Nationwide Insurance, ID Theft Assist Add Credit Monitoring to ID Theft Protection Coverage

Nationwide Insurance and Washington, D.C.-based ID Theft Assist are enhancing their ground-breaking identity theft protection and recovery service to include free credit monitoring.

With nearly 9 million victims in 2005, identity theft is America's fastest-growing crime. Most people don't realize they have been victimized until over a year after the crime occurred. By then much of the damage is already done.

"It's crucial that consumers find out as soon as possible when their personal information has been compromised in order to stop the bleeding," said Deidre Abbitt, ID Theft product manager for Nationwide Insurance. "With credit monitoring, Nationwide ID Theft policyholders are immediately notified of possible fraud attempts so that an experienced advocate can begin working on their behalf."

ID Theft Assist's full-service identity recovery system also includes 24- hour, seven-days-a-week access to an emergency call center; instantaneous access to credit reports; worldwide service that includes language translation and limited emergency cash advances; and legal support to help restore your identity.

With the addition of credit monitoring, Nationwide ID Theft policyholders will be notified if any changes are made to their credit report. That includes any new accounts opened in their name, when the address is changed on an account, any time an account moves into a late payment status, when a creditor has reviewed their files or any other critical change.

"Identity thieves are getting more sophisticated and Americans need to be vigilant when protecting their good names," said Guillaume Deybach, president and CEO of Worldwide Assistance-headquarters for the ID Theft Assist service. "We believe our product provides the necessary support customers need when faced with such a situation."

Nationwide's innovative ID Theft product provides victims an experienced advocate who will work through the myriad of red tape on their behalf. Coverage is now available to anyone who wishes to purchase it, not just Nationwide homeowner or auto policyholders.

"Credit monitoring is a powerful weapon in the fight against identity fraud," Abbitt says. "And if you do become a victim, our coverage provides 'real' assistance and takes the legwork out of restoring your good name. It's just one more advantage of On Your Side(R) service."

* Nationwide's ID Theft product is not available in every state.

About Nationwide Insurance:

Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the world, with more than $158 billion in assets. Nationwide ranks 98th on the Fortune 500 list. The company provides a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto, homeowners, life, health, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mutual funds, pensions and long-term savings plans. For more information, visit http://www.nationwide.com.

About ID Theft Assist:

ID Theft Assist was launched in January of 2004. The emergency service center is headquartered in the offices of Worldwide Assistance in Washington, D.C. Worldwide Assistance Services Inc, a division of Europ Assistance Group, has been in operation since 1982 in the United States. Its office has not closed for one single day since.

Nationwide, the Nationwide Framemark and On Your Side are federally registered trade marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. ID Theft Assist is a service mark of Worldwide Benefit Services, LLC.

Contacts:

Charley Gillespie, Nationwide

(614) 249-5701

gillesc1@nationwide.com

Chris Ward, ID Theft Assist

(866)-694-3911

cward@idtheftassist.com

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