We’ve put together a list of the questions and answers that are most frequently asked about Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection. Here you can learn more about your Bitdefender account, alerts, security, what to do if you are a victim of identity theft, and other topics important to our customers.
General questions about Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection
What is Identity theft?
Identity theft is a crime where someone has stolen another person’s information and then used that personal data in a fraudulent or deceptive manner. Most often, identity theft and identity fraud are committed for financial gain, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Identity crimes may also be perpetrated by an identity thief trying to avoid legal or criminal actions against their own identity, or who is trying to steal benefits or services that rightfully belong to someone else. Tens of millions of Americans are victims of identity theft every year.
What is Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection and how does it work?
Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection powered by IdentityForce delivers ongoing monitoring, rapid alerts, and recovery services to help protect against Identity theft. You can rest easy knowing we are top-rated and have proven identity, privacy, and credit security solutions. We combined advanced detection technology, real-time alerts, 24/7 U.S.-based Certified Protection Experts, and identity recovery with decades of experience to get the job done.
What is the difference between your Standard and Premium Plan?
You can learn more about Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection Standard here & Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection Premium here. The main difference is Premium includes $2 million of insurance to cover expenses incurred by identity theft as well as identity theft monitoring, credit reports & scores from 3 Credit Bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Our Standard plan comes with $1 million in identity theft insurance and a single Bureau Credit report monitoring.
How do I upgrade my service to Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection Premium?
It’s easy. Just log into your Bitdefender Central account and go to the Identity Theft Protection dashboard. To talk with our Sales team send us an email at [email protected] or call (+1) 954-414-9655.
What is the difference between Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection and Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection?
Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection and Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection are not identical. Although some of their functions overlap, such as Dark Web and Social Media monitoring, they target different things. Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection monitors your digital footprint to prevent data breaches and improve your online privacy. On the other hand, Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection focuses on credit monitoring to help you avoid becoming a credit fraud and identity theft victim.
What is the difference between Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection and LifeLock by Norton?
Unlike LifeLock, Bitdefender’s insurance covers $2 million instead of $1 million. Plus, Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection is much more reasonably priced!
I received an alert from Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection. What should I do?
Some alerts are more urgent than others and may require different actions for you to take. That’s why every alert you get also includes What Should I Do? which recommends the next steps for you to take. So you’ll always know where your time and attention should be spent.
What is Smart SSN Tracker?
As part of our suite of protection services, Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection monitors your Social Security number (SSN). Smart SSN Tracker intelligently alerts you to all of the names, aliases, and addresses associated with your SSN. If anything looks unfamiliar it could be an indication of fraud.
Security questions about Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection
What security protocols does Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection enforce for its members?
We utilize 2-factor authentication, requiring members to provide a verification code when they first log in. Bitdefender sends you that code via text, email, or phone, making it much harder for hackers to access your account. It’s the best data system protection that an ID monitoring service can use for its networks.
How do you protect the information your subscribers provide?
We operate a risk-based information systems security management program that implements industry-standard best practices for protecting member data.
- Administrative & technical controls include those outlined in PCI DSS v3.2 requirements and ISO 27002 security techniques.
- Sensitive PII is encrypted with the AES symmetric encryption algorithm using 256-bit sized keys.
- Custom master keys are created for all encrypted volumes and any snapshots created from them.
What happens to my information if I cancel my membership?
A member’s personal information remains in our system after the account cancellation to facilitate account reactivation. If a user requests to be removed from the system, their information is purged from the database after 180 days.
How does Bitdefender protect itself against cyber fraud?
Our job is to protect customer data from unauthorized access, and we take that responsibility seriously. Here are some of the regulations, standards, and laws with which Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection powered by IdentityForce is required to comply:
- Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS): Industry requirements put forth by the card brands & acquirer banks to safeguard cardholder data. We completed an independent audit for PCI Level 1 in July 2018.
- Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX): Security of information supporting internal control structures for financial reporting. Although primarily for public companies, several provisions of the Act also apply to privately held companies; for example, the willful destruction of evidence to impede a Federal investigation.
- Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE) 16: An auditing standard for service organizations, superseding SAS 70. The latter’s “service auditor’s examination” is replaced by a “Service Organization Controls” (SOC) report. We completed an independent audit for SOC2 Level 2 in July 2018.
- State Data Privacy/Breach Notification Laws: Legislation requiring organizations to notify individuals or entities when there are breaches involving personal information. A current list of state laws is maintained here. Additionally, we are required to conform to state laws wherever we have subscribers.
Stolen Identity questions
What should I do if my personal information or identification documents have been stolen?
