Frequently asked questions

We are offering a free monitoring service for Primary credit cardmembers that helps them look out for potential fraud threats beyond their Discover card accounts. Once you sign up for the service, we will send you alerts via email (and text message if you prefer). The service consists of three different types of alerts:

  1. We'll notify you if we find your Social Security number on the dark web that we are monitoring.
  2. We'll monitor your credit report every day and alert you when anyone pulls your credit, so you can recognize possible fraud.
  3. We'll monitor your credit report every day and notify you when new credit cards, mortgages, car loans or other credit accounts are listed in your name—even if they're not Discover accounts.

We monitor the dark web—a hidden area of the Internet where stolen Social Security numbers can be traded or sold for the purposes of identity theft and fraud. This process is also called internet scanning or internet surveillance. If we find your Social Security number, we'll send you an alert and help you take action.

We also monitor your credit report and notify you whenever any new inquiry or credit account is reported to your credit file, even if it's not a Discover account. In most cases, you will probably recognize it as an activity that you authorized. However, if you don't recognize the activity, we'll let you know what steps you need to take including informing the credit bureaus and report the activity as fraudulent.

Review the terms and conditions for the SSN, Inquiry & New Account Alerts here.

No, the SSN, Inquiry & New Account Alerts are completely free.

Yes, the service is available for all Primary credit card account members. If the card member has more than one Discover account where he/she is the Primary credit card account member, he/she can't opt into both.

Your fraud alerts (such as suspicious activity alerts and account log in alerts) keep you in the know about activity on your Discover Card account. Discover's SSN, Inquiry & New Account Alerts differ in that they keep you informed of any new inquiries or accounts opened on your Experian credit report or if your Social Security number is found on one of the thousands of Dark Web sites that we monitor, which may signal an increased exposure to identity theft.

No, only the Primary credit card member is eligible to receive the SSN, Inquiry & New Account Alerts. If your spouse or joint/secondary cardholder is the Primary cardmember of their own Discover Card account, he or she can enroll for these alerts on their account.

Identity theft is when someone steals your information, like your Social Security number, to assume your identity for the purposes of opening new accounts, signing up for services, or taking out loans in your name.

The easiest way to protect yourself from identity theft is by protecting your personal information. We suggest that you always do the following:

  • Shred any documents with account and other identifying numbers.
  • Check your personal credit report at least annually.
  • Change your email and other passwords regularly.
  • Think twice before sharing personal information with store clerks and telemarketers.
  • Stop paper statements. Get your statements online.
  • Enroll in email alerts to monitor your account activity.

Be sure to visit www.annualcreditreport.com to get a free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each credit reporting company. And of course, closely monitor all your accounts for fraud. Your Discover card has a $0 Fraud Liability Guarantee2, so you're never held responsible for unauthorized purchases on your Discover card account. We monitor every purchase, every day and alert you of any suspicious transactions by email, text or phone call. If you become the victim of identity theft, consult helpful resources like Link Identity Theft government sitewww.identitytheft.gov.

You'll get a free alert when we find your Social Security number on the dark web. Not all stolen information from a data breach ends up on these dark web sites. If they do, you'll receive an alert.

You'll get a free alert when a new credit inquiry appears on your credit report. When they do, you'll receive an alert.

You'll also get a free alert when there are new car loans, mortgages, credit cards or other accounts on your credit report. Keep in mind that it takes time, sometimes several weeks, for a lender to report a new account to Experian. When they do, you'll receive an alert.

Discover Bank recently merged into Capital One, N.A. As the companies come together and we work to deliver a common digital experience, content on this page may not apply to some Discover cards.  Specifically, if your card is eligible to be managed through the Capital One-branded mobile banking app or website, please login for the benefits and features that apply to your card.  If you have questions, please call the number on the back of your card.
 

  1. Discover® Identity Alerts (Alerts) currently provide: (a) daily monitoring of your Experian® credit report and an alert when a new inquiry or account is listed on your report; (b) daily monitoring of the dark web known for revealing personal information and an alert if your Social Security number is found. Alerts are offered by Discover, a division of Capital One, N.A., (Discover) at no cost, are available only online, and do not impact your credit score. Alerts are only provided to Primary cardmembers who agree to receive them online and whose accounts are open, in good standing, have a Social Security number, and an email address on file. This benefit may change or end in the future. Discover is not a credit repair organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act.
  2. An “unauthorized purchase” is a purchase where you have not given access to your card information to another person or a merchant for one-time or repeated charges. Please use reasonable care to protect your card and do not share it with employees, relatives, or friends. Learn more at Discover.com/fraudFAQ.