Affinion Group, a leading global affinity marketer and preeminent identity theft protection provider, announced today that it has partnered with Debix Inc., the Identity Protection Network, to offer a sophisticated new tool that stops identity thieves from opening fraudulent credit accounts.  This cutting-edge new technology, called Debix Instant Authorization, will be offered as part of Affinions robust and growing portfolio of identity theft services beginning in the first quarter of 2008.

Debix Instant Authorization technology stops identity thieves from taking out loans and credit cards using stolen personal information.  Before any new credit accounts can be opened, any bank can send the consumer a secure automated phone call prompting the consumer to authorize or reject the transaction.  Consumers positively know whether or not they applied for the account, and with Debix, they become the banks strongest ally in preventing identity theft.

In spite of legislative efforts by the U.S. Congress to protect the consumer, identity theft remains the fastest growing crime in America.  Debixs technology expands upon the existing protections, making them more secure, automated and convenient.

"Given the trust our clients place in us to service their brands and customers, we work with only the very best," said Tom Rusin, president and chief executive officer of Affinion Group North America.  "Embedding Debixs technology into our existing arsenal of identity theft and fraud protection services arms the consumer with one of the most robust suite of resources available anywhere, and further enhances the relationships between our partners and their customers."

The Debix platform enables banks and creditors to initiate Instant Authorization requests via a telephone, web browser or application programming interface.  Debixs voice server(s) calls the consumer on up to three pre- registered phone numbers, requests authorization and returns the response code to the creditor.  It is easy, fast and very secure.

"Every month, the Debix network stops over 70 identity thieves and authorizes over 10,000 new credit accounts safely," said Bo Holland, chief executive officer of Debix.  "With Affinions consumer reach, we will stop thieves by the thousands and provide peace of mind to millions of Americans and their bankers."

Debix stops Identity Theft before it happens.  The core technology, Debix Instant Authorization, stops impersonation - the root problem underlying all forms of Identity Theft.  This patent-pending technology enables banks to communicate instantly and securely with consumers to make 100% sure that a transaction is legitimate.  Most importantly, it is consumer friendly - if a consumer can answer a telephone, they can use Debix.  

According to a study from Javelin Strategy & Research, there have been 27.3 million victims of identity theft in the past five years in the United States, and nearly 20 million in the past two years alone.  This crime costs more than US$56 billion or US$6,383 per victim annually, becoming so prevalent that an identity thief strikes on average every 3.5 seconds.

Affinion Group developed the first membership credit monitoring product in 1992, and remains one of the largest providers of identity theft solutions in the U.S.