Equifax Introduces New Toolbar for Combating Online Identity Theft

ATLANTA, GA – Equifax Inc. is offering consumers a new line of defense against online fraud and identity theft. Using the free Equifax Toolbar, powered by EarthLink, the nation’s next generation Internet Service Provider, consumers can quickly determine the safety levels of Web sites – before they reveal personal information that could make them vulnerable to fraud. The Equifax Toolbar also includes a pop-up blocker which can save consumers valuable browsing time on the Web.

“Equifax is committed to helping consumers protect themselves from identity theft and keep their personal information out of the hands of fraudsters and identity thieves,” said Vince Corica, group executive, Personal Solutions, Equifax. “In an age where phishing scams and online fraud are becoming increasingly prevalent, the Equifax Toolbar is a free offering that empowers online consumers to become more effective guardians of their confidential information and privacy.”

According to the Anti-Phishing Working Group, the number of phishing sites in 2004 rose from 176 in January to 1,518 in November – a 760 percent increase in less than one year. Phishing scams take the form of fraudulent emails that appear to come from legitimate businesses in order to convince recipients to browse rogue Web sites. Appearing to come from prominent banks, online retailers and credit card companies, phishing emails lure recipients into divulging personal financial data, including bank account numbers, credit card information and social security numbers.

Downloadable to any Internet user, the Equifax Toolbar offers real-time fraud detection and analysis. A key component of the Equifax Toolbar is EarthLink’s ScamBlocker™ which alerts consumers to known or suspected phisher sites and provides information on the safety level of each visited Web site. The tool accesses an encrypted database of known and suspected fraudulent Web sites that is frequently updated, to help protect users from the latest scams and attempts at identity theft.

“Equifax has a well-established reputation as a leading provider of solutions to help protect consumers against online fraud and identity theft,” said Matt Cobb, EarthLink’s vice president of core applications. “The combination of Equifax’s identity theft expertise and EarthLink’s protection technology provides consumers with information to make informed decisions and keep their personal information private.”