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About Identity Theft

What is Identity Theft?

The act of using someone's personal information (such as a name, address, account number, driver's license number, Social Security Number (SSN), health insurance number) without that person's knowledge, and using the assumed identity to commit fraud or theft.

Is it serious? How many people become victims each year?

Yes, identity theft is a serious crime. It continues to be one of the fastest growing crimes in America, with estimates of as many as 11 million Americans having their identities stolen each year.

How can identity thieves get my information?

Identity thieves have become increasingly savvy at gaining access to people's personal information. Here are some sources thieves employ:

Common sources:

Hacking into a bank, credit union or credit card company's database*
Phishing - when a scammer sends an e-mail that appears to come from your bank or another legitimate company, asking you for personal information such as your credit card or Social Security Number
Bank statements - even from your kids' school bank program
Credit card statements
Restaurants and bars where you swipe your credit and debit cards
Department stores
ATM machines
Dumpster diving - the act of going into people's garbage searching for junk mail, bank statements or other material that may contain personal information

Other sources that don't easily come to mind:

Data breach from an elementary, middle or high school or university via stolen laptops, doctor's offices or medical insurance companies where your Social Security Number may be stored or used as a policy number
Your kids' immunization records
Hospital where you gave birth since the application for your new baby's Social Security Number is filled out at the hospital
County Recorder's office where your house deed is registered and recorded
County Municipal Hall where you file and get the official marriage certificate, birth certificate, and death certificate. These certificates have your entire family's address, SSN, DOB, DOD, telephone number and other personal details.
Car dealerships where you bought your present and past cars. They usually attach your latest credit report and score to your purchase document.
Social Security Administration
Veterans Administration, its affiliates and hospitals. They not only have information on military personnel, but also on the families and beneficiaries of the veterans.
Previous Employers - They have your SSN, your past and present names (maiden name), past and future addresses, your old W2s, 401K and beneficiary forms, etc.
Frequent flyer clubs
Grocery store clubs
Library cards
"Pay day" check cashing outlets
Sports associations
Passport centers
Human Resource departments of companies where you've applied for employment.

* Javelin Study, 2006

What do thieves do with stolen information?

Once they have your personal information, identity thieves use it in a variety of ways:

Credit card fraud:

They may open new credit card accounts in your name. When they use the cards and don't pay the bills, the delinquent accounts appear on your credit report
They may change the billing address on your credit card so that you no longer receive bills, and then run up charges on your account. Because your bills are now sent to a different address, it may be some time before you realize there's a problem
They may steal a pre-approved credit card application out of your mailbox, fill it out with a change of address (usually directing it to a vacant house) where they will obtain the card and begin charging on it - sticking you with the charges

Phone or utilities fraud:

They may open a new phone or wireless account in your name, or run up charges on your existing account
They may use your name to get utility services like electricity, heating, or cable TV

Bank/finance fraud:

They may create counterfeit checks using your name or account number
They may open a bank account in your name and write bad checks
hey may steal your bank checks out of your mailbox and use them fraudulently
They may clone your ATM or debit card and make electronic withdrawals in your name, draining your accounts
They may take out a loan in your name

Government documents/Benefits fraud:

They may get a driver's license or official ID card issued in your name but with their picture on it
They may use your name and Social Security Number to get government benefits
They may file a fraudulent tax return using your information

Other fraud:

They may get a job using your Social Security Number.
They may rent a house or get medical services using your name.
Often, the personal information is used to get loans or open credit-card accounts. Identity thieves may rent an apartment, obtain a credit card, or establish a telephone account in your name. You may not find out about the theft until you review your credit report or a credit card statement and notice charges you didn't make-or until you've been contacted by a debt collector or collection agency. Additionally, they may give your personal information to police during an arrest. If they don't show up for their court date, a warrant for arrest is issued in your name.

Aside from the expense and personal time required to resolve an identity theft, some victims who have had their identity stolen have lost job opportunities, been denied loans and housing, have had to pay higher deposits for utilities or cellular telephone contracts, and have been left with destroyed credit and reputations.

What are the various types of identity theft crimes?

According to the FTC, the breakdown is as follows:

25% involve fraudulent credit card activity
16% involve telephone and utilities fraud
16% involve bank fraud
14% involve "other" identity theft crimes, such as medical identity fraud, child support issues and evasion from law enforcement
14% involve employment-related fraud
10% involve government documents or benefits fraud (fraudulent tax return or Social Security)
5% involve some type of loan fraud

Source: FTC, Executive Summary: Consumer Fraud and Identity Theft Complaint Data, January - December 2006

How much does it cost to repair an identity theft?

