Has anyone signed up for Discover Card SSI# monitoring?

[Por_sha911]

They offer to monitor the dark web to see if your Soc Sec # appears on risky sites.
I'm wondering if anyone has signed up for the free service? I'm not sure I even need it since I have my reports frozen (ever since the Equifax Leak).

[KFC911]

You're doing it right....I've been frozen at all three agencies for probably 15 years now. What are they gonna do if your SS# is on some site(s)....let you know ?

[KevinTodd]

Yes, it's a solid service. Discover has really upped their game and has some of the best cash back programs in the business, and I have to say their app works incredibly well. I use this card almost exclusively for business and it has been nearly flawless in three years. I also have my credit frozen with all three reporting agencies and highly recommend doing this as well.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by KevinTodd

Yes, it's a solid service. Discover has really upped their game and has some of the best cash back programs in the business, and I have to say their app works incredibly well. I use this card almost exclusively for business and it has been nearly flawless in three years. I also have my credit frozen with all three reporting agencies and highly recommend doing this as well.

I still ask....what will Discover do if your info is found "out there on the web"? Tell you to freeze your credit....'cause they simply can't do squat about undoing the breech imo. IMO everyone should assume their data has been compromsed at this point....and do what we have done....the ultimate defense, and always has been....YMMV. Everything else is just a notification service....not protection.

Lifelock.....no better...just mighty expensive insurance that anyone can have for virtually nothing...

Just freeze your credit folks...I've been advising that for years....Pandora's box has been opened, and there simply is no way to undo that at this point.

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by KC911

I still ask....what will Discover do if your info is found "out there on the web"? Tell you to freeze your credit....'cause they simply can't do squat about undoing the breech imo. IMO everyone should assume their data has been compromsed at this point....and do what we have done....the ultimate defense, and always has been....YMMV. Everything else is just a notification service....not protection.

Lifelock.....no better...just mighty expensive insurance that anyone can have for virtually nothing...

Just freeze your credit folks...I've been advising that for years....Pandora's box has been opened, and there simply is no way to undo that at this point.

To think freezing your credit is the "ultimate defense" is foolish, IMO. Yes, it is the best protection for attempts to secure new credit in your name, but that is not the only risk when personal information is compromised.

Agree, everyone must assume their personal information has been compromised at this point. The service offered by Discover and others is, indeed, only a notification but that is important as well. Discover's service will not "do" anything but it will confirm that vital personal information is more likely going to be used for nefarious purposes.

Freezing one's credit is only one aspect of personal protection. Stolen personal information can be used to access existing accounts which entails the victim to monitor all credit accounts for unusual activity--something we all should be doing anyway. It can be used to obtain driver's licenses in the victim's name which can lead to tickets, fines, and warrants being issued to an unknowing person. Medical bills can be racked up as well, leaving the victim at the mercy of collection bureaus trying to recoup costs. Short term, or Payday Loans, can be acquired with your personal information and require no credit check--then your stuck with another collection agency hounding you.

In short, freezing your credit only protects you from an attack on your credit, not from any other personal liability. Knowing your SSN is "out there" serves to make you more aware that the likelihood your ID will be stolen has increased. Discover's plan fulfills that service. It's free, so why not use it?

[KFC911]

^^^^ You make some very valid points (as usual) . Of course I monitor everything...and takes me chances. I was just thinking that I don't need Discover, or anyone else to let me know my info has been compromised....I assume it has been....everyone should. I just don't need that service...it would not change what I do one bit. I operate in the same way now, as I would if Discover told me my info was on 50+ sites....that's why I won't use it....don't see the point...I really don't...YMOV.

Yer Mileage Obviously Varies....

[KevinTodd]

Originally Posted by KC911

I still ask....what will Discover do if your info is found "out there on the web"? Tell you to freeze your credit....'cause they simply can't do squat about undoing the breech imo. IMO everyone should assume their data has been compromsed at this point....and do what we have done....the ultimate defense, and always has been....YMMV. Everything else is just a notification service....not protection.

Lifelock.....no better...just mighty expensive insurance that anyone can have for virtually nothing...

Just freeze your credit folks...I've been advising that for years....Pandora's box has been opened, and there simply is no way to undo that at this point.

You're right--it is just a notification service, but it is a free service, and a decent offering, so I take advantage of that along with my other safeguards. Every little bit helps, but I still monitor all of my accounts frequently.

[Por_sha911]

OK, so let me ask a dumb question... You get the dark web monitoring and they say your SSI # is out there. WHAT do you do? If you've already frozen your credit reports what more can be done?