Discover adds new privacy protection for cardholders and banking customers
There were approximately 1.4 million cases of identity theft reported in the U.S. last year. The fact there are 540 registered data brokers — companies that find your information and sell it — isn't helping the situation.
In order to help Americans who worry about the release of their personal information online, Discover has added a new (free) tool for its customers. Discover's Online Privacy Protection is available in the mobile app, which you can download from Apple app store or Google Play store for Android users.
How Discover's privacy protection Works
Users need to enable this new privacy protection in the Discover mobile app. It's available for credit card and banking customers, and the new tool is free.
Once you enable the tool, it will search 10 common websites that collect and sell personal information online. This includes data like your name, address(es), age and phone numbers, and it covers the following websites:
- BeenVerified.com.
- Intellius.com.
- Yellowpages.com.
- Addresses.com.
- PeopleLooker.com.
- AnyWho.com.
- InstantPeopleFinder.com.
- PeopleSmart.com.
- USsearch.com.
- ZabaSearch.com.
Related: How to protect yourself against reward program data breaches
Discover will automatically search these sites every 90 days using the personal data registered in your Discover account. If matches are found on these websites, an opt-out request is submitted on your behalf — automatically — to remove your personal information from the websites.
Note that this benefit is being rolled out in stages over the coming weeks, so you may not initially see it available.
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How this tool can help you
What does this mean for you? How will finding your information on these websites and submitting an opt-out request make a difference?
In March of 2022, 11.6 billion scam text messages were sent on U.S. wireless networks. Removing your phone number from these websites can cut down on spam calls and texts.
Moreover, the websites selling your information aren't immune from data breaches, further exposing your information to unknown sources. Thus, removing your personal data can reduce your risks for identity theft. Prevention is much better than the work required after your identity has been stolen.
Just ask my parents.
Several years ago, they found out someone had opened credit cards in both of their names. Now, it's a constant struggle any time they open a bank account or apply for a new line of credit. They have to go through extra verification to prove it's really them — plus they have spent hours and hours getting things removed from their credit reports.
Discover's new privacy protection feature will look for your information and automatically request removal on your behalf. This can save hours of your time by not having to do it manually on your own — and with less of your personal details out there, it may prevent future issues with your identity being stolen.
Related: 5 steps to take when your personal information is compromised
Bottom line
Discover conducted a survey in late March 2022 and found that 83% of consumers expressed concern over the misuse of their personal information, while 31% believed they have no control or not much control over that data. The new Online Privacy Protection tool is the issuer's response to these concerns, and it's free to those who have a bank account or credit card with Discover.
You can access this tool in the Discover mobile app, and once enabled, it'll scan for your data every few months — and automatically submit removal requests on your behalf.
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Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
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- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
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- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
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Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
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Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees