Review our frequently asked questions and understand why you need to enroll in protection against identity theft.
Look here if you have a specific question on your credit report or credit score, identity theft or our services. Whatever you're looking for, we've provided answers here to our most frequently asked questions.
From the Home Page, simply type your credentials into the blue login box. If you are on a mobile device, select the top right menu option to enable the login box.
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Please visit the Contact Us page.
We're here to help you with questions on your Identity Theft solution, get started on recovering you from an Identity Theft event or answer general questions about identity theft, or our products & services.
Right here: Terms & Conditions
Right here: Privacy Policy
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces a variety of federal antitrust and consumer protection laws, including the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The FTC ensures that consumers, consumer reporting agencies, and lenders are treated in a fair and equitable manner. You can learn more about the FTC here by visiting www.ftc.gov.
Read all about the Fair Credit Reporting Act in the Identity Theft Resources, Your Rights.
defend-id is committed to providing world-class service to each of our customers. If you do not receive exceptional service from us for any reason we would like to hear about it. All complaints are taken very seriously and are appreciated, as it affords us an opportunity to improve our standards. If you have a complaint, please don't hesitate to contact us via the following methods:
defend-id is a product offer that was specifically put together for you and your family. To review what is contained in the offers available to you please check out the enroll pages: Group or Personal
Find out more about our Services.
No matter which solution you are covered under, you can have the peace of mind you are covered by our Best In Class — Fully-Managed Recovery. For details on your coverage, visit the Services page. If you're already enrolled, simply login to your Account to view the details of your coverage. See Enrollment pages: Group or Personal
You can select Individual or Family coverage at the time you enroll. If you're unsure about which coverage you currently have, click on My Profile within your Account.
Individuals/Business/Group accounts; If you wish to cancel your plan, please log into your defend-id portal account to manage your census or end your subscription as an individual. Log in to your account.
Authentication is a process used to verify your identity. During the enrollment process, you will be asked a series of questions relating to your credit history. These questions along with your personal information are used to verify your identity and allow you access to credit products through the Credit Reporting Agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Find out more about Credit Reports.
Section 604 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) sets forth requirements, called "permissible purposes", that must be met before anyone can inquire into your confidential credit file. A few of the most common permissible purposes are:
You can find the complete text of the FCRA by visiting the Federal Trade Commission's website www.ftc.gov.
There are two types of inquiries. The first type of inquiry is initiated by a creditor who may wish to grant you credit (called "prescreening"). These inquiries do not affect your credit worthiness and will not be seen by potential creditors. However, they will appear on your report because you have a right to see all types of inquiries on your file. The second type of inquiry, where you initiated the application for credit, will appear on your report as well as any potential creditor's report. Inquiries may be removed after 2 years.
Experts recommend reviewing your credit report at least once each year and prior to making any major purchase. If you've been a victim of fraud or have a common name, you may wish to view your report more frequently.
Buyers beware! If an organization claims it can remove negative, but accurate credit information from your credit report, they are either lying or committing fraud. Consumers can dispute inaccurate information directly with the credit reporting agency for free or at minimal cost. No one can legally remove accurate negative information from your credit report.
As a general rule, information remains in your credit file for 7 years from the date of last activity or the date the document was filed with the courts. For example, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy would remain in your file for 7 years from the filing date.
Find out more about Credit Scores.
Lenders use credit scores to determine whether or not to grant you credit. Your score also dictates how much you will pay for the credit you acquire. For example, someone with a high credit score will probably qualify for loans with lower interest rates than someone with less-than-perfect credit.
If you have little or no experience using credit, there is no history to judge your future credit worthiness. To establish a credit history, you might consider applying for a secured credit card through your bank or credit union.
Yes, different lenders have different criteria for approving loans. Therefore, lenders use a variety of credit scoring algorithms (many are even customized).
When you request credit, the lender will pull a copy of your report resulting in an inquiry. Multiple, frequent inquiries can negatively affect your score. Inquiries generated by creditors considering whether or not to solicit your business will appear on your report, but do not affect your score in any way.
No. You can pull your own credit report as often as you wish without affecting your credit score.
As information is updated by your lenders, your score will change. Therefore, your score can vary from day to day; however, most scores do not change more than a few points each month.
No. If your child is a minor, he or she really shouldn't have a credit file. After all, your child isn't eligible for credit cards, mortgages, or other loans—the kinds of items that would appear on a credit report.
If they have never had credit issued in their name, they would not have a credit history, and credit scores could not be calculated and credit monitoring cannot be initiated.
If you suspect your minor child is a victim of identity theft, there are three nationwide credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Contact each credit reporting company and ask it to search to see if your child has a credit report. Each company will check for files related to your child's name and Social Security number, and also for files related only to the Social Security number. You must provide the credit reporting companies with proof that you are the child's parent or legal guardian.
You must have a sufficient amount of credit history established with the national credit reporting agencies in order to establish credit monitoring.
This is your portal to view all the products and services which you are currently enrolled in.
Credit Report & Score tab of your Account. If you have any reports available for viewing, a link will appear next to the date the report/score was generated. The links expire 60 days after receipt. Please save or print a copy of each report for reference if you require access to the information beyond 60 days.
Please contact the Support Team at 1-800-487-0160 for any questions you may have regarding your credit report.
You have access to purchase updated reports and scores through your Account on the Credit Report & Score tab within your Account.
The Credit Reporting Agencies: Equifax, Experian & TransUnion, monitor your credit report daily for any recent activity such as new inquiries or recently opened credit cards. Depending on the type of monitoring you have, you may receive a credit alert from one or all three of the Credit Reporting Agencies.
You will always receive an alert via email and you have the option to receive alerts via text message as well.
Click the Alerts tab within your Account. Under the Credit Monitoring sub menu, there will be an "Alert Details" link you can click to view your alert history.
You may call the Support Team for any questions you have at 1-800-487-0160.
Visit the My Profile section within your Account to update your payment information.
Visit the My Profile Section within your Account to update your Alert delivery options. You can add or remove text message alerts at any time. Log In
Visit the My Profile section within your Account to update your contact information.