# Identity Theft-Preventing Apps 'Civic' Sends a Notification When a Social Security Number Is Used By M | Published 2016-07-23 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/social-security-number References: [mentalfloss](http://mentalfloss.com/article/83469/new-service-notifies-you-when-your-social-security-number-used) & [civic](https://www.civic.com/) 'Civic' is an online platform that helps to prevent [identity theft](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iris-id) before it happens by sending [push notifications to smartphone users](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/protector-app) when their social security number is used. Users will then be allowed to verify the purchases made using their social security number before they officially go through, as a way to ensure each interaction is valid. The platform is offered free to smartphone users along with a $1 million dollar insurance plan should theft happen. The fees are charged to companies rather than the users, providing a virtually free form of protection against [stolen card information](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/antifraud-solution). The app can be downloaded on to mobile devices so that the push notifications can be sent directly and immediately for constant scanning. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.9/10 - Popularity: 33% | Activity: 17% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Identity-theft Prevention:** Opportunity for developing more advanced and customized identity-theft prevention apps. - **Real-time Scanning:** Opportunity for real-time scanning and notification technologies to prevent identity theft. - **Mobile Security:** Opportunity for mobile security companies to improve their services by leveraging real-time scanning technologies and offering insurance plans. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Mobile Apps:** Opportunity for mobile app developers to create and market customizable identity theft-prevention apps. - **Financial Services:** Opportunity for financial services companies to partner with identity-theft prevention apps in providing more comprehensive protection to their customers. - **Insurance:** Opportunity for insurance companies to partner or offer additional services alongside identity-theft prevention apps, such as fraud insurance and recovery support. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Automated ID Authentication Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/authentication-apps.md) - [Mobile Banking Verification Applications](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bivial-ag.md) - [Anti-Stalking App Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tile.md) - [Location-Aware Security Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/revolut-street-mode.md) - [Advanced Identity Screening Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/neuroid.md) - [Extensive Online Verification Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sign-in-with-id.md) - [Art Market Authentication Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/art-authentication-app.md) - [Personal Safety Applications](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/citizen-app.md) - [Mobile Privacy Guards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/who-is-tracking-my-phone.md)