Identity Guard, founded in 1996 as Intersections Inc., mines data and gathers insights about potential identity theft threats using the artificial intelligence capabilities of IBM’s Watson computing system.
According to Identity Guard, it boasts the quickest average response time for credit report requests made with the three credit agencies, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Identity Guard received a 2019 Rising Star award from CompareCamp, a software review, and comparison directory, for its near-real-time notifications of fraudulent conduct that could lead to identity theft.
About Identity Guard
In an industry rife with collaborations — Experian, like FICO, offers its own identity theft services – Identity Guard’s cooperation with Watson provides unique identity protection capabilities. Watson’s cognitive computing can assist in predicting which digital habits may expose members to identity theft. Watson also examines news stories and social media posts and sends alerts when a new phishing scheme targets a member’s bank or credit card firm.
Identity Guard provides three identity protection plans for Watson users: a low-cost Value subscription with minimal identity monitoring and recovery, a Total plan with three-bureau credit monitoring, and an Ultra plan with social media reporting.
Popular Identity Theft Protection Firms
#1. Identity guard
- Overall winner
- OVERALL RATING: 360
- 4 out of 5 stars
- Save 40% OFF Ultra Family Annual Plans with this exclusive offer from US News.
- COST OF MONTHLY PLAN : $29.99
- COST OF ANNUAL PLAN (PER MONTH): $20.00
- FAMILY PLAN IS AVAILABLE.
- A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
- Ultra
#2. IdentityForce
- Best for Monitoring Social Media
- OVERALL RATING: 360
- 4 out of 5 stars
- COST OF MONTHLY PLAN
- $23.99
- COST OF ANNUAL PLAN (PER MONTH)
- $15.99 $23.99
- A FAMILY PLAN IS AVAILABLE.
- A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
- Credit + UltraSecure
#3. LifeLock
- Best for Device protection
- OVERALL RATING: 360
- 3.9 of 5 stars
- COST OF MONTHLY PLAN: $34.99
- COST OF ANNUAL PLAN (PER MONTH): $29.17
- A FAMILY PLAN IS AVAILABLE.
- A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
- The Ultimate Plus
Identity Guard Review
4 out of 5 stars
Listed as the best identity theft protection company in 2023.
Pros of Identity Guard
- Every day, artificial intelligence scans millions of articles to detect potential identity theft.
- When shopping, banking, or paying bills online, secure browsing solutions are available.
- TransUnion Vantage credit score monthly with Ultra Plan
- Best-in-Class Fraud Protection
- Notifications and Alerts in Depth
- AI-Driven, Dynamic Defenses
- Strong Credit Monitoring with a Credit Lock Option
- A Gamified Approach to Risk Mitigation
- There are numerous benefits and bonuses available.
Cons of Identity Guard
- There is no specialized computer tool package available.
- Only offers credit reports once a year.
- Monitoring of Social Media Is Limited
- A little pricey
- The App Could Use an Update
On our list of the Best Identity Theft Protection Services of 2023, Identity Guard ranks first. It is renowned for its collaboration with IBM Watson, which delivers artificial intelligence that scans millions of articles every day to detect potential identity theft. They also feature secure browsing options for online shopping, banking, and bill payment.
Identity Guard Identity Theft Protection Plans
Identity Guard offers three different plans.
#1. The Value plan
The Value plan, which costs $7.50 per month for people and $12.50 per month for families, is a solid choice for basic identity theft protection and minimal identity monitoring. IBM Watson-powered artificial intelligence searches the public internet. Identity Guard also keeps a close eye on the dark web for any questionable behavior.
The Value plan also includes measures to secure your internet browsing and identity whether banking, shopping, or paying payments. You can also get a mobile anti-phishing app. In addition, if it looks that your identity has been stolen, a dedicated case manager based in the United States is available. The Value plan includes a risk management score and an online identity dashboard, but no tax refund alerts, credit or address tracking, or monthly credit scores.