If somebody has stolen your personal information or identification documents, and you are a Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection subscriber, you can send us an email at [email protected] and one of our experts will contact you, or you may call our team at 800-399-0710. Many of our experts have been doing this for 20+ years.
What else should credit fraud and identity theft victims do ASAP?
Whether you’re a Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection subscriber or not, here are some immediate steps you can take:
1. Lock down the problem account
Contact the financial institution, dispute the charges, and ask to lock or close the account.
2. Sign up for a credit monitoring service if it’s available to you
If your information was part of a data breach, there’s a one in three chance that your identity has been stolen. Carefully read the data breach alert. If it offers free credit monitoring, sign up.
3. Read credit card and bank statements to look for other unauthorized charges
Don’t forget to review active, dormant, and infrequently used accounts. If you see anything amiss, contact your financial institution and close your account immediately.
4. Request a credit report from all three major reporting agencies
To assess whether you’re a victim of credit fraud or identity theft, request all three types of credit reports at the official site AnnualCreditReport.com. Use the reports to look for any mystery accounts you don’t recognize. And remember, by law, you’re entitled to at least one free credit report from each agency per year. Here’s why you should avoid getting your credit reports from other websites.
5. Contact the Federal Trade Commission
For credit card fraud, in which only a single account was compromised, an FTC report isn’t warranted. To file a report for a stolen identity, visit FTCComplaintAssistant.gov or call 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338).
6. Call your local police department to file a report
It’s crucial to file a local police report because once it’s on record, you’re protected against other fraudulent claims. You’re also creating a paper trail to show that you’re proactively addressing the problem. Even if the police can’t investigate the crime or catch criminals online and overseas, your report could help them track down local culprits.
7. Request fraud alerts from all three major credit report bureaus.
Fraud alerts notify any institution that pulls your credit report that your identity may be compromised. Alerts also prompt creditors to take an extra step to verify the identity of the person opening the account. Initially, a fraud alert lasts 90 days, but if you have proof that you are a victim of identity theft, the credit bureaus can extend it up to seven years. You can remove this at any time with a written request.
For an added layer of protection, you can initiate a credit freeze, which completely cuts off access to your credit report. That means the credit bureaus won’t share your report with anyone who requests it. A credit freeze can help prevent criminals from opening accounts in your name, but it can also make it difficult for you to get loans and credit card approval. A freeze is usually free to victims of identity theft, but others may have to pay a fee.
8. Implement the following preventative security measures
- Create strong passwords & regularly change them.
- Shred documents with personal information when disposing them.
- Keep personal information (i.e. address, phone number, etc.) off social media sites, as well as any details you use for online security questions, like your mother’s maiden name.
- Avoid carrying your Social Security card in your wallet.
Read more about how you can control your odds of identity theft here.
After using Recovery & Restoration services, how do I know if my identity has been restored?
Our team will reach out to you first. We won’t close your case until both you and a Restoration representative agree that the existing case has been resolved. If not, the case stays open and we’ll keep working to resolve it. If fraudulent activity reappears on a closed case, we’ll reopen the case and reactivate our Restoration services, provided your membership is still active.
How does Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection help keep my information safe?
Here are just some of the services we provide to deliver the assurance, confidence, and increased protection we all need in today’s digitized world:
- Real-time alerts when a copy of your credit report is requested.
- Continuous monitoring of your medical accounts.
- Comprehensive monitoring of your SSN, email address, and phone numbers in places where they should not be listed, including the dark web.
- Alerting you of any changes in your address, court records in your name, and payday loans taken out in your name.
- When you sign in, we also alert you of significant data breaches.
- With Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection Premium, we monitor your credit score with the three major agencies and provide access to your credit report.
I’d like to learn more about how to protect myself. What do you recommend?
The related articles available at the bottom of this page are a great place to start. Do check them out to learn more about identity protection, privacy, and credit security. In addition, you will find informative proactive and preventative measures you can adopt to protect your identity by visiting your Bitdefender Central account. Access the Identity Theft Protection Dashboard, go to the top, and click Resources.
Credit Monitoring questions
What kind of information is in my credit report?
A credit report is a snapshot in time of your financial reliability: who you are, any debts you owe, and other information to help banks and other lenders assess if you’re a good credit risk. Your credit report contains your name, current and previous addresses, date of birth, and Social Security Number. It also lists the accounts you currently have open, credit history, employment history, and public records. The information in your credit report can also be used to explain your credit score – a numerical value determined by your credit file. Scroll down for more credit score information.
How often should I check my credit report?
Ideally, you should check your credit report four times a year, but no less than twice a year, unless:
- You are planning to make a major purchase.
- You are applying for more credit.
