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.
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.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.