Peace of Mind
It seems like every time one turns on the news, there is another story about a data breach, identity theft or new phishing scam for fraudsters to access consumer information. This trend is troubling for many reasons, in part because it illustrates how much information is available about all of us. Despite our best efforts to keep our personal data private, modern technology makes it difficult to keep 100 percent of our personal information to ourselves. Millions of identities are stolen annually, so it is critical to take control of your personal data by actively monitoring your bank accounts, creating strong passwords and being mindful of how your information is shared.
The threat of identity theft is real, which is why I believe one of our most valuable AAA member benefits is ProtectMyID Essential. This benefit is available for free to AAA Minneapolis members who enroll in the program, and provides services such as credit monitoring, lost wallet protection and fraud resolution support. Additionally, Premier members receive up to $10,000 in identity theft insurance coverage. The service is fueled by Experian, a global leader in identity security, and provides the first line of defense for detecting and resolving identity threats. To enroll in ProtectMyID, you must be 18 or older, be a current AAA member, have internet access and possess a valid email address.
AAA Minneapolis members who want additional peace of mind may choose to consider ProtectMyID Deluxe or Platinum. ProtectMyID Deluxe costs $10.95 a month per member and provides the benefits of Essential, plus dark web surveillance, real-time identity alerts, Social Security number monitoring, bank account and credit card takeovers alerts, and more. The most comprehensive level of coverage, ProtectMyID Platinum, costs $15.95 a month per member and provides everything in the Deluxe coverage plus credit limit and usage alerts, and monitoring of social media, payday loans, court records, dormant credit card accounts and more.
The reality is that identity theft could happen to anyone at any time. It is not 100 percent preventable, even when steps are taken to protect account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers and other personally identifiable information. To protect yourself and your loved ones, I encourage you to take advantage of this great member benefit and enroll in ProtectMyID today. Visit AAA.com/IdentityTheft for more information.
Have a safe and happy holiday season!
Wendy A. Weigel
President & CEO, AAA Minneapolis
