Identity Theft Program


Identity theft is the fastest growing financial crime in America ... striking thousands of victims each year.  In a matter of seconds, personal information such as a social security number, credit card number and/or an address can be stolen and used to obtain a new mortgage, line of credit or additional credit cards.

Victims may never know that their identities have been stolen until unauthorized transactions appear on credit card statements, collection notices appear in the mail or loan applications have been declined.  In a short period of time, extensive damage can be done as a result of a stolen identity event.

Restoring one's name and good credit is a time consuming and expensive process.  On average, it takes six months to detect identity theft and about 200 hours to recover from the crime.  Victims must endure a number of costly steps to dispute fraudulent debts land accounts opened by an identity thief.

Our unique identity theft solution provides members with the four (4) components necessary to restore their identity and prevent future incidences of identity theft.

Our program administrator maintains a level of experience and expertise that enables them to provide the consulting and restoration services required by financial institutions and individuals with identity theft problems.


Identity Monitoring

Identity Monitoring monitors the activity associated with an identity across multiple data sources to detect the type of fraudulent activity that takes place prior to the theft of an individual's identity.  Sources include:

  • Credit Bureau Data

  • DMVs

  • Bankruptcy Lien & Judgment Filings

  • Utilities

  • Public Records

  • Private Contributory Databases

An identity fraud usually precedes identity theft, this type of proactive alert system is critical to mitigating the extensive and expensive damage perpetrated after an identity is stolen and manipulated.


Identity Theft Restoration

Upon notification of an identity theft incident, paralegals will:

  • Consult with the covered member to determine the severity
     of the theft.

  • Prepare and overnight a customized, pre-completed, state-
     specific "ID Recovery Kit
    ©"

  • Contact all three credit reporting agencies and obtain a free
     credit report.

  • Place fraud alerts on the covered member's credit records.

  • Notify the appropriate bank or agency if other forms of
     identification were stolen.

  • Notify local authorities of identity theft incident.

  • Restore member's identity to its pre-theft state.


Identity Theft Insurance

Each member will also receive up to $25,000 worth of identity theft insurance coverage*. This coverage will help members offset some of the cost of restoring their identity to its original status, including:

  • Lost Wages:  $500.00 per week, for up to 4 weeks

  • Re-Filing of Loans

  • Eligible Defense Costs for Civil & Criminal Lawsuits

  • Reimbursement of Fees: Re-filing applications for loans,
     grants or other credit instruments that are rejected solely as a
     result of a stolen identity event

  • And more ...

* Identity Theft Insurance is not available in NY.  Identity Theft Insurance is underwritten by a nationally recognized Insurance Carrier with an "A" or better AM Best rating.  Coverage is limited only to the member and not dependents.


Lost/Stolen Credit Card Assistance

In the event a member loses or has a credit card stolen, our paralegals will:

  • Consult with the member to determine the severity of the
     event.

  • Contact each credit card company in question while the
     member is on the phone.

  • Cancel the member's affected credit cards and request new
     replacement cards.

  • Place fraud alerts with all three major credit bureaus.

  • Assist the member in interpreting their credit reports.

  • Provide daily credit monitoring from all three credit
     bureaus for six (6) months to help prevent any further
     fraud.


Copyright © 1998-2008  McClaren & Associates.  All Rights Reserved.
Last modified: February 23, 2008