While some identity theft victims can resolve their problems quickly, others may spend thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of personal time repairing damage to their good name and credit record.

Occasionally, some victims have recurring problems. That is, the identity thief may try to strike again. To stay on top of the situation, continue to monitor your credit reports and read your financial account statements promptly and carefully. You may want to review your credit reports once every three months in the first year of the theft, and once or twice a year thereafter.

How does a thief steal a person's information?

Unfortunately, identity thieves steal their data from a variety of sources:

They may remove mail from your trash - such as a pre-approved credit card application.
If you don't shred your sensitive financial information, they may remove your credit card statements, bank statements, driver's license information, tax information, stock or 401K information from your trash. Once you put your trash can out on the street, it becomes public information.
Thieves working in restaurants and bars may swipe your credit card information (name, account number, expiration date, etc.) using a special storage device when processing your card
You may receive an email or pop-up message that resembles a bank or credit card company - asking you to "verify" your personal information and send it back to them

Are businesses at risk of identity theft?

Yes. Identity thieves may steal records or personal information from customers at a business (or, in the case of medical fraud, patients). Thieves may hack (gain illegal access) into the company's computer system or bribe an employee who has access to these records.

A business could also become victim of a data breach - the unauthorized disclosure of information that compromises the security, confidentiality, or integrity of personally identifiable information. In fact, one of the most common data breach events involves a lost or stolen laptop computer that contains sensitive customer (or patient) information.

If identity theft is such a big problem, what is the government doing to stop it?

The Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act, enacted by Congress in October 1998 (and codified, in part, at 18 U.S.C. $1028) makes identity theft a federal crime. Recently, the federal government's Identity Task Force outlined several pieces of legislation to curtail identity theft. This legislation includes the deletion of personal information on federal documents shown online, as well as protocol for the handling, distribution and procurement of sensitive information.

However, the government can only do so much, and many times, is slow to respond. That's why it's important for you to take proactive steps now to protect you and your family from fraud and identity theft. Know that monitoring your family's personal credit information is one of the best - and most affordable - early detection systems.

My Credit Report

Which credit reporting company's credit report do I receive?

McAfee Identity Protection provides you an Experian® Credit Report.

How do I get my online Experian® Credit Report?

You can get your online Experian Credit Report right here at McAfee Identity Protection when you sign up for a membership. Simply purchase the product, fill out your information for identification verification purposes (including your Social Security Number), answer a few questions, and your credit report will be available to you online, in seconds, once your identity has been verified.

Your Username and Password will enable you to view your credit report for 30 days in your online McAfee Identity Protection account in the most secure environment we can provide. As an active McAfee Identity Protection member, you get unlimited Experian Credit Reports.

Where do I view my Experian Credit Report?

After logging in to your McAfee Identity Protection account, you can view your Experian Credit Report by going to the Credit Reports page.

How many Experian Credit Reports can I get?

As an active McAfee Identity Protection member, you get unlimited Experian Credit Reports. You can view each report online for 30 days.

How do I generate a new Experian Credit Report?

You can request the most updated version of your Experian Credit Report at any time by logging in to your McAfee Identity Protection account, going to the Credit Reports page, and clicking the Get a New Report link – this will generate a new, updated Experian Credit Report.

Why should I get my online Experian Credit Report?

To stay on top of your credit, it's a good idea to check your credit report on a regular basis. Here are some of the top reasons why you should request your Experian Credit Report today:

Make sure your information is accurate and ready to be reviewed by lenders, landlords, or employers.
To look for potential signs of identity theft so you can take immediate action and stop any potential financial damages.

What are some potential signs of identity theft?

As a member of McAfee Identity Protection, you may receive three types of alerts: credit alerts, Internet alerts, and address change alerts. You can identify potential signs of identity theft for each of these alerts:

Credit Alerts: You may receive an alert that a new financial account (credit card, loan, etc) has been opened in your name, or that some institution (bank, credit card, etc) has requested a copy of your credit report. If you are unaware of this activity, this is a potential sign of identity theft.
Internet Alerts: You may receive an alert that your credit/debit card has been detected in Internet chat rooms or forums. If you are unaware of this activity, this is a potential sign of identity theft.
Change of Address Alerts: You may receive an alert that your mailing address has changed, as reported by the United States Postal Service or creditors. If you have not recently changed your address, this is a potential sign of identity theft.

For any potential signs of identity theft, you may find help by calling Customer Support.

How do I find potential signs of identity theft on my Experian Credit Report?