#2. Total plan
Identity Guard’s Total plan has the same benefits as the Value plan plus increased identity theft protection, such as three-bureau credit monitoring and your monthly credit score. It is important to note that the credit score you obtain from Identity Guard is based on the information in your TransUnion credit file. It is only for informational purposes and is not the same as the one used by lenders to analyze your credit.
You will also receive alerts for tax refunds, bank account takeovers, and other occurrences if you subscribe to the Total plan. Individuals pay $16.67 per month, while families pay $25. According to Identity Guard, the score it offers is exclusively for educational purposes and is derived using information from your TransUnion credit file. Lenders utilize a variety of credit scoring systems, and the number you obtain from Identity Guard may not be the same as the score used by lenders to analyze your credit.
#3. The Ultra Plan
The Ultra Plan is Identity Guard’s most comprehensive plan, offering all of the benefits of the previous plans as well as additional features. The plan includes three-bureau credit reports, credit and debit card monitoring, 401k and investment account monitoring, criminal and sexual offense monitoring, USPS address change monitoring, and the house title track. Individuals pay $25 per month, while families pay $33.33 per month.
Is Identity Guard a good fit for me?
Ideal for:
- A strong artificial intelligence system that searches for dangers to one’s identity.
- Secure credit card shopping, banking, and online bill payment are all possible using secure surfing technologies.
- Receiving a credit score on a monthly basis to monitor any activity on your credit file
Not Suitable for:
- Specialized computer protection software
- Credit reports are issued more than once a year.
The plans offered by Identity Guard differ from those offered by other firms in one significant way: Identity Guard’s relationship with IBM to provide its members with access to identity monitoring powered by IBM Watson artificial intelligence. Identity Guard claims that by scanning millions of articles, it can detect identity risks faster than the competition. Watson is included in all three Identity Guard plans, including the $7.50-per-month Value plan for individuals.
Identity Guard Features
Next, we looked at how Identity Guard enabled consumers to protect themselves against identity theft.
#1. Credit Checking
Identity Guard mostly monitored our credit in order to protect our identity. They monitored credit from all three credit reporting agencies, Experian®, TransUnion®, and Equifax®, with the Total and Ultra plans. We also received credit score updates on a monthly basis.
#2. Financial Oversight
The identity Guard kept track of our finances in addition to credit changes, scores, and reports. Identity Guard kept a tight eye on all of our assets, including our 401(k) and investment accounts, as well as high-risk transactions, debit and credit cards. After new financial accounts or takeovers were opened in our names, the corporation alerted us. The identity Guard also alerted us if our address appeared on banking paperwork.
#3. Added features
Finally, we put Identity Guard’s cybersecurity features to the test, including its safe surfing tools, dark web scan, and anti-phishing mobile app. Continue reading to learn more about what each one entailed.
- Dark web scan: The dark web is a hotbed of criminality because it is an area of the internet where all users stay anonymous. Identity Guard sends us warnings as part of our membership whenever it discovered our credentials on the dark web. When this happened, Identity Guard explained the problem clearly and asked us to change our passwords.
- Criminal and sex crime monitoring: If the system discovered our names on a sex offender register or a police record, it would have immediately told us, but happily, this did not occur.
- Monitoring of USPS address changes: We appreciated that Identity Guard protected us from mail fraud by guaranteeing the accuracy of our postal address. In reality, if someone sought to change our address, its crew would have told us.
- Monitoring of house titles: If someone opened a home title in our names, Identity Guard notified us promptly.
- Risk management report: Identity Guard created a risk management report that showed us how vulnerable we were to identity fraud.
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- Browser Extension: Identity Guard even had a browser extension that helps protect our online privacy by preventing phishing attacks, blocking adverts, flash, trackers, and mining.
- Anti-phishing: Apart from the Identity Guard Classic app, the business also provided us with the Anti Phishing by Identity Guard mobile app, which detected and blocked phishing websites on Chrome, Dolphin, and Samsung Internet.
