Cover Story: Your Veterans Advantage Membership Helps You Prevent Identify Theft with FREE Protection Services Coverage for All Members

Identify theft is big business and it doesn’t just affect the wealthy or the well-known. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has called it the "fastest growing white collar crime in America". Nearly10 million Americans have been victimized within the last year, at a cost to the U.S. economy of $53 billion, reports the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The personal cost to individuals, who have experienced identity theft, can be significant. On average, victims report spending nearly $1,200 and 60 hours resolving identify theft problems related to new, unauthorized account activity.

The prevalence of Internet technology and the proliferation of online information have made it easier for savvy criminals to assume someone else’s financial identity and wreck havoc on one’s personal credit. Just this past month, U.S. Senator John McCain reported unauthorized activity on his personal credit cards of more than $500.

To better equip individuals who have experienced identity theft, President Bush signed into law the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 in December of last year to help consumers detect and identify ID theft.

Veterans Advantage Offers FREE Identity Theft Protection Services

Veterans Advantage is pleased to announce a free program of unique identity theft preventive services and coverage for those who have become victims of such a crime. Veterans Advantage members enjoy FREE Identity Theft Protection as part of the membership, (a service which carries a $59 value.)

The Free ID Theft services program will be administered by LegalRX®, which provides accessible and affordable legal insurance plans. The program’s Identity Theft Case Solutions ™ provide valuable services to victims’ of identity theft crimes. Case Managers walk members, who suspect they are or may be a victim of identity theft, through the first critical steps of prevention and loss reduction, by helping members understand what identity theft is, how to avoid it, steps to be taken to prevent further loss if victimized, and how a member’s identity theft plan coverage works.

"We’re honored our new partner, LegalRX recognizes that for those veterans, who fought to defend our country, we have a responsibility to protect what’s valuable to them and their families – financial security and affordable legal services," said Scott Higgins, Founder and Chief Executive of Veterans Advantage.

The partnership strengthens Veterans Advantage’s mission to recognize and reward those who serve with a wide-range of money-saving and peace-of-mind benefits, including veterans who served during any period or in any branch of service, and their family members. This includes Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reservists, and those on Active Duty. Members will also be able to enroll in the programs’ companion legal product, LegalRx’s legal services insurance package, for $19.95 a month.

With LegalRx ®, Veterans Advantage members can gain access to attorneys and legal advice for a single flat fee. Thousands of private-practicing lawyers throughout the United States are at their legal disposal and easily accessed for in-person or over-the-phone consultations, depending on the legal issue and the customer’s personal preference. The LegalRx plan also provides individuals with a central source for managing their legal needs from a legal library, to do-it-yourself legal documents, to one-on-one attorney consultations.

Not Yet A Member of Veterans Advantage and would like to get this valuable service?

To become a Veterans Advantage member, qualified individuals can apply to www.veteransadvantage.com, or submit your request at our contact page.

Members can take advantage of a wide range of other benefits such as up to 10% off Dell Computers, 65% off prescription drugs, savings from major car rental companies, entertainment companies, restaurants and on over 3,000 hotels and vacation properties.

Veterans Advantage members can enjoy their entire benefits package via a private ‘members-only’ area on www.veteransadvantage.com or through the Veterans Advantage Card Membership Program.