Your Experian Credit Report is displayed in different sections: Personal Profile, Credit Summary, Public Records, Credit Inquiries, Account History, and Credit Score. Each of these sections displays your personal information and history. Look through each of these sections to make sure the information displayed is accurate and applicable to you. If you find any items that are inaccurate – such as credit card accounts you never opened, loans you never took out, addresses you never lived at, credit inquiries you are unaware of, criminal records that aren’t yours – these may be potential signs of identity theft. For any potential signs of identity theft, you may find help by calling Customer Support.

How long will my online credit report be available?

Your credit report is available online for 30 days. It's a good idea to print a copy for your records when you first view it. As an active McAfee Identity Protection member, you get unlimited Experian Credit Reports. You can view each report online for 30 days.

Why didn't I get my online credit report?

Although we usually deliver online credit reports to our customers within seconds, there are some instances in which we are prohibited from doing so. These include:

When we are not able to verify your identity. For your security, we only deliver your credit report when you pass our online identity verification process.
When we are experiencing a technical issue.
When the credit reporting company does not return a credit report. Sometimes the credit reporting company does not have enough information to create a credit report for you.

I've already received my included online credit report from McAfee Identity Protection. How can I get another copy of my online credit report?

As a McAfee Identity Protection member, you may request a new Experian Credit Report at any time by selecting to run your new Experian Credit Report on your Credit Reports page. You may also purchase a full 3 Bureau Credit Report (with Equifax and TransUnion credit reports added) complete with 3-bureau credit scores by logging in to your McAfee Identity Protection account and clicking on any link to purchase the 3 Bureau Credit Report on your Protection Center page and your Credit Reports page. You may also request a free statutory credit file disclosure from each of the national credit reporting companies through a central source once per year. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com for more information.

Isn't everyone entitled to one free credit report annually?

Yes. The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act) allows consumers to get one free comprehensive disclosure of all of the information in their credit file from each of the three national credit reporting companies once per year through a central source. To obtain that free report, you must go to www.annualcreditreport.com.

In addition, consumers also have the right to a free credit file disclosure directly from the credit reporting companies if they:

are the recipient of an adverse action (for example, denial of credit) due to information contained in their credit file;
are unemployed;
are a recipient of public welfare assistance;
have inaccuracies in their credit file due to fraud.

For more information, please see the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

McAfee Identity Protection

How do I get my McAfee Identity Protection membership?

To get the benefits of full identity theft protection through a McAfee Identity Protection membership, simply log in to your McAfee account and purchase the McAfee Identity Protection product. You will then be prompted to activate your new McAfee Identity Protection product by completing a separate enrollment and verification process. Once the enrollment process is complete and your new McAfee Identity Protection account is active, you are automatically enrolled in powerful daily credit monitoring and change of address alerts, among many other features. You also will be able to log in to your new McAfee Identity Protection account and view your most current Experian Credit Report, as well as set up your Internet scan alerts and Lost Wallet protection.

How do I receive my Experian Credit Report and monitoring alerts?

Your McAfee Identity Protection membership includes an Experian Credit Report when you sign up, and then unlimited Experian Credit Reports at any time. Your credit report will be available online, in seconds, once your identity has been verified. You can also purchase additional 3-bureau credit reports & 3-bureau scores at your convenience online.

As a McAfee Identity Protection member, you will also receive credit monitoring, Internet scan, and National Change of Address (NCOALink®) alerts. When changes are detected, you will receive an email and, if you choose, SMS Mobile Text Messaging alerts.

How do I enroll for SMS Text Messaging alerts?

Alerts are always sent through email. As a member, you also have the option to receive alerts via SMS Mobile Text Messaging. There are two alert emails that are also available through SMS Mobile Text Messaging:

1. Monitoring Alert -- This will inform you when a key change is detected on any of your three national credit reports, your personal credentials are found on the internet, or a change of address request was made through the United States Postal Service®.

2. Monthly All Clear Alert -- This will inform you when no key changes have been posted to any of your three national credit reports in the past month.

To begin receiving SMS Text Messaging alerts, simply log in to McAfee Identity Protection and click on the My Identity Settings tab in the upper navigation bar, then click on Alert Settings. You are able to set up, modify, or cancel text message alerts from the Alert Settings page for no additional cost.

If you need help with alerts text messaging, simply text HELP to the short code you are enrolled in from your mobile device. To stop receiving text message alerts, simply text STOP to the short code you are enrolled in from your mobile device, or opt-out from the Alerts Settings page. Be advised, STANDARD AND MESSAGING DATA RATES MAY APPLY.

What if I see something on my Experian Credit Report that requires me to contact my creditors?

Your Experian Credit Report contains creditor contact information, specifically phone number and address. If you ever need to contact your creditors directly, the information is at your fingertips in the Account History section of your Experian Credit Report.

How do I change the information on my report?

