Executive Director’s Commentary
By Don Eversmann, F240000
February 2006
In the August 2005 Executive Director’s Commentary, I introduced you to the Privacy Matters Identity Theft Protection Plan that FMCA has decided to offer as a member benefit. As I indicated at that time, this new benefit will provide protection against identity theft and will assist members in restoration if they should ever become a victim. The plan is available to FMCA members at an extremely reduced price. Similar programs usually retail for $9.95 per month; however, FMCA is able to offer Identity Theft Protection to its membership for as little as $4.95 per month, with an additional $2 monthly fee for the spouse.
Since identity theft protection plans were a relatively new concept at the time the program was introduced as a member benefit, members have had a number of questions regarding this plan and how it works. Over time, we have tried to collect those questions and develop answers to assist you in your consideration of this protection plan. So, I would like to devote the rest of this month’s commentary to questions and answers regarding FMCA’s Privacy Matters Identity Theft Protection Plan.
In addition to the following information, see the ad on page 91 of this magazine; call FMCA’s member services department at (800) 543-3622; or send an e-mail to membership@fmca.com and ask for an Identity Theft Protection Plan brochure and application.
Q. Is coverage available in all 50 states and Canada?
A. The Privacy Matters program currently is available in all 50 states but is not available in Canada.
Q. Does the computer protection software that comes with the plan work on all computer systems?
A. Panda software does not work on Macintosh computers or with other antivirus software. The www.privacymatters.com Web site works with all computer systems.
Q. How would we be notified of any problems with our credit “” by mail or e-mail?
A. If the member signed up and gave Privacy Matters an e-mail address, he or she will be notified by e-mail. If the member provided only a postal mailing address, he or she will be notified by regular mail.
Q. If I signed up for Privacy Matters through another company, when can I sign up through FMCA?
A. The member must wait 90 days after canceling the previous coverage before signing up under the FMCA program.
Q. If I purchase coverage for myself and my spouse, how do we both sign up on the Web site for credit monitoring?
A. If the spouse intends to request the reports/monitoring service, he or she should choose the option that reads “If you do not have a Credit Center user name and password” and then should set up a second user name and password as prompted.
Q. I received my membership card from Privacy Matters. My wife and I both signed up, but the card is only in my name. Are we both covered?
A. If you signed up for the primary and the spouse coverage, you are both covered even though the membership card has only one name on it.
Q. If I have a question about this service, is there a telephone number that we can use to reach Privacy Matters?
A. The customer service number for Privacy Matters is (866) 215-3473.
Q. How long does it take to receive the benefit information after we sign up with Privacy Matters?
A. Please allow three to four weeks to receive your information.