from fraud and data breaches.
To provide consumers with a free resource for protection,
TransUnion recently launched an app called myTransUnion. The new
mobile app allows consumers to quickly and easily freeze and
unfreeze their credit reports for free in a matter of seconds,
whenever they need, right from their pocket. A credit freeze
protects consumers by preventing lenders from checking a credit
report to open a new account – which can prevent fraudsters from
opening an account in a consumer’s name and also prevents credit
information from being released for certain other inquiries.
myTransUnion is available for download from the Apple App Store and
Google Play Store.
TransUnion is introducing the app in time for consumers to take
advantage of the “free freeze” law that goes into effect on
September 21, 2018. In May 2018, the Economic Recovery, Regulatory
Relief, and Consumer Protection Act was signed into law requiring
that consumers be given the ability to place and remove a freeze on
their credit files -- for free. TransUnion applauds this law as an
important step forward in empowering consumers with the tools they
need to understand and manage their credit and protect their
personal information.
“As personal data protection becomes an increasingly growing
concern, we are more passionate than ever about encouraging
consumers to take action,” said John Danaher, President, Consumer
Interactive. “That’s why we are continually building our portfolio
of tools to help prevent fraud and data breach.”
It is this portfolio that empowers consumers by offering
different options to meet their needs. Danaher noted, “Through the
years, we’ve given consumers the power to protect their credit and
their data through an array of innovative services and products,
many of which are free. TrueIdentity is one example that gives
millions of consumers the ability to lock and unlock their credit
with a single swipe while also providing insurance for identity
theft. And earlier this year we were the first to provide alerts in
our consumer products that notify consumers with a locked credit
report that a fraudster has attempted and been stopped from
applying for credit in their name.”
According to the company’s latest survey, many Americans have
experienced a fraud and/or data breach, with 54 percent of
respondents indicating that they have been a victim at least once.
Further, one in five of those victims reported they have been a
victim more than once in the last 18 months.
“Data security can feel daunting,” Danaher added. “That is why
we’re thrilled to introduce our new myTransUnion app which makes it
easier than ever before to protect your credit information.”
For more information visit transunion.com/credit-freeze. To get
started with a free credit freeze, download the myTransUnion mobile
app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
About the SurveyTransUnion conducted an online
survey of 1,000 nationally representative US adults ages 18+,
fielded by IPSOS in August 2018.
About TransUnion (NYSE:TRU) Information is a
powerful thing. At TransUnion, we realize that. We are dedicated to
finding innovative ways information can be used to help individuals
make better and smarter decisions. We help uncover unique stories,
trends and insights behind each data point, using historical
information as well as alternative data sources. This allows a
variety of markets and businesses to better manage risk and
consumers to better manage their credit, personal information and
identity. Today, TransUnion has a global presence in more than 30
countries and a leading presence in several international markets
across North America, Africa, Latin America and Asia. Through
the power of information, TransUnion is working to build stronger
economies and families and safer communities worldwide. We call
this Information for GoodSM. transunion.com
Contact |
Bob Skwarek |
|
TransUnion |
E-mail |
bob.skwarek@transunion.com |
Telephone |
312-985-2453 |
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1236cba7-10b4-4723-9390-df61385f6454
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