Items in your Report will not be changed unless the information is proven to be inaccurate. If you find an item you deem inaccurate, you may initiate the dispute process that could result in updated information. To access online disputes with Experian, go to a current online copy of your credit report and click on the Dispute Information button located at the top of the page. If you do not have a current copy of your credit report, you can choose to purchase a new credit report.

What is the $1 Million Product Guarantee?

Information regarding the $1 Million Product Guarantee can be found by clicking here. The Product Guarantee is not offered, applicable or available to residents of the State of New York.

I’ve already logged into my McAfee account, why do I need to enter a Username/Password when I log into my McAfee Identity Protection account?

Requiring you to enter your McAfee Identity Protection Username/Password offers a second layer of security to help keep your account and your identity safe, private, and protected. The main McAfee system and the McAfee Identity Protection system are kept separate to provide you with extra layers of identity protection.

What do the green and red alert colors mean on the Protection Center page?

The different colors are indicators of your alert status health.

Green: you have no alerts – no new activity has been detected. This is good news and no further action is needed.
Red and gray: you have new alerts – new activity has been detected. You should go immediately to your Protection Alerts page to discover the nature of the new activity. Red can also indicate that your account is inactive, and you are not being protected by McAfee Identity Protection.

How do I change my profile information?

After logging in to your McAfee Identity Protection account, click on the My Identity Settings tab in the upper navigation bar. Here you can change your personal information. Please note: changing your information on this page does NOT change your information for your main McAfee account – these two systems are kept separate to provide you with extra layers of identity protection.

How do I change my account Username and/or Password?

After logging in to your McAfee Identity Protection account, click on the My Identity Settings tab in the upper navigation bar. Here you can change your Username and/or Password. Please note: changing your Username/Password on this page does NOT change your Username/Password for your main McAfee account – these two systems are kept separate to provide you with extra layers of identity protection.

What do I do if I forget my account Username and/or Password?

If you have forget your McAfee Identity Protection Username and/or Password, simply go to the Login page and click the Forgot your Username or Password? link. Enter your full name, last 4 digits of your Social Security Number, and date of birth, and click Submit. You will then be prompted to enter your mother's maiden name, and answer the question you chose as your Reminder Phrase. If you answer correctly, you will be prompted to change your Password.

Once you’ve logged in, click on the My Identity Settings tab in the upper navigation bar. Here you can view your Username and Password, and change them, if you desire.

How do I cancel my membership?

If you want to cancel your McAfee Identity Protection membership, please contact Customer Support.

How do I reactivate my membership?

If your McAfee Identity Protection account has become inactive, please reactivate by calling Customer Support.

If I wasn't able to complete the McAfee Identity Protection enrollment process will I be charged?

It is possible that enrollment in your McAfee Identity Protection membership may fail to complete successfully after you have already paid. In such a case, your credit card may be charged. To receive a full refund, please contact Customer Support.

If, after purchasing the McAfee Identity Protection, you experience a system failure while in the middle of your enrollment & activation process (such as a power outage, etc), simply log in to your McAfee account again and re-start the enrollment & activation process.

What is the difference between a McAfee Identity Protection Individual plan and Family plan?

The Individual plan consists of:

Full-featured identity protection for one adult individual.

The Family plan consists of:

Full-featured identity protection for two separate adult individuals (yourself and one other adult), age 18 and older.
Credit monitoring for multiple children, up to age 18.

Credit Monitoring Alerts

What are credit monitoring alerts?

Your Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion credit reports are monitored daily to see if key information has changed or if new data has been added. You will receive a monitoring alert if essential information has changed on your report – this alert email will be sent via email or, if you choose, SMS Mobile Text Messaging. That way, you can identify fraudulent activity early in cases where credit activity is unfamiliar or unauthorized.

A Monthly All Clear email will be sent when no changes have been posted to any of your three national credit reports in the past month.

When will I receive my first credit monitoring alert(s)?

If you are a new member, please note that it may take up to five to seven days from the date you ordered McAfee Identity Protection to be enrolled in the daily monitoring system.

Why did I only get alerts for one or two of the credit reporting companies instead of all three?

It can take up to five to seven days for you to begin receiving alerts of key changes to your credit reports from all three national credit reporting companies. Each credit reporting company will process your enrollment independently, so processing times may vary among the three companies.

Which credit reporting company's credit report does McAfee Identity Protection monitor?

McAfee Identity Protection monitors all three of your national credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. You will be notified of several important changes to any of your credit reports with email and, if you choose, SMS Mobile Text Messaging alerts. You'll know about recent inquiries into your credit, and of several other indicators of possible identity theft.

What if I receive a credit monitoring alert regarding an issue with my creditors?

Certain credit monitoring alerts also contain creditor contact information, in case you need to resolve any issues with them. You can contact the appropriate creditor directly using this information. If you suspect identity theft please contact Customer Support immediately so we can help you take steps to resolve this.

Internet Scan Alerts

What are Internet scan alerts?: Every day, thousands of pieces of personal information such as Social Security Numbers and credit/debit cards are sold over the Internet for fraudulent use. That's why adding your Social Security Number and/or credit/debit cards for scanning is so important. Once you have added your Social Security Number and/or credit/debit cards, we will scan the Internet daily including many suspected criminal chat rooms where trading and selling of personal information takes place. If we detect your Social Security Number or credit/debit card, you will receive an alert so we can help you take immediate action.
What do I do if I receive an Internet scan alert?: Every day, thousands of pieces of personal information such as Social Security Numbers and credit/debit cards are sold over the Internet for fraudulent use. That's why adding your Social Security Number and/or credit/debit cards for scanning is so important. Once you have added your Social Security Number and/or credit/debit cards, we will scan the Internet daily including many suspected criminal chat rooms where trading and selling of personal information takes place. If we detect your Social Security Number or credit/debit card, you will receive an alert so we can help you take immediate action.
How do I select my Social Security Number and/or add Credit/Debit cards for Internet scanning?: To select your Social Security Number and/or add Credit Debit Cards, log in to your McAfee Identity Protection account, click on the My Identity Settings tab in the upper navigation bar, then click on Internet Scan. You may add your Social Security Number and up to 3 Credit/Debit cards.
Can I add more than 3 Credit/Debit cards?: No, you can add up to 3 Credit/Debit cards for Internet scanning.
Will you tell me the website or Internet chat room where my Social Security Number or Credit/Debit card was found?: Because criminal websites and chat rooms constantly move from place to place on the internet, we will not be able to provide you the web address where your information was found. Also, certain websites are not accessible by the general public. If your information is found, we will alert you so that we can help you take immediate action.

Change of Address Alerts

What are Change of Address Alerts?

Change of address alerts are provided when a new address has been reported by a creditor/lending institution to one or all of three of the national credit bureaus. Additionally, permanent address changes filed with the United States Postal Service® NCOALink® are also provided. Once a change of address is detected, we will notify you with an alert.

Disclaimer: NCOALink® processing is performed by a non-exclusive licensee of the United States Postal Service®. The following trademarks are owned by the United States Postal Service: NCOALink® and United States Postal Service. The prices are not established or regulated by the United States Postal Service or the US Government. Experian AD 4.09.

What do I do if receive an change of address alert, but didn't change my address?

If you receive a change of address alert and you did not move or update your address, please contact us immediately so we can help you take appropriate steps to further protect your identity and identify if you are at risk. Thieves often change address information as the first step to stealing an identity.

McAfee Identity Protection Family Plan

How do I purchase the McAfee Identity Protection Family plan?

To purchase the McAfee Identity Protection Family plan and offer identity theft protection for you and your family, log in to your main McAfee account and choose to purchase the McAfee Identity Protection Family plan from the available selection of identity theft protection products. Then simply follow the instructions to enroll & activate your new Family plan product.

Who can I include in my McAfee Identity Protection Family plan?

Your Family plan provides identity protection for:

Yourself
One additional adult individual (18+ years old)
Multiple children (under 18 years old)

How do I sign up my adult family member in my Family plan?

To add an adult under your Family plan, log in to the McAfee Identity Protection site and click the Add an Adult link on your Protection Center page. You will then be shown a unique Enrollment Code you need to give to your adult family member or adult friend, who will then use the Enrollment Code to enroll. You will also have the ability to send an email to that adult family member that contains the Enrollment Code and the webpage the adult needs to visit to enroll.

On the Protection Center page, you can also click the Family Members link at the top of the page and follow the instructions to add an adult.

Once the added adult member receives the Enrollment Code, the added adult must go to the McAfee Identity Protection home page, click the enrollment link, and proceed to enroll, entering their own personal information, along with the Enrollment Code. A new separate McAfee Identity Protection account will be created just for that added adult member, complete with their own Username/Password, individual credit monitoring, Internet scan, Lost Wallet protection, etc. The added adult member will not have access to your account or receive alerts related to your children.

Does the adult I add under my Family plan need to be a direct family member?

No, the adult you add under your Family plan does not have to be a family member. The adult can be any adult individual age 18 years or older.

Can my added adult member protect children from identity theft?

No, your added adult member in your Family plan cannot enroll any children to help protect them from identity theft. Only the primary adult in the Family plan can enroll children.

How does my added adult member cancel his/her account?

Your added adult member can cancel his/her account by calling Customer Support and requesting to cancel the account. Your added adult cannot cancel your account.

Can I cancel my added adult member’s account?

Yes, you can cancel your added adult member’s McAfee Identity Protection account by calling Customer Support and requesting to cancel your added adult’s account.

Can my added adult member cancel my account?

No, the added adult member cannot cancel the primary adult’s McAfee Identity Protection account.

What happens to my added adult’s account if I cancel my account?

If the primary adult member’s McAfee Identity Protection account expires or is canceled for any reason, the added adult member’s benefits and account will also terminate.

What is child identity protection?

Child identity protection is available under the McAfee Identity Protection Family plan, and helps you protect your children from identity theft by closely monitoring your enrolled children's credit information, and alerting you if someone applies for credit or opens credit accounts using your children's personal information and identity.

How do I protect my children from identity theft?

You can protect your children from identity theft by enrolling in the McAfee Identity Protection Family plan, which offers identity protection for multiple children. You must be the children's legal parent or guardian. You can enroll up to 5 children through your account online, then enroll more than 5 children by calling Customer Support. On a monthly basis, McAfee Identity Protection Family plan will monitor the credit report for each enrolled child from the Experian credit bureau. You will then be alerted if someone applies for credit or opens credit accounts using your children's personal information.

How do I sign up my children in my Family plan?

To add a child under your Family plan, log in to your McAfee Identity Protection account and click the Add a Child link on your Protection Center page. You will then be able to enter your child’s information so that we can begin monitoring for that child.

On the Protection Center page, you can also click the Family Members link at the top of the page and follow the instructions to add a child.

You can enroll up to 5 children through your account online, then enroll more than 5 children by calling Customer Support. You must be the children’s legal parent or guardian. You will then be alerted if someone applies for credit or opens credit accounts using your children's personal information.

You will not be able to enroll a child that has reached the age of 17 years and 9 months for McAfee Identity Protection. Minor children enrolled by you will be automatically un-enrolled within seven (7) days before their eighteenth (18th) birthday, based on the date of birth information provided by you in the enrollment process. After that time period, you will not receive monitoring of any sort regarding that child.

Why does my child have a credit history?

There are several legitimate reasons for your child to have a credit history. Some banks and credit card companies allow parents to add children to their credit cards. Your child might have a credit history if he or she is listed as an authorized user on your account. Similarly, some financial institutions (banks) allow minors to obtain checking accounts.

Why can't I see my child's information online?

We take you and your children's privacy and security seriously. That's why we insist upon verifying your identity before we show you any of your children's personal information such as credit reports. Because there is no definite way for you to prove that you are the parent or guardian of your child online, we require you to fax documentation to us as proof. Once we have received this information and verified that you are the parent or guardian, you will be able to obtain a hard copy of your child's information in the mail. That way, no else can access your child's information.

If I can obtain this information about my child's files, can't other people also obtain this information?

No. That is why you cannot view your child's information online. You must first fax in documents proving that you are the parent or legal guardian before we will send your child's credit files.

If I enroll my child, what will you do with my child's information?

When you enroll your children, we use their information to monitor their credit information. We are unable to monitor your children's personal information until you provide us with their first and last names, dates of birth, and Social Security Numbers. This information is required to verify their identities. Your children's information is safe with us, and will be used to verify their identities, and so we may begin monitoring their personal information.

Is my child entitled to a free credit report by law?

Yes. You will find instructions for requesting your child's free Credit Report at www.annualcreditreport.com. For security and privacy reasons, only parents or guardians may request a credit report on behalf of a minor child less than 13 years of age. Please note that additional identification documentation must be provided to prove you are the child's parent or guardian. Instructions for completing these requests can be accessed through www.annualcreditreport.com.

Can I monitor my child without enrolling myself in the McAfee Identity Protection Family plan?

No. You must be an active primary adult with the McAfee Identity Protection Family plan in order to enroll and protect your children.

How can I reactivate identity protection for my child?

Once you have deactivated your child from child identity protection, you must contact Customer Support to reactivate that child.

Lost Wallet Protection

What is Lost Wallet Protection?

Lost Wallet Protection helps protect your Credit, Charge, Debit, ATM and Medical cards in the event that they are lost, stolen or misused. You also have the option to register your cards with us so that you have them recorded in case you physically lose your wallet or purse.

Where may I add, edit, delete, or view my cards?

You may add, edit, delete, or view your added cards by logging into your McAfee Identity Protection account, clicking on the My Identity Settings tab in the upper navigation bar, and then clicking on Lost Wallet.

What should I do if my credit or debit cards are lost or stolen?

