Affinion Group, a leading global affinity marketer, and The Kroger Co., one of the nation's largest grocery retailers, have partnered to launch PrivacyWatch - an identity theft protection service available for the first time in a retail location. The new service will initially be marketed in more than 200 Kroger stores in the Houston and Dallas metropolitan areas. Information containing the enrollment form will be available in every check lane as well as on-line in the "What's New" page on the Kroger website (http://www.kroger.com).

Norwalk, Conn. - April 11, 2006 - Affinion Group, a leading global affinity marketer, and The Kroger Co., one of the nation's largest grocery retailers, have partnered to launch PrivacyWatch - an identity theft protection service available for the first time in a retail location. The new service will initially be marketed in more than 200 Kroger stores in the Houston and Dallas metropolitan areas. Information containing the enrollment form will be available in every check lane as well as on-line in the "What's New" page on the Kroger website (www.kroger.com).

PrivacyWatch is a comprehensive identity theft product that offers daily credit monitoring, identity fraud resolution support and identity theft insurance. Other services also are provided including online neighborhood reports (home values, crime rates, local school information and more), drivers record access, Medical Information Bureau monitoring and a detailed Social Security report. PrivacyWatch also includes financial tools such as a "What-If" simulator to help customers manage their credit scores; auto, mortgage and loan calculators; and other online tools that help customers balance and determine monthly payments.



"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. "PrivacyWatch offers security and other enhanced benefits that keep up with today's fast-paced lifestyle."

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.



"We understand that our customers are concerned about the possibility of identity theft. Kroger is very pleased to offer this innovative and valuable service to our customers", said Bill Breetz, President of Kroger's Southwest Division.

PrivacyWatch offers these services:

• 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 will 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.

About PrivacyWatch

PrivacyWatch 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 Kroger



Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains. At the end of fiscal 2005, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,507 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banners including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smith's and Smith's Marketplace, Fry's and Fry's Marketplace, Dillons, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operated (either directly or through subsidiaries, franchise agreements, or operating agreements) 791 convenience stores, 428 fine jewelry stores, 579 supermarket fuel centers, and 42 food-processing plants. For more information about Kroger, please visit our web site at www.kroger.com.

About Affinion Group
As a global leader with almost 40 years of experience, Affinion Group (www.affinion.com) enhances the value of its partners' customer relationships by developing and marketing loyalty solutions. Leveraging its expertise in customer engagement, product development and targeted marketing, Affinion provides programs in subscription-based lifestyle services, personal protection, insurance and other areas to help generate increased customer loyalty and significant incremental revenue for more than 5,550 marketing partners worldwide, including many of the largest and most respected companies in financial services, retail, travel, and Internet commerce. Based in Stamford, Conn., the company has approximately 4,250 employees and markets in 17 countries globally. Affinion holds the prestigious ISO 27001 certification for the highest information security practices, is PCI compliant and Cybertrust certified.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This press release may contain statements that are forward looking, as that term is defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 or by the Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations and releases. These statements include, but are not limited to, discussions regarding industry outlook, Affinion's expectations regarding the performance of its business, its liquidity and capital resources, its guidance for 2011, the consummation of the acquisition of Prospectiv and the impact to Affinion's business and the other non-historical statements in the discussion and analysis. These statements can be identified by the use of words such as "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "continues," "estimates," "predicts," "projects," "forecasts," and similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs only as of the date of this press release and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, risks related to general economic and business conditions and international and geopolitical events, a downturn in the credit card industry or changes in the techniques of credit card issuers, industry trends, foreign currency exchange rates, the effects of a decline in travel on the Company's travel fulfillment business, termination or expiration of one or more agreements with its marketing partners or a reduction of the marketing of its services by one or more of its marketing partners, the Company's substantial leverage, restrictions contained in its debt agreements, its inability to compete effectively, and other risks identified and discussed from time to time in Affinion's reports filed with the SEC, including Affinion's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Readers are strongly encouraged to review carefully the full cautionary statements described in these reports. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances.