FAQ

Below you will find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about SpotMyID.

SpotMyID basic FAQs

• Who is SpotMyID?

  • SpotMyID combines the know-how of security and financial experts with advanced Internet monitoring intelligence (powered by Cyveillance) to offer leading consumer identity protection services. SpotMyID is a web-based application that allows consumers to create a personal profile and proactively protect credit cards, bank accounts and sensitive identity information. SpotMyID scans millions of locations throughout the Internet, watching for the possible misuse of users' personal and financial information.

    SpotMyID is based in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. For more, please read About Us and Why SpotMyID?

• Who can sign up for SpotMyID?

  • Any resident of the U.S. or Canada with a valid credit card may sign up for SpotMyID.

• What pieces of information will SpotMyID scan for?

  • SpotMyID can monitor the Internet for the potential misuse of many of your most valuable personal identification and cards, including credit cards, debit cards, store and gas cards, bank account information, your Social Security Number or Social Insurance Number.

• Where does SpotMyID scan for my card or banking information?

  • SpotMyID monitors millions of websites a day for the possible misuse of your personal details. SpotMyID pays particular attention to online sources where fraud-related data is frequently found, traded and sold, including:

    » Websites providing credit card information or providing links to those that do
    » Chat rooms where criminals share personal information
    » Forums where fraud and identity theft are discussed
    » Online “flea markets” where identities are bought and sold
    » FTP sites (sometimes called “black hat”) and usenet postings including card numbers

    For more, please read How SpotMyID Works.

• Do I really need this service? Won't my credit card company cover any fraudulent charges on my card?

  • Many banks and credit card companies do protect their customers from fraud – to a point. This can prove very helpful, especially in cases where your credit card information has been stolen and is used to make simple purchases. Compensation from credit card companies generally relies on you recognizing your card has been stolen, and reporting it quickly.

    SpotMyID can help in many ways, beyond what your bank or credit card company can offer. SpotMyID may help you discover the fraudulent use of a credit card or bank account faster than you ever could on your own. It may also help discover that your identity is being bought or sold online – something your credit card company would never know. If your SSN/SIN is being misused (an individual may apply for a job or apartment in your name, for example), SpotMyID may help catch this action as well.

    For just a few cents a day, SpotMyID offers many layers of identity protection and is a powerful tool to add to your personal security arsenal.

• Is ID theft really that big a threat?

  • Unfortunately, yes. Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in North America and has already affected 1 in 6 households, costing individuals and businesses billions of dollars. For more, please read our article on Identity Theft.

• Will using Spot My ID affect my credit score?

  • Not at all.

• Will using SpotMyID affect my credit monitoring service?

  • No. In fact, SpotMyID can be used to complement your credit monitoring service, offering you even more complete protection against identity theft and credit fraud.

• I already have credit monitoring and I look at my credit reports regularly. Why do I need SpotMyID?

  • As SpotMyID is proactive and pre-emptive, it may catch breaches of your personal information days or weeks before any unusual action ever shows up on your credit report or in a credit monitoring alert. The experts at SpotMyID still encourage all users to examine their credit reports regularly and encourage the use of reputable credit monitoring services.

    SpotMyID is one more valuable tool you can use to keep your identity yours.




SpotMyID account FAQs

• How do I pay for SpotMyID services?

  • You may pay through any major credit card.

• What currencies to you accept?

  • We accept payment in both US and Canadian dollars.

• How long does it take to set up my account?

  • It only takes a few minutes to register and set up your account. Visit How SpotMyID Works and check out our three easy set up steps!

• What information do I need to sign up?

  • You will need to enter your name, address, email address and a valid credit card number (your own) in order to register for SpotMyID.

• I want to sign up for the free 2-pack. Why do you need my credit card number?

  • This is for your protection. We use your credit card information only to authenticate your identity; it is very important that only YOU are able to set up SpotMyID services for your identifying documents.

    Without this security measure in place, it is possible an identity thief could monitor your cards to see where and when they are used – and when it might be safe to use your identity for criminal purposes.

    Rest assured that we will never charge your card if you have registered for the free 2-pack.

• How do I upgrade my SpotMyID account?

  • You may contact SpotMyID customer support at any time via phone, email or live chat to upgrade your services.

• What kind of customer support do you offer?

  • All SpotMyID users have unlimited access to a wide range of information and resources through their personal Account Manager. Users who have registered for the SpotMyID 5-pack or 10-pack also have daily access to our knowledgeable customer support through toll-free phone, live chat and e-mail support ticket. For efficient services, we ask that users log in to their Account Manager and open a support ticket before calling or opening a live chat.

    Free users who would like full support services may contact us to upgrade their account quickly and easily.

• How do I update my billing info?

  • You may update your address, credit card or other billing information at any time through your Account Manager.

• I am not receiving your emails. How do I fix this?

  • We suggest that you add support@spotmyid.com to the safe sender's list or address book of your email application. If you’re still having trouble, please contact customer support for help.

• I've lost my password. What do I do?

  • Click on “Log in” at the top of this page. Click on “Forgot your password?” below the “Username” and “Password” boxes. Follow the instructions that appear.




SpotMyID set up and use FAQs

• How do I set up my SpotMyID account?

  • Setting up your SpotMyID account is fast and easy. Simply follow these steps:

    » Register with SpotMyID and select the package you would like (free 2-pack, 5-pack or 10-pack)
    » Choose a username (your email address) and password
    » Enter the required authentication information (your name, address and credit card details)
    » Enter the details for the items you would like SpotMyID to scan the Internet for. For bank accounts, SpotMyID will require both the account and transit numbers. You will be asked to give each piece of identification or card number a nickname for easy reference later on (for example, your credit card will show up in your Account Manager as “John's VISA” instead of displaying the full number)
    » Once you have successfully completed these steps, a welcome email will be sent to you. This email will contain your username, password, and a link to the SpotMyID Account Manager, the secure area you may access to manage your account

• Can I add ID or cards for friends and family members to my account?

  • No. This is for your own security. Friends and family members must sign up for their own accounts – a free 2-pack may be a good way for new users to get started.

• I would like to change one of the items SpotMyID is scanning for. Can I do this?

  • Absolutely! There are many reasons you may need to update or change your SpotMyID profile. One of your credit cards may expire, for example, or you may open or close a bank account or credit card. In any of these cases, simply log in to your Account Manager and edit your profile.

• How do I know if my identification has been breached?

  • Once you have registered, SpotMyID uses advanced scanning technology to monitor millions of websites, blogs, chat rooms, forums other corners of the Internet for your personal information. If SpotMyID suspects any of your pieces of identification or cards are being misused, you will be notified through an “On The Spot” email alert.

    If a breach is suspected, you will be notified the same day. If not, you will still receive weekly “all clear” email messages from SpotMyID.

• How do I access my account?

  • Access your SpotMyID account through any web browser. Simply log in to your Account Manager using the information contained in your welcome email.

• How do I cancel my account?

  • Please log in to your SpotMyID Account Manager. Click on “Submit a Ticket” under the Support menu, complete the ticket and submit. A member of the SpotMyID customer support staff will contact you. If you have further questions, please contact our support staff.

• I'm nervous about uploading all my personal data. Is it secure with you?

  • Yes. SpotMyID is in the business of helping you protect your identity and we take issues of security and privacy very seriously. SpotMyID is powered by Cyveillance, an established world leader in cyber intelligence, trusted by thousands, including more than half of the Fortune 500 companies. This partnership gives us even more confidence that, at all levels, we employ only the latest secure storage and encryption techniques.

    In fact, the only piece of information SpotMyID can access at all is the credit card you sign up with – and this protected by leading security measures and up-to-date encryption.

    All of your other identification and card information is secured away from SpotMyID's main servers. A complex encryption algorithm is used to convert each piece of your data – your bank account number, for example – into an irreversibly encrypted piece of coded text. Once your information is encrypted in this manner, it no longer exists in its original form in our system. (For those who would like to do further research, the algorithm is known as a “one-way hash function” or “digital fingerprint” and is considered virtually impossible to decode, even given huge computing resources and months of time.)

    This is why you will be asked to provide nicknames for your various pieces of identification. SpotMyID cannot display the full number as we simply do not have it!

    Please read our privacy policy for more information on our security and privacy commitments.

• I received a breach notification. What do I do?

  • Act quickly! This is the best way to prevent any major identity theft damage. Log in to your Account Manager, where you will find extensive resources to help you know where and who to call to address the specific breach you have suffered.

    If you are a SpotMyID 5-pack or 10-pack user, you may also contact our customer support staff, available daily via phone, live chat and email. Our customer support is extremely knowledgeable and will be able to guide you through the necessary steps.

    Please note: although we do our utmost to provide you with the information and tools you need to react to any potential identity threat, we cannot take the required action (such as closing a credit card account, for example) on your behalf. This is for your security.

• Does Spot My ID guarantee I will not be the victim of ID theft?

  • SpotMyID offers advanced proactive protection against identity theft and may help you catch a personal data breach before severe financial and personal damage has occurred. Unfortunately, no service can 100% guarantee you will never be a victim of identity theft. Please read Tips on Identity Theft Protection for more steps you can take to keep yourself and your identity safe.