If your credit, debit or medical insurance cards are lost or stolen, please contact Customer Support immediately to speak with a Fraud Resolution agent who will begin the process of cancelling your cards. You will be assigned a dedicated Fraud Resolution agent who will work with you one-on-one from start to finish until all your cards are cancelled and reordered. The agent will stay on the phone with you and, if necessary, will initiate and host three-way calls with you to your banks and credit agencies to ensure that you talk to the right people to help resolve your problem.

Also, if you find that you have your cards, but someone has used your account fraudulently without your authorization, please call us immediately.

Do laws limit my responsibility for unauthorized charges?

ATM or Debit card. The amount for which your card issuer holds you liable will depend on how quickly you report your lost or stolen cards to your card issuer. If our product fails and your card issuer holds you liable for unauthorized charges made after you report your missing cards to us, we will guarantee you reimbursement for those charges. To view the terms and conditions of the Guarantee, click here.

How do I contact Customer Support if I am in a foreign country?

If your credit cards are lost or stolen while you are in a foreign country, you may place an international collect call to 1-479-573-7378 to speak with Customer Support to begin the process of cancelling your cards.

3-Bureau Credit Report

How do I get a 3-Bureau Credit Report?

You can purchase a report that contains credit reports and credit scores from all three major credit bureaus in the USA. To get your 3-Bureau Credit Reports/Scores report, log in to your McAfee Identity Protection account and click on the link to purchase the 3-Bureau Credit Report on your Protection Center page and your Credit Reports page. After completing the purchasing process, your new 3 Bureau Credit Report will be available to you on your Credit Reports page in your McAfee Identity Protection account. You can view each report online for 30 days.

Remember, as an active McAfee Identity Protection member, you get unlimited Experian Credit Reports. Purchasing a 3-Bureau Credit Report will also generate a new Experian Credit Report for you, so you won’t need to run a new Experian Credit Report at that time.

You may also request a free credit report from each of the national credit reporting companies through a central source once per year. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com for more information.

How is a 3-Bureau Credit Report different from a single-bureau credit report?

The 3-Bureau Report includes your credit reports from all three national credit reporting companies - Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. A single-bureau report contains your information on file at one of those three credit reporting companies.

Remember, as an active McAfee Identity Protection member, you get unlimited Experian Credit Reports.

Why is my credit information and score different among the three credit reporting companies?

When creditors report information to the credit reporting companies, they can choose to which company(ies) they want to report. Some report to only one, whereas many report to all three. When a creditor chooses only to report to one or two of the credit reporting companies, the remaining company(ies) will not have access to, and therefore will not include, that account information in your report. For that reason, your credit scores may differ among your reports.

Why is it important to check my credit report & credit score at all three credit reporting companies?

The information in each credit report may vary, so it’s important for you to know what’s in all three. Also, when creditors, landlords, and potential employers check your credit information, they can pull your credit report and credit score from any credit reporting company(ies). Some only check one credit reporting company; some check all three. By checking all three yourself, you'll be prepared no matter which company(ies) they check.

How long does it take to get my 3-Bureau Credit Report?

After you pass our online authentication process, you will generally receive your online credit report and score within a minute or so. However, if we are unable to automatically verify your identity, you will receive instructions for further verification.

Why didn't I get my online credit report?

Although we usually deliver online credit reports to our customers within seconds, there are some instances that prohibit us from doing so. These include:

When we are not able to verify your identity. For your security, we only deliver your credit report when you pass our online identity verification process.
When we are experiencing a technical issue.
When the credit reporting company does not return a credit report. Sometimes the credit reporting company does not have enough information to create a credit file for you.

Please note, your credit card may have been charged. To request a full refund, please contact Customer Support.

How long will my 3-Bureau Credit Report be available?

Your credit reports are available online on your McAfee Identity Protection account for 30 days after they are delivered. It's a good idea to print a copy for your records when you first view it. Remember that as an active McAfee Identity Protection member, you get unlimited Experian Credit Reports.

How do I get my Credit Score?

You can purchase your Experian Credit Score by logging in to your McAfee Identity Protection account and clicking on the link to purchase the Experian Credit Score on your Protection Center page. After completing the purchasing process, your new Credit Score will be available to you under the Credit Score section on your Credit Reports page in your McAfee Identity Protection account.

How long will my online Experian Credit Score be available?

Your Credit Score is available online on your McAfee Identity Protection account for 30 days after it is delivered. It's a good idea to print a copy for your records when you first view it.

How can I learn more about my Experian Credit Score?

To many consumers, a credit score is a mysterious number. Where does the score come from? What does it mean?

