Enroll at no cost in fraud protection service; Burden to sign up on affected employees

June 18, 2007- The State of Ohio has arranged for you the opportunity to enroll—at no cost to you — in the Debix Identity Protection Network. The service will allow you to protect your identity and approve any new accounts opened in your name.

However, enrollment is not automatic. The burden to enroll is on the state employee. Debix offers an online enrollment process and a mail-in form. Click on the link below to regiter for a full year of identity theft prevention and protection services.

> Sign Up Now

State employees who already use a credit monitoring service should note that it alerts you to suspicious activities on your existing accounts. The Debix identity protection service, however, helps you prevent prevent fraud before it happens.

State officials acknowleged today that many employees were unable to connect to the Debix website this morning due to bandwidth issues and Debix is taking necessary measures to ensure you are served as promptly as possible. If you are unable to access the site, please try again later in the day.

State officials caution on the state's ID Protect website, "No one from Debix will contact state employees in any manner, including by telephone and email, to become registered for their services unless you call them first. Never respond to a telephone call when personal or financial information is requested from you - such as a social security number - unless you called them first. Never respond to an email that requests personal or financial information, even if it comes from a business or institution with which you do business."

The Debix Identity Protection Network services include:

• A warning call every time someone applies for credit – whether it's you or an impostor, you always get a call from Debix seeking your approval before any new account can be opened.
  
  
• Identity authentication – With your phone, PIN and Voice Key, creditors know when it's you and when it's not.
  
  
• Fraud alerts – Fraud alert files at all three national credit bureaus expire after three months. Debix automatically renews them for you so your protection is uninterrupted.
  
  
• Protection that follows you everywhere – you choose up to three phone numbers to receive Debix identity theft warnings calls.
  
  
• Income Protection Insurance – should you ever need it, Debix provides AIG income protection insurance for loss of wages and reimbursement of certain recovery costs up to $5,000. In addition, an essential ID Theft Recovery Kit and direct access to Identity Theft Specialists are included.
  
  
• Unwanted solicitation protection – reduce the chance of your mail getting in to the hands of thieves. Opt out of receiving pre-approved and prescreened offers from creditors and insurance companies.
  
  
• Your confidentiality is guaranteed – Debix will never sell or share your information to anyone. All sensitive and personal information is kept encrypted and secure.

The state's Identity Protection FAQ page recommends that everyone take steps to protect against potential misuse of personal information.

See Related

Union encourages members to monitor financial data following state data theft

Executive Order of Gov. Ted Strickland

Governor Reports Theft of State Data Storage Device (Media Release - June 15, 2007)

Get Help

How to protect yourself - Website of Debix Identity Protection Network

Look up - Was your info on the stolen tape due to uncashed refund check data?

Useful government, consumer websites to help you protect your identity

Identity Protection for State Employees - FAQ

Identity Protection for State Employees - Updates

Union Benefits Trust: Working Solutions program offers articles on identity theft

Employee Asssistance Program (EAP) - A union-negotiated benefit

What if my information may have been compromised? (FTC)