Thursday, July 13, 2006
NAFCU Services Endorses PrivacyGuard ID Theft Solution
NAFCU Services Corporation Strengthens Relationship With Affinion Group, Endorses PrivacyGuard ID Theft Solution
Toronto and Arlington, VA - July 13, 2006 - NAFCU Services Corporation, a subsidiary of the National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU), announced today it is strengthening its Preferred Partner relationship with Affinion Group, a leading global affinity marketer, by endorsing its PrivacyGuard ID theft protection service.
"Our evaluation process is rigorous, and identifies firms that offer `best-of-breed' products and services," said NAFCU Services Corporation President, David Frankil. "We evaluated Affinion Group and PrivacyGuard against many competitors, including some of the leading names in the identity theft and fraud protection business. Identity theft is a major and growing concern for consumers, and PrivacyGuard is a market-leading solution"
NAFCU Services also endorses Affinion Group's value-added checking services and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance programs.
PrivacyGuard, which was launched by Affinion Group in 1992, is a pre-eminent national identity theft protection product that offers daily credit monitoring, identity fraud resolution support and identity theft insurance.
"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. "PrivacyGuard has a long and successful track record that offers security and other enhanced benefits to 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.
The PrivacyGuard service offers:
- 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, certain derogatory items and new account information.
- Credit Reports - Members can 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 eligible out of pocket expenses.
- Driver's Record & Medical Information Bureau Search - access to your motor vehicle violations and points, and medical information file should one exist.
About NAFCU Services Corporation
The National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU) was founded in 1967 to represent the interests of federal credit unions through legislative action, education and practical assistance. The Association's wholly-owned, for profit subsidiary, NAFCU Service Corporation, was formed in 1975 and its Preferred Partner program was launched in 1996, to offer special designation to a limited group of suppliers who offer superior products and services to the credit union industry. To be named a "Preferred Partner," the provider must undergo a thorough due diligence process, and is evaluated by an independent third party against top peers through competitive RFPs. A rigorous comparative analysis precedes any recommendation to the NAFCU Services Board. For more information about NAFCU Services Corporation contact David Frankil, President at 800-336-4644 or .
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.
Affinion Group has established itself as a premiere security, credit monitoring and identity theft protection innovator. It launched HotLine, a leading, credit card, fraud protection and, security service in 1969. PrivacyGuard, a comprehensive membership credit monitoring product which was created in 1992, remains one of the largest in the U.S. Other ID theft protection services in Affinion's thriving security business include PC SafetyPlus, an identity theft software service that protects members with a personal firewall to thwart hackers and other online ID threats. PC SafetyPlus software features automatic updates and service upgrades for protection against prevailing computer viruses and worms.
About Affinion Group
As a global leader with nearly 35 years of experience, Affinion Group (www.affinion.com) enhances the value of its partners' customer relationships by developing and marketing valuable loyalty, membership, checking account, insurance and other compelling products and services. Leveraging its expertise in product development and targeted marketing, Affinion helps generate significant incremental revenue for more than 5,300 affinity partners worldwide, including many of the largest and most respected companies in financial services, retail, travel, and Internet commerce. Based in Norwalk, Conn., the company has approximately 3,300 employees throughout the United States and in 10 countries across Europe, and markets in 14 countries globally. Affinion holds the prestigious ISO 27001 certification for the highest information security practices, is PCI compliant and Cybertrust certified. For more company and investor information visit www.affinion.com.