Until now, the answers to these questions were overly complex and often hard to understand. The easy-to-understand Experian Credit Score helps consumers can see what factors in their credit history may directly influence their credit score. The Credit Score formula was developed using the latest data available on U.S. consumer habits, so consumers can see how their credit compares to today's average U.S. consumer.

The Credit Score is derived from information based on a consumer's credit report, using a formula similar to those used by lenders. It can range from 330 to 830, with a higher score indicating a lower credit risk. The Credit Score offers consumers an inside view to their credit score so they have the information they need, regardless of who they turn to for their borrowing needs.

The Credit Score is not related to the FICO score.

General Questions

Is this site secure?

Yes, the process of sending and receiving your information is encrypted using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption. This technology helps ensure that your credit card and other sensitive information is protected. Preferred web browsers are: Netscape 6.05 or later, Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or later, and AOL 8.0 or later. Our company has rigorous security screening processes set up by ICSA and the credit reporting agencies.

What will happen to the information I enter?

The information that you provide is used to verify your identity and remains in our system. Additionally, you are only able to view your report for 30 days. (The credit reporting companies will always keep your record, of course). We do not resell or provide your credit information to any third-party marketers. Please see our Privacy Policy for full details about how we protect the information you submit to us.

I wasn't able to receive my credit report & score I ordered or complete my enrollment. Was I charged?

It is possible that your 3 Bureau Credit Report, Credit Score, or product enrollment process may fail to complete after you have been charged. To request a full refund, please contact Customer Support.

Will ordering my credit report hurt my score?

Any time your credit report is pulled - including when you order a copy of your credit report directly from the credit reporting company - an inquiry is added to your report. Only some of those inquiries appear to creditors and therefore impact your credit score. Inquiries that were made for credit cards or loans for which you applied will be shown to creditors. Inquiries added when you request a copy of your credit report or when an employer checks your credit report do not appear to creditors. We are pulling your credit report on your behalf, so the inquiry on your credit report will not be shown to creditors and will not affect your credit score.

However, ALL inquiries will be displayed on copies of your credit file disclosure that you order directly from the credit reporting companies' consumer assistance centers. This is done so you know who has been looking at your credit. Some inquiries on your report are accompanied by a description of why the report was pulled.

I don't have a credit card. Can I still purchase an online credit report?

As a form of payment, we accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.

What is the refund policy if a transaction or enrollment fails?

If your request is within the first 30 days of purchase, we'll gladly provide you a full refund. We do not provide partial refunds. To request a refund, please contact Customer Support.

Where is my credit report?

You may view your Experian Credit Report by logging into your McAfee Identity Protection account and going to the Credit Reports page.

Will my spouse's name and information appear on my report?

The credit reporting companies maintain credit files on individual U.S. residents only. They do not maintain joint files for spouses. Only accounts that are in both your names or those for which you are an authorized user will show up on your report. Therefore, your credit report is separate and different from your spouse's.

How do I dispute possible inaccuracies on my credit report?

If you have reviewed your credit report and believe that the information is inaccurate, you can dispute it online for the fastest resolution. To access online disputes log in to your McAfee Identity Protection account, go to your Credit Reports page, and click on the Dispute Information button located at the top of the page.

To request an investigation into information you don't agree with on your Equifax or TransUnion credit report, you should write directly to the credit reporting company that supplied the information. For details, please visit the Resolution Center page located in the links near the top of your Protection Center page on the McAfee Identity Protection site.

Can I order someone else's credit report?

No, you cannot order someone else’s credit report. Under federal law, any person who knowingly and willfully obtains information on a consumer from a credit reporting company under false pretenses (for example, getting a credit report on an individual without his/her permission) shall be fined under Title 18 United States Code, or imprisoned for not more than two years, or both.

What are my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act?

The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is designed to promote accuracy, fairness, and privacy of the information in the files of credit reporting companies. Please click here for the summary of your major rights under the FCRA.

What if I forget my Username and Password?

If you have forgotten your Username or Password, click Forgot your Username or Password? link at the Login page. Enter your full name, last 4 digits of your Social Security Number, and date of birth, and click Submit. You will then be prompted to enter your mother's maiden name, and answer the question you chose as your Reminder Phrase. If you answer correctly, you will be prompted to change your Password.

What is your authentication process and what happens if I don't get authenticated instantly?

Generally, we can authenticate you online immediately after you place an order. If you order a product that is delivered instantly, and we are unable to verify your identity online, we will deliver you a Private Access Code (PAC) letter via U.S. mail within five to ten days, which code will allow you full access to your McAfee Identity Protection account the next time you log in. For your protection, if we are still unable to verify your identity, you will be referred to Customer Support. You may also call Customer Support before receiving the PAC letter in the mail to verify your identity.