Coverage Takes Legwork Out of Recovering Victim's Identity
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- In conjunction with National
Consumer Protection Week (Feb. 5-11), Nationwide Insurance and Washington,
D.C.-based ID Theft Assist are expanding availability of their ground-breaking
identity theft protection and recovery service that surpasses ID theft
policies currently on the market. Over the next several months, the innovative
insurance/restoration service will be available to anyone who wishes to
purchase it, not just Nationwide homeowner policyholders.
"Our identity theft homeowner policy endorsement has been so popular, we
wanted to offer a stand-alone ID theft product, so everyone can have this
best-in-class service and get help through the recovery process of identity
theft," said Deb Harmon, project manager for Nationwide's Property and
Casualty Personal Lines Product Office. "Nationwide ID Theft policyholders
have an experienced advocate working on their behalf should their identity
become compromised."
With more than 9 million victims in 2004, identity theft is America's
fastest-growing crime. Unlike other crimes, its victims are guilty until they
prove their innocence. A 2005 Nationwide Insurance survey shows once people
have their identity stolen, they can have a tough time getting it back.
"Identity theft is a problem seriously affecting Americans, and we believe
our product provides the necessary support consumers need when faced with such
a situation," said Guillaume Deybach, president and CEO of Worldwide
Assistance-headquarters for the ID Theft Assist service. "We are pleased that
Nationwide is offering our ID theft resolution services to even more people."
One in four identity theft victims indicate they have not been able to
restore their identities, despite averaging more than a year trying. Results
of the survey conducted by MarketTools, Inc., also show victims pay $587 in
out-of-pocket expenses, such as lost wages.
ID Theft Assist provides a full-service, broad identity recovery system as
part of Nationwide's effort to combat the devastating effects of identity
theft. These recovery services include 24-hour, seven-days-a-week access to an
emergency call center; instantaneous access to credit reports - customers will
not have to pay extra, as with some other products on the market; worldwide
service that includes language translation and limited emergency cash
advances; and legal support to help restore your identity.
"You don't want a product that just tells you 'how' to get the job done.
It's hard work," said Harmon. "Our coverage provides 'real' assistance and
takes the legwork out of restoring your good name. It's just one more
advantage of On Your Side(R) service."
* Nationwide's ID Theft product is not available in Florida.
About Nationwide Insurance:
Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest diversified
insurance and financial services organizations in the world, with more than
$158 billion in assets. Nationwide ranks 99th on the Fortune 500 list. The
company provides a full range of insurance and financial services, including
auto, homeowners, life, health, commercial insurance, administrative services,
annuities, mutual funds, pensions and long-term savings plans. For more
information, visit http://www.nationwide.com.
About ID Theft Assist:
ID Theft Assist was launched in January of 2004. The emergency service
center is headquartered in the offices of Worldwide Assistance in Washington,
D.C. Worldwide Assistance Services Inc, a division of Europ Assistance Group,
has been in operation since 1982 in the United States. Its office has not
closed for one single day since.
Nationwide and the Nationwide Framework are federally registered service
marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. On Your Side is a service mark
of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. ID Theft Assist is a service mark of
Worldwide Benefit Services, LLC.
Contacts:
Joe Case, Nationwide Insurance
(614) 249-6353
casej6@nationwide.com
Chris Ward, ID Theft Assist
(866)-694-3911
cward@idtheftassist.com
SOURCE Nationwide
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Related links:
http://www.nationwide.com
CONTACT:
Joe Case, Nationwide Insurance,
+1-614-249-6353, or casej6@nationwide.com ; or Chris Ward of ID
Theft Assist, +1-866-694-3911, or cward@idtheftassist.com
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