- Your credit report contained inaccuracies in the past.
- You want to improve your credit score.
- You have been a victim of identity theft.
- You are concerned with being a victim of identity theft.
How do I rectify inaccurate information on my credit report?
You need to dispute inaccurate information directly with the credit bureaus by mail, phone, or online. The credit bureaus have 30 days to investigate your dispute. Once the investigation is complete, the credit bureaus will send you a letter with their findings. If they have made any revisions to your credit report, they will send you a copy of the revised report. Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection subscribers can access the dispute forms directly: log into your Bitdefender Central account, access the Identity Theft Protection Dashboard, go to the top of your credit report and click Credit Bureau Dispute Form. Or, contact our team to begin the dispute process.
I received a credit report monitoring alert. Does this mean that my identity has been compromised?
Not necessarily, but it does require your attention. An alert means that a change has been made to your credit report and that you should check it out immediately to make sure it’s legitimate. Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection monitors the 12 most significant warning signs, or triggers of fraudulent activity, including: a change of address or phone numbers, opening a new account, or an account being placed in collections. If you see any unauthorized changes to your credit report and you already have purchased Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection, contact us.
How should I use my credit report to find signs of identity theft? What should I look for?
If you find inaccuracies or suspicious activity on your credit reports, notify the credit bureau as soon as possible by telephone and in writing. If you have a Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection subscription, contact our team immediately. Here’s what you should look for:
- Make sure all the information in your reports is correct and up to date. Incorrect personal information such as an address, SSN, variations of your name (i.e. Jr. and Sr.), and employers could be a sign of identity theft.
- Look for other warning signs: any accounts you didn’t open, and any debts you don’t recognize on legitimate accounts.
- Check for inquiries from creditors you don’t know about. Banks and credit card companies will look at your credit reports before opening an account, so an inquiry could be a sign that someone is trying to open accounts in your name. However, banks and credit card companies often inquire about consumers’ creditworthiness to target their marketing efforts, so it’s possible that an inquiry is not related to identity theft.
Why does my credit score matter?
Your credit score can help lenders understand how likely you are to pay your bills. It’s used anytime you’re seeking a mortgage, car loan, or credit card and, for determining credit limit, which is the maximum amount of money you can borrow. Your credit score can even determine the premium you’ll pay for car insurance. A higher credit score gives you a lower interest rate when you’re borrowing money.
How can I change my credit score?
The biggest factor contributing to a low credit score is late payments. If you see late payments incorrectly listed in your credit report, get them changed and it should improve your score. The type, size, and age of your accounts also factor into your credit score, so making positive changes like paying off credit card debt can also help your score.
Will my credit score change if I request a copy of my own credit report?
No. Requesting a copy of your own credit report is called a soft inquiry. While it is noted in your file, it does not affect your credit score. Hard inquiries could lower your score by a few points and may remain on your credit report for two years. Hard inquiries generally occur when a financial institution, such as a lender or credit card issuer, checks your credit report when making a lending decision. Hard inquiries occur when you apply for a loan, credit card, or mortgage, and you typically must authorize them.
Can I get a free copy of my credit report?
By law under the FACT ACT you are entitled to one FREE credit report a year from each of the three credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. You can request your free report by mail or online at AnnualCreditReport.com. You can also access your credit report right from your Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection dashboard.
Account & Billing questions
How do I view/download my Bitdefender payment history?
Here’s what you need to do to view your Bitdefender payment history. You can also download the invoice at any time from your Bitdefender Central account or from 2Checkout, authorized vendor of our online products.
How do I update my contact information?
We made it easy for you to keep your account up-to-date and edit your personal information. Check out this article if you need help changing your Bitdefender Central email. Save all the changes you make.
How do I change my password?
Good question. In fact, we recommend getting in the habit of changing your password every 90 days, so you’ll want to follow these steps: Log into your Bitdefender Central account and click the user icon in the upper right-hand corner of the page then select Bitdefender Account. Access the Password and security tab where you will be able to update your Password. When you’re all set, hit Change Password. Need advice on creating more secure passwords? Check out this blog post.
How can I manage my two-factor authentication (2FA) settings?
Get started by visiting your Bitdefender Central account. Click the user icon in the upper right-hand corner of the page then select Bitdefender Account. From there, access the Password and security tab. Hit 2-Factor Authentication to enable this feature and change how you want your code delivered to your desired phone number.
How do I change my billing information?
Follow these steps to make any updates or edits to your billing information. Once you’re done, hit Save.
What is your refund policy?
We don’t want to lose you, but if you wish to cancel your Bitdefender subscription, please send us an email at [email protected] or call (+1) 954-414-9655.