- Social insight report: Using IBM® WatsonTM artificial intelligence, the social insight report assessed our Facebook account to assess our “online image” and even recommended adjustments.
Identity Guard communicated with us on a regular basis via SMS, app, and email alerts. If we were victimized by identity theft, we may be reimbursed up to $1 million, which is the market benchmark for identity theft insurance.
Identity Guard Identity Theft Protection Features
| The monthly cost for the annual plan | $6.67 – $20.00 |
| Credit score monitoring | Yes |
| Sex offender registry monitoring | Yes |
| Risk management report | Yes |
| Identity theft insurance reimbursement maximum | Up to $1 million |
| Live chat customer support | No |
| Customer information shared with third parties? | Yes |
Identity Guard Security and privacy
Because Identity Guard is situated in the United States, it is susceptible to the multinational monitoring alliances Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and 14 Eyes. This means that, under certain instances, we may be legally compelled to pass over customer data, which makes us uneasy enough to investigate Identity Guard’s privacy policies. We wanted to know what kind of customer information it kept.
We discovered that they share our information with third parties or provide free services to them, but not for advertising or marketing objectives. Of course, we could choose how much information we wanted to enter into the Identity Guard app, but the more information we provided, the more the services could monitor (and potentially share with third parties), so it was a bit of a catch-22. This includes our usernames, passwords, birthdays, Social Security numbers, and payment information, at the very least.
Fortunately, its customer data was secured, albeit only with 128-bit encryption, rather than the industry norm of 256-bit. While the organization hasn’t had any data breaches thus far, it’s not the best option for those who are particularly concerned about their privacy.
If you fall under this category, you should consider upgrading to a service that uses 256-bit encryption, such as Experian IdentityWorks. Higher encryption, as outlined in our Experian IdentityWorks review, means the program is better able to protect your most sensitive information.
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Identity Guard User Experience
On a more positive side, we found Identity Guard to be simple to set up and operate. We examined our alerts in the dashboard after entering our information and paying, and we validated our identity in two ways: we answered a few multiple-choice questions and a couple of threat questions.
The more information we provided, the more data they could return to us, especially for AI-powered features like social insight and risk management reports.
We moved between the Dashboard, notifications, and Watchlist, as well as our credit reports and scores, once we’d entered all of our information.
What is the Cost of Identity Guard?
Identity Guard costs $6.67, $13.33, or $20.00 per month for individual plans if you join up for a year. With annual plans, the prices jump to $10, $20.00, or $26.67 per month for families. If you join up on a month-to-month basis, the cost is either $7.20, $15.99, or $23.99 for an individual, or $11.99, $23.99, or $31.99 for families.
Feature | Value | Total | Ultra |
| 401k and Investment Account Monitoring | No | No | Yes |
| Annual Credit Report from 3 Bureaus | No | No | Yes |
| Bank Account Monitoring | No | Yes | Yes |
| Credit and Debit Card Monitoring | No | No | Yes |
| Credit Monitoring from 3 Bureaus | No | Yes | Yes |
| Criminal and Sex Offense Monitoring | No | No | Yes |
| Customer Support Based in the U.S | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dark Web Monitoring | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Data Breach Notifications | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| High-Risk Transaction Monitoring | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Home Title Monitoring | No | No | Yes |
| Identity Theft Insurance with $1 Million Maximum Reimbursement | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Monthly Credit Score from 3 Bureaus | No | Yes | Yes |
| Risk Management Report | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Safe Browsing Tool | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Social Media Insights Report | No | No | Yes |
| USPS Address Change Monitoring | Yes | No | Yes |
| White-Glove Resolution Concierge | No | No | Yes |
| Cost for an individual monthly plan | $7.20 | $15.99 | $23.99 |
| The monthly cost for an individual annual plan | $6.67 | $13.33 | $20.00 |
| The total amount billed for an individual annual plan | $80 | $160 | $240 |
| Cost for a monthly family plan | $11.99 | $23.99 | $31.99 |
| The monthly cost for the family annual plan | $10 | $20.00 | $26.67 |
| The total amount billed for the family annual plan | $120 | $240 | $320 |
Identity Guard costs $8.99 a month for one person or $14.99 per month for the entire family.
