Identity theft protection services are becoming more popular as identity theft gets increasingly sophisticated. Swindlers now deploy an ever-evolving array of techniques and tools to hijack your personal information.
If successful, a fraudster can use your identifying information to open credit accounts, file a tax return or assume your identity in other ways.
You may be doing everything in the book to reduce the risk of identity theft. Each of your accounts has a different password with various numbers and special symbols that you change frequently. Your birthdays are wrong on all your social media accounts. You even refuse to connect to your local cafe’s Wi-Fi because it’s not a secure network.
Even with these precautions, you can still fall prey to identity theft.
What is an Identity Theft Protection Service?
An identity theft protection service monitors your Personal Identifiable Information (PII) to ensure it doesn’t fall into the hands of identity thieves. Protection may include monitoring for your Social Security number, bank account, retirement account, credit file, home title, and other sensitive information.
You will receive an immediate alert if your PII is compromised. Top-tier ID protection services also insure customers against ID theft and provide full restoration services in the event of a breach.
Identity theft is a common problem worldwide. It affects millions of people every year, from the average working man to the rich and famous. What makes it worse is the fact that there’s really nothing we can do to guarantee our safety. Anyone with personal information, even small children and the elderly can fall victim to this crime.
Of course, we can minimize the risks by taking care of our privacy and making sure our personal information is locked down. We also highly recommend getting an identity theft protection service.
Identity protection services offer three points of protection:
- They detect early signs of identity theft to prevent it from escalating.
- They offer courses of action to recover from identity theft, like stolen funds reimbursement through insurance.
- They provide proactive protection features like malware detection and removal of personal data from risky sites.
Those are the staple features of identity protection services. Most providers claim to offer those, but in our experience, only a select few can actually deliver. The best way to know if a service works is to test it.
10 Best Identity Protection Services
Aura
Aura provides robust protections against identity theft, including online account surveillance, financial transaction monitoring, and a secure digital “vault” for storing sensitive personal data.
In the event of a data breach, Aura promptly intervenes with security alerts, comprehensive fraud resolution services, and up to $1 million per person in premium identity theft insurance. The platform’s sleek, user-friendly interface also showcases a “Protection Summary,” conveniently displaying active anti-identity theft measures on a central dashboard.
The suite also features a password manager that simplifies the generation and storage of multiple robust passwords. Moreover, Aura’s VPN utilizes high-grade encryption to safeguard your online activity, particularly on public Wi-Fi networks. Additionally, they offer AI-powered antivirus and safe browsing tools, which serve as a digital fortress against unwanted site trackers and fraudulent sites.
Aura monitors all three credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recommends to detect identity theft. The CFPB also advises vigilance for credit check inquiries from unfamiliar companies and suspicious accounts, all of which Aura can oversee for you.
Aura is also one of the few services that offer a free trial. You’ll have 14 days to explore the service and decide if it’s for you. If you like it, you can keep your subscription. Otherwise, you can cancel without any catches. Since not a lot of companies offer a free trial, we recommend signing up to test out not just Aura, but the general experience of having identity protection service, especially if it’s your first time signing up for one.
LifeLock
A huge part of preventing identity theft is ensuring your devices aren’t leaking personal information, especially now that scammers are resorting to online means to target as many victims as possible. That’s what makes NortonLifeLock an exceptional choice.
LifeLock, a well-established identity protection company, merged with Norton, a strong player in the antivirus space, to form NortonLifeLock. That partnership means that LifeLock can now offer both identity protection and proactive device protection. The device protections include antivirus, a VPN, a password manager, and more.
And just recently, Avast, another antivirus software company, joined the party, further strengthening NortonLifeLock’s position as a pillar of digital security.
Of course, LifeLock still offers the standard features we see in identity protection services. As the company’s name suggests, for example, LifeLock lets you lock your credit easily; it even lets you freeze your child’s credit if they’re a part of your subscription. All three LifeLock plans help if you lose your wallet or detect identity fraud.
The main categories of LifeLock features are:
- Theft prevention
- Credit monitoring
- Identity recovery assistance
- Identity theft insurance up to $1 million
Lifelock’s plans include ID and Social Security number alerts and are offered in tandem with Norton’s 360 suite. This means that combo plans net you VPN services plus solid ID theft features like stolen funds reimbursement that ranges from $25,000 to $1 million dollars, bank account and credit card activity alerts, and even 401(k) investment account alerts on the Ultimate Plus plan.
LifeLock also offers LifeLock Junior, an affordable add-on for children under 18 that includes Dark Web monitoring and file-sharing network searches. All plans include 24/7 live member support and the aide of US-based identity restoration specialists.
