Grange to Launch Identity Theft Resolution Service

Grange to Launch Identity Theft Resolution Service

Personal advocate to assist victim policyholders in restoring their lives, reputations

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The statistics don't lie. Identity theft has become an epidemic, damaging hundreds of thousands of Americans and causing an estimated $52.6 billion economic loss in 2004. Victims are forced to spend dozens of frustrating hours trying to repair the damage and clear their names, usually not having the first idea how to do so.

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Recognizing that its customers are not immune to this crime, Grange Insurance is introducing a victim resolution and education program to aid its policyholders. The program Grange Identity Theft Services is being offered in partnership with Identity Theft 911, a leading national fraud solutions provider for insurers, financial institutions and Fortune 500 companies.

"The impact of identity theft can be extremely serious, and resolving an identity theft correctly is a complex process requiring expertise and a real commitment to helping the victim," said Alan Brannan, President, Property and Casualty for Grange Insurance. "The fact is, today, anyone can become a victim of this crime -- and with the stakes so high, we wanted to provide our policyholders with the best identity theft protection resolution services available. As the recognized leader in identity theft resolution, defense, and education, Identity Theft 911 was clearly the right choice for our policyholders."

The Grange-Identity Theft 911 resolution program, which for a nominal annual fee provides a benefit ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 per occurrence, provides a highly personalized approach in working with victim policyholders. In each case, the program assigns a personal advocate to guide the victim through every necessary step to resolve the crisis and restore the policyholder's identity. Those steps include:

* Systematic notification of agencies, businesses, and institutions that
identity theft has taken place;
* Comprehensive case file creation for the victim;
* Preparation of all needed documents to resolve the crisis;
* Credit report reviews from all three credit bureaus;
* Threat alerts and consumer education;
* Full year of credit monitoring and fraud monitoring;
* Full year of follow-up alerts, phone calls, and status checks to avoid
recurrence.

In addition, the Grange program gives its policyholders ongoing access to the nation's leading consumer education program on identity theft risks and defenses. The program provides Grange policyholders with ongoing threat alerts, a monthly newsletter and a dedicated Web site with helpful articles, interviews, and white papers covering all aspects of this crime.

"By offering this safety net against identity theft, Grange shows its vision and its true dedication to serving its policyholders' needs," said Identity Theft 911 President Steve Christenson. "By adding identity theft victim resolution and education to its offering, Grange is taking an important step in the fight against identity theft. Identity Theft 911 is proud to have this opportunity to help bring peace of mind to Grange policyholders."

About Grange

Grange Mutual Casualty Group, based in Columbus, Ohio, is a $1 billion insurance and financial services provider. Through its network of independent agents, Grange offers auto, home, life, business and farm insurance protection and banking services through Grange Insurance, Trustgard Insurance, Integrity Insurance and The Grange Bank. The company serves policyholders in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.grangeinsurance.com.

About Identity Theft 911

Identity Theft 911 (www.identitytheft911.com) provides enterprise-level fraud solutions to Fortune 500 companies, a wide spectrum of financial institutions, and many of America's largest insurance companies and corporate benefits providers. Identity Theft 911 is the recognized leader in identity theft victim resolution, defense, and education, with over 2.5 million households currently included in its retainer-based RB421 program. Online Banking Report named Identity Theft 911 one of "the 10 most significant innovations and developments of 2003," including the company on its list of "10 industry developments that provide the best glimpse at the future of online financial services delivery."

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031122/SFSA001LOGO
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Identity Theft 911

CONTACT: Carol Drake, Grange Insurance, +1-614-445-2490; Mark Durham,
Communications Director, Identity Theft 911, +1-414-321-1946,
mdurham@identitytheft911.com

Web site: http://www.identitytheft911.com/
http://www.grangeinsurance.com/

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