Discover a plan that works for you.
Identity Guard provides plans for both commercial and personal use, as well as individuals and groups within those two categories. Regardless of the subscription plan we choose, we had the option of signing an annual or monthly commitment. We had no issue locating a plan that met our needs. They also offer a plan for spouses, which is unusual in the identity monitoring sector.
Although it was a reasonable price of $23.99 per month or $240 per year for a person, the Ultra plan gave the maximum coverage, whether through the solo plan or the Identity Guard family plan. We signed up for a year since we knew we wanted to try the service, and it comes with a 17 percent discount. Although all plans contain a $1 million maximum compensation for identity theft, only the Total and Ultra plans monitor credit scores and reports from all three credit-reporting bureaus.
Identity Guard, however, does not provide a free trial. They do, however, offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, which can be used as a trial period. Try out the software for 30 days, and if you aren’t satisfied, you can get your money back. It’s a kind of do-it-yourself free trial for Identity Guard.
We liked the 30-day guarantee as an alternative to a free trial. If you’d rather try before you buy, our IdentityIQ review and LifeLock review are terrific places to start.
Identity Guard Customer Service
We were unimpressed with Identity Guard’s customer service. We called its phone number, which was open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., EST.
While there was a part of frequently asked questions on the Identity Guard website, there weren’t many online help resources for us. We also wish Identity Guard had live chat support. The majority of identity theft services have jumped on board with live chat.
How to Purchase Identity Guard
- Examine your plans. Identity Guard has three plans as well as a handy comparison tool that allows you to compare the alternatives side by side. Determine which features are crucial to you and select a plan that includes them.
- Fill out the form. You must create an account by supplying information such as your name, address, and phone number. To begin as a subscriber, you will also select a password.
- Give your personal information. Identity theft tools use information such as credit card numbers, bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, and other personal information to monitor activities and identify red signals. Make sure to read the service terms of use so you know how your information will be saved and used.
To sign up for Identity Guard, follow these steps:
- Determine which features are important to you and compare plans using the website’s handy chart.
- Create an account and fill in the blanks with your name, physical address, email address, and phone number.
- Choose a password.
Other personally identifying information, such as your Social Security number, should be provided. Identity Guard’s monitoring tools can efficiently look for red flags and breaches of identity theft with this information.
The Identity Guard Classic App
We used the Identity Guard Classic app to get user alerts, view our credit information, and stay up to date on the newest identity theft news.
Unfortunately, the app received only a 2.2 out of 5-star rating from iOS users.
In a recent 1-star review, one user stated,
“The app is excessively basic, with few to no details.” I use three credit monitoring services, and Identity Guard missed everything that had an impact on my credit score. I registered new accounts and received no warnings.”
Android consumers had a different opinion, awarding the app a 2.7 rating on the Google Play store.
Users of Identity Guard IBM® WatsonTM should conduct their own research on the iOS and Android apps that work with that version. We only tried the Classic edition.
While IdentityForce is still an outstanding choice for identity theft protection, the app did not impress us. Check out ID Watchdog if you prefer desktop access over mobile.
What Is the Trial Period for Identity Guard?
It does not provide a free trial period.
Identity Guard vs. The Competition
#1. IdentityIQ
- OVERALL RATING: 360
- 3.9 of 5 stars
- COST OF MONTHLY PLAN : $29.99
- COST OF ANNUAL PLAN (PER MONTH): N/A
- A FAMILY PLAN IS AVAILABLE.
- 3-CREDIT MONITORING BUREAU
- A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
- Max Security
IdentityIQ vs. Identity Guard
Identity Guard uses artificial intelligence to monitor millions of social media posts and publications for identity threats on a daily basis. IdentityIQ, on the other hand, does not offer social media monitoring. Identity Guard also offers solutions to help you keep your financial information secure while browsing the web, such as when banking, buying or paying bills online.
IdentityIQ’s Secure Max plan includes three-bureau credit reports each month. However, Identity Guard’s most expensive plan only delivers reports once a year.
Identity Guard’s family plans range in price from $12.50 to $33.33 per month. IdentityIQ provides up to $25,000 in identity theft protection for family members for no additional cost beyond the $29.99 monthly price.
#2. PrivacyGuard
- OVERALL RATING: 360
- 3 out of 5 stars
- COST OF MONTHLY PLAN: $24.99
- COST OF ANNUAL PLAN (PER MONTH): N/A
- A FAMILY PLAN IS AVAILABLE.
- 3-CREDIT MONITORING BUREAU
- A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
- Total Protection from Privacy Guard
PrivacyGuard vs. Identity Guard
PrivacyGuard does not provide a family plan. To include family members in a plan, Identity Guard charges an additional fee. Identity Guard also provides social media monitoring, which PrivacyGuard does not.
PrivacyGuard provides a mobile app that allows you to contact customer service, view notifications, and access general account information. The mobile app for Identity Guard provides comparable features. Both firms offer identity theft insurance for up to $1 million (but see an actual policy for details).
2023’s Best Identity Theft Protection Services
If Identity Guard isn’t right for you, have a look at the other firms on our list of the Best Identity Theft Protection Services in 2023.
- IdentityWorks by Experian
- IdentityForce
- IdentityIQ
- IDShield
- Watchdog for Identification
- LifeLock
- PrivacyGuard
- Zander
The Big Picture of Identity Guard
Overall, we were taken away by Identity Guard’s attention to detail and powerful capabilities, which is why we ranked it first in our top identity theft protection report for 2023. While the app left something to be desired, the service more than made up for it with the depth of the desktop experience. With all of the bonuses and add-ons, we were more than satisfied.
We can’t recommend Identity Guard highly enough if you’re willing to spend the money. But keep in mind that we choose their premium plan, which costs $20.00 per month. If the cost is very expensive, it may be worthwhile to investigate other complete protection services, such as IDWatchdog, which provides comparable safeguards.
While Identity Guard is not the cheapest solution available, we found it to be the most comprehensive, hands down.
How does Identity Guard monitor my credit?
Identity Guard monitors your credit by regularly checking your credit report from all three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. If any changes are detected, you will be alerted and can take action to resolve the issue.
Can I use Identity Guard if I already have a credit monitoring service?
Yes, you can use Identity Guard even if you already have a credit monitoring service. Identity Guard provides a comprehensive suite of identity theft protection services, including credit monitoring, which can complement an existing credit monitoring service.
How does Identity Guard help if I become a victim of identity theft?
If you become a victim of identity theft, Identity Guard provides a dedicated team of experts to help you resolve the issue. This team will assist you in reporting the theft to the appropriate authorities, cancelling and replacing stolen accounts, and restoring your identity.
Is Identity Guard available for individuals or businesses?
Identity Guard is available for both individuals and businesses. The service provides customized identity theft protection solutions for individuals and businesses, depending on their specific needs.
How much does Identity Guard cost?
The cost of Identity Guard depends on the level of protection you choose. Plans range from basic identity theft protection to comprehensive plans that include credit monitoring, fraud resolution services, and more. You can contact Identity Guard directly for more information on pricing.
Identity Guard FAQs
Is it safe to give SSN to Identity Guard?
Yes, your Social Security Number is necessary for identification verification. As part of your membership, we use your Social Security number to look for evidence of identity fraud.
How Much Does Identity Guard cost a month?
Individuals pay $16.67 per month, while families pay $25.
How do I cancel Identity Guard?
Call the Identity Guard customer service line at 1-855-900-3213 and ask to cancel your subscription.
Who owns Identityguard?
Hari Ravichandran, Identity Guard Founder, and CEO.
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