Identity Guard
With 20 years of industry experience, Identity Guard stands out for providing effective identity theft protection and monitoring services, powered by AI. These services promptly alert you to a wide range of potential threats. They also offer up to $1 million in insurance coverage per adult to cover legal fees and replace lost funds.
Identity Guard has safeguarded over 45 million identities and resolved more than 140,000 cases to date. They collaborate with IBM Watson’s AI technology, leveraging its advanced data analysis and predictive capabilities to enhance threat detection.
The service protects your online identity by monitoring the dark web (a notorious hub for cybercrime activities) and alerting you if criminals are selling your personal information. Identity Guard also continuously monitors your personal and financial data, with their U.S.-based support team always at the ready to handle any emerging issues.
An Identity Guard subscription covers all four features recommended above:
- Theft prevention
- Credit monitoring
- Identity recovery assistance
- Identity theft insurance up to $1 million
Furthermore, Identity Guard family plans can help kids stay safe online. If identity fraud happens to any family member, a dedicated case manager will help restore the victim’s name and cover up to $1 million in related expenses.
Zander
Zander Insurance’s anti-identity theft service diligently scans the dark web to prevent criminals from selling personal information such as your Social Security and driver’s license numbers. The company offers plans for both individuals and families. Notably, their family plans cover two adults and up to 10 children at no additional cost.
Their emphasis on top-tier identity recovery services, such as full-service recovery, makes them an excellent choice for those at an elevated risk of identity theft. This includes previous victims of ID theft, individuals who frequently conduct online transactions, and those active on multiple social media accounts.
Zander’s top-tier package, the Elite Cyber Bundle, includes online security features such as a VPN and antivirus protection. This service also defends against all forms of identity theft, including financial fraud, medical fraud, and child identity theft. Additionally, it’s endorsed by radio personality and financial guru Dave Ramsey.
The unique selling point of Zander Insurance is its focus on premium recovery service. They provide a dedicated U.S.-based recovery team and up to $1 million per person in insurance coverage. However, to maintain low prices, they don’t offer credit or financial transaction monitoring, which they believe individuals can manage independently through banks and credit bureaus.
myFICO
myFICO, the consumer division of FICO – the company behind the FICO credit score – provides a robust identity theft defense plan with comprehensive credit report monitoring. It especially caters to those seeking to improve their credit.
myFICO distinguishes itself from the competition by prioritizing thorough credit monitoring across all three bureaus, irrespective of the subscription plan selected. Its alert system for credit inquiries also serves as a unique potential fraud warning feature.
The platform delivers significant value through extensive three-bureau monitoring and 24/7 identity restoration services. It also includes $1 million in identity theft insurance. However, while the advanced tier offers quarterly updates, the premier subscription provides monthly updates. You receive alerts for any inquiries made on your credit reports, potentially indicating fraudulent use of your personal information.
Regrettably, myFICO does not offer a free trial or family plans. And while you can cancel anytime, they do not provide a refund.
IdentityIQ
Protecting customers from a wide range of identity fraud categories, including financial fraud and medical insurance fraud, is IdentityIQ’s mission. And it takes it seriously. It focuses specifically on fraud involving Social Security details.
The team at IdentityIQ takes extensive measures to monitor activities related to Social Security numbers. What sets them apart is their commitment to keeping customers informed. Unlike other services that only flag suspicious activities, IdentityIQ ensures that users receive alerts every time their SSN is used, regardless of whether the activity appears suspicious or not. This approach guarantees that no activity slips through the cracks.
In addition to monitoring though, IdentityIQ also provides proactive protections in the form of a VPN. It also offers some safety nets in case a customer falls victim to identity theft, including top-notch identity restoration service, dedicated case managers based in the US, and insurance coverage up to $1 million.
Here are some of the main benefits of having an IdentityIQ subscription:
- Alerts to changes in credit scores and personal information on credit accounts
- Detection of new credit and trade lines opened in your name
- Continuous dark web monitoring for data leaks
- Alerts whenever your Social Security number is used
- Monthly, bi-annual, or annual credit reports from the three main credit bureaus
- Checks for national and international arrest and conviction records under your name (with Secure Pro and Secure Max plans)
- National Change of Address registry alerts for change of address requests
- Lost wallet assistance
- Up to $1 million identity theft insurance coverage
- U.S.-based identity restoration services
In addition, if you opt for the highest plan, you’ll get additional benefits like free family coverage, identity restoration service with limited power of attorney, and a credit score simulator.
