How effective is The TrustID Credit Fraud Monitoring Service?

The web has made a great many things in our lives much easier to do, such as shopping or communicating with family and friends, but as wonderful as it has been for all of the advantages it offers to us, it has its share of negative side effects. One of these, is that as easy as it is for you and me to access the web and look at just about anything we like from the comfort and safety of our own homes, it is also easy for criminals to be able to get access to the very things we hold most dear. Information that never would have been a problem for us to protect in previous decades has not become a truly hot property for a variety of criminal groups and individuals who specialize in the trafficking of this stolen personal data.

The crime itself goes by a name that you have no doubt heard in the media in recent years: identity theft. This is one of the fastest growing segments of the crime industry and has become nearly as valuable as street drugs, making it sought after not only by criminals in North America, but also by those from other countries where the desperate economic conditions of intense poverty and harsh, but underfunded law enforcement agencies make this an easy and painless way to make money at other's expense. Since the crimes are very difficult to detect for the average person, many people have no clue that they have been victimized until months or even years on down the road. This has lead to the formation of a brand new industry that leverages the power of the web's infrastructure to provide a very comprehensive level of service that will watch over an average person's personal data.

How is this done? The companies have highly trained specialists who are constantly on patrol, monitoring data flowing across various networks around the world and they make use of cutting edge technologies they designed specifically to watch out for these types of numbers such as Social Security numbers and other private data. By being on constant guard 24 hours a day, 365 days out of the year, these companies can provide a consumer with a high level of protection that simply would not have been possible in previous eras. Their services are in huge demand and though there are several different options, TrustedID and Lifelock are two of the primary brands.

When it comes to name recognition, Lifelock is a bit better known thanks to the fact that they were able to run a huge number of TV commercials to promote their brand, but TrustedID is a fast up and comer from a big name in the identity theft market: Scott Mitic. This is one of the foremost experts in the field of identity crimes and after his family had been the victims of criminals targeting this type of private data on several different occasions, Mitic founded TrustedID as a way to fight back by offering a truly deep level of service that many other companies to not offer. One of the major strong points that is touted about this company is the fact that they are constantly scanning the internet black market.

Most people do not realize that there is a black market online, but there is definitely a solid network of criminals who regularly trade in stolen consumer data that is then used to funnel money through credit cards to make purchases and perform a wide variety of crimes that may or may not be the primary concern of law enforcement agencies in certain countries. The criminals involved in these organizations are not impenetrable, however, which is how TrustedID is able to snoop on their networks and watch for your data. Their private secured database is then scanned against the data being traded in these illicit markets and if your name, date of birth or Social Security number shows up, you are given an instant alert to let you know that you will then need to take instant action in order to get control over your personal information once again.

Not only does TrustedID offer this particular service, they also offer what is known as a security freeze. They begin contacting credit organizations which have influence over your credit reports to let them know that they need to stop any incoming applications with your name and data on them before problems arise. By putting a quick freeze on this data, the companies are then able to make sure that no credit cards are taken out in your name, nor is your reputation ruined at the hands of careless thieves. Since there is a $10 fee at each of the big three major consumer credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion), TrustedID administers the notice on your behalf. This might sound like a small favor, but consider the fact that if you either can't remember or have lost track of your PIN number you are not going to be able to use your debit card or ATM card in order to get the funds to pay these agencies to put a hold on your credit reports.

Another advantage that TrustedID features is the fact that they give you free software that you can use to make sure your personal data is also safe on your computer. Their anti spyware packages are installable on up to 3 separate computers which is handy for those of us who are heavily engaged in the web. This software looks out for your best interest online which is incredibly important because you have to remember that most of these black market criminals are getting their data directly from unsuspecting victims. This is one way that TrustedID goes a step or two further than a variety of other products of a similar nature.

For a little over $7 a month, this has to be one of the better and more comprehensive services out there for those who are interested in making sure their credit is safe no matter what. The wallet protection program also helps if you lose your personal identification. The on call staff has been very helpful, according to online reviews, whenever a consumer loses this most valuable part of their financial life.

It's a small investment for peace of mind and the fact that the package is so robust definitely makes it have a high return on that investment.