MyCleanID
MyCleanID combines identity theft monitoring with specialized diagnostic software to effectively protect against identity theft. This tool scours your hard drive and conceals the location of any data—sensitive information like phone numbers, email addresses, and credit card numbers—that could be exploited by identity thieves.
The platform employs diagnostic software that scans for security risks on your device, offering an added layer of protection to its identity safeguards. The anti-identity theft product also provides consistent monitoring and alert systems. These could ultimately prove invaluable to keep your information out of ID thieves’ reach.
Furthermore, MyCleanID constantly tracks changes to your credit reports, newly opened accounts, and suspicious activity tied to your Social Security number or physical address. The service even includes lost wallet protection, with up to $2,000 in emergency cash and a maximum of $1 million in identity theft insurance.
MyCleanID is unique in protecting both your local device and cloud-based personal information. All you need to do is download the diagnostic software to your computer.
However, while it will flag issues for free, correcting these problems will require a $19.99 annual subscription. Also, it lacks multiple subscription tiers with varying levels of features.
McAfee
McAfee wasn’t always an identity theft protection service provider, because, of course, you can recognize it as one of the leading antivirus brands. In recent years, however, McAfee has forayed into other forms of digital protection, and that includes protecting users’ digital identities.
It may be working well for the company, because over the past year, McAfee has continued to strengthen its identity protections. It has added identity monitoring, credit monitoring, ID theft insurance, and monthly credit reports to its list of features.
McAfee might remind you of LifeLock and Norton’s partnership, but McAfee’s identity protection and device protection is more than just a partnership. All the features are integrated into an easy-to-use dashboard where you can access firewall features, the McAfee VPN, data cleanup tools, and a bunch of more nuanced but very useful digital security features.
All these features mesh together seamlessly for a smooth experience.
Depending on which level of protection you choose, McAfee offers a number of valuable benefits.
- Dark web monitoring
- Security freeze
- Data cleanup
- Protection score
- $1 million theft and restoration coverage
- Unlimited VPN
- McAfee antivirus software
IdentityTheft.com
If you want to keep a close watch on your credit reports, IdentityTheft.com is an excellent choice. It collaborates with ScoreSense to offer an effective solution against identity theft. The platform conducts daily scans to identify irregular credit report activities and other potential signs of identity theft, promptly alerting you to such occurrences.
You also have the option to request complete credit reports from all three bureaus to review for errors, unauthorized changes, or suspicious activity.
Furthermore, IdentityTheft.com expands its monitoring services to other personal accounts, such as driver’s licenses or credit cards. It delves into the dark web to ensure that your personal data isn’t being sold by cybercriminals. To enhance your protection, the service offers $1 million in insurance coverage to compensate for any financial loss resulting from identity theft.
However, if you want protection against a wide array of identity theft scams, you’ll need to set up additional account monitoring manually. This platform also doesn’t provide full-service identity resolution in the event of a breach. Instead, they guide you through the necessary steps, ranging from closing unauthorized accounts to filing police reports and FTC complaints.
The service provides access to personalized consultations with credit specialists and a dedicated dispute center. Moreover, it delivers monthly updates from all three credit bureaus and actively monitors for any unusual activity daily.
IDShield
If your identity is stolen, the expense can be exorbitant! Most ID theft protection companies offer up to $1 million in ID theft insurance. IDShield is unique for upping that limit. Under its Family Plan, customers are eligible for up to $2 million in identity theft reimbursement.
In addition, the company employs a team of licensed private investigators to deal with identity fraud, and investigative support is available 24/7. IDShield also pledges to keep working on your case if your identity is compromised until files are completely restored and financial damages are reversed.
The main benefits of membership are:
- ID theft prevention
- Credit monitoring
- Identity recovery assistance
- Identity theft insurance up to $2,000,000
You can get an identity protection plan that provides you with one credit report, or you can get one that supplies reports from all three credit bureaus. Choices include:
- IDShield Individual, $14.95/month & up – This comprehensive ID protection plan monitors social media, payday lending services, and other platforms to detect fraudulent activity. If your identity is compromised, you’ll get dedicated support and can call private investigators for advice anytime. Choose credit report monitoring from one bureau ($14.95 per month plan) or all three ($19.95 per month plan). Plans include $1 million in insurance policies.
- IDShield Family, $29.95 per month and up – The IDShield Family Plan includes all the protections of IDShield Individual, extended to a spouse/domestic partner, and up to eight children. Plans include $2 million ID theft insurance policies. Credit report monitoring from one bureau costs $29.95 per month. Monitoring of all three bureaus costs $34.95 per month.
In sum, IDShield is unique for its $2,000,000 family ID protection insurance plans. They’re also unique for their 24/7 hotline to private investigators.
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