The best identity theft protection and credit monitoring services of 2023

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Every 22 seconds, there is a case of identity theft, with 5.7 million cases reported to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in recent years.

If you are unlucky enough to become the victim of identity theft, this opens the door to financial fraud, potential account compromise -- not only banking, but online services -- and the frustration of talking to your service providers, freezing cards, and, in the worst cases, the fight to reclaim your cash.

What makes it worse is that in many cases, identity theft is completely out of your hands and control, as third-party security incidents and breaches cause them. It's enough to make anyone feel anxious, but there are services to help.

The right credit monitoring and identity theft protection service can put in place safeguards to help protect you and your credit. You can monitor various personal information points, including your name, SSN, linked financial accounts, addresses, credit agreements, and more. Reputable services will alert you when there are changes, your credit report alters, or new activities using your identity are detected -- such as loan applications or insurance sign-ups.

Aura is ZDNET's top pick since it offers fantastic features for the whole family. It is one of the most affordable services on our list, with some of the highest ratings, further adding peace of mind.

Here are some of the best identity theft protection and monitoring services currently available, which include free, freemium, and paid services.

The best identity theft protection and credit monitoring services of 2023

Pros

Monitoring for all three credit bureaus Antivirus tools Investment tracking

Cons

Monthly subscriptions are higher than annual billing

Aura offers rapid fraud alerts to help you act sooner rather than later if there is a threat. Alerts are sent directly to your phone via user-friendly mobile apps so there are no delays -- giving you the chance to react almost immediately. The app also secures your passwords, tracks spending, and offers easy access to your credit report.

There are preemptive measures, too, like online security and a secure VPN, with extra features set to block harmful malware and phishing websites that can risk your identity and steal your information.

If something is wrong and suspicious activity is detected, you can quickly freeze your credit and contact Aura's team, who will help you resolve and recover from fraud incidents. Up to $5 million is on offer regarding identity theft insurance.

Aura offers a 60-day money-back guarantee and is currently available at up to 68% off. Subscriptions start at $9 monthly for an individual account with $1 million of identity theft insurance. If you are a couple, plans are set at $17/month with up to $2 million in identity theft insurance ($1 million per person).

Charges rise to $25 for a family plan, which includes additional features such as 'Safe gaming' and online predator alerts, as well as protection for up to five adults and unlimited kids. Up to $5 million in identity theft insurance is on offer ($1 million/adult).

The above prices are based on annual billing. If you choose to pay monthly, charges are slightly higher: $12/month for an individual plan, $20/month for a couple, and $30 for a family subscription.

Also: What is my credit score? Why it exists and why you need to build it

Pros

U.S.-based identity restoration specialists Multiple alert options Fraud reimbursement

Cons

Must agree to annual plans for the best deals

Lifelock by Norton takes things one step further by offering fully-faceted services, like social media monitoring and home title monitoring, in addition to identity restoration services from U.S.-based specialists with up to $3 million in insurance coverage -- including legal fees, personal expenses, and stolen fund reimbursement.

The process is simple. Once you sign up, Lifelock will begin scanning your information for threats. If one is found, there are several different forms of alerts, whether it is by phone, text, email, or a mobile app.

The identity restoration specialists step in when there is a problem, helping to facilitate your reimbursement up to your plan's limits.

Plans begin at $7.50 per month for LifeLock Standard ($11.99/month if paid monthly). The top-tier plans, LifeLock Advantage and Ultimate Plus, are available for $14.99/month and $19.99/month, respectively, if you pay upfront for a years' worth of access.

Pros

Full-faceted identity monitoring Social media monitoring Business accounts available

Cons

Low Google Play ratings Customers report app issues

As a TransUnion brand, IdentityForce offers reliability as a trusted name in security and credit monitoring. Its services are threefold: Advanced fraud monitoring, 3-bureau credit report monitoring, and support from identity restoration experts.

IdentityForce will keep an eye on your identity. The company will alert you to changes in your credit report, activity relating to your social security number, bank and investment account activity, payday loan applications, and more.

You even get protection for your mobile device with Mobile Attack Control, a feature that protects your phone from various threats and will deliver alerts if compromised. You will receive real-time alerts and there are multiple security features including two-factor authentication (2FA), Touch ID, and advanced detection technology.

If you need support at any time, 24/7 U.S.-based support is available to help -- and this includes handling cases of identity theft. Insurance is available at up to $1 million.

Plans start at $19.95 per month for an individual standard UltraSecure plan, which is available as a 30-day trial. Family UltraSecure plans are priced at $24/month, and account holders can add unlimited children under 18 years of age.

However, if you want creditor monitoring too, you'll want to go for UltraSecure+Credit, available for $30/month on an individual basis or $36/month on family plans.

Also: The best VPN services (and whether it's worth trying free VPNs)

Pros

Identity theft protection services included Family plans available

Cons

Limited credit reporting tools Users report the latest Android app is problematic

Identity Guard features: Android, iOS compatibility | Fraud monitoring and alerts for identity, SSNs, tax, and more | Up to $1 million identity theft insurance | Individual and family plans

Identity Guard pinpoints threats and delivers identity protection alerts to keep you informed and in control at all times. If a new account opens in your name or is changed at some point, you will receive notifications to confirm that they were correctly made -- or challenge them if you suspect fraud.

It also tracks your credit card numbers, bank account numbers, SSNs, and health insurance numbers to ensure all are free from fraud, mistakes, and crime.

Credit reports are available and the company provides up to $1 million in identity theft insurance to customers.

There is 24/7 support based in the U.S. if customers encounter issues or have any concerns.

While some users report issues with the Android app, the price point makes it an affordable solution, with plans starting at only $6.67 monthly. At the time of writing, Identity Guard's premium Ultra plan is available for a discount of 40%, at only $17.99 per month. Family plans are also available.

Pros

Free basic credit report Credit boosts

Cons

A learning curve Expensive

Experian's offerings for credit score management and security checks are worth considering if you want a solution that monitors your data and allows you to repair your credit score at the same time.

If you're willing to go through your report, request changes, and accept the credit monitoring agency's recommendations, you can improve your credit score over time. Experian also provides alerts for new or suspicious activity, ranging from the use of your identity to loan & court filing alerts.

The company conducts ID theft monitoring, privacy scans, checks for adults and children, Dark Web surveillance, and identity theft insurance.

Experian's free credit freeze service is extremely useful if you believe you are a victim of identity theft or financial fraud, as you can stop any further damage until the case has been investigated.

You can sign up for a basic, free account to monitor your credit and FICO score. Premium plans with advanced features start at $25 per month, and family plans are available for $35 per month.

Aura offers fantastic features for the whole family, making it our pick for the best identity theft and credit monitoring service. It is one of the most affordable of all the services on our list, with some of the highest ratings, further adding peace of mind.

To help with your decision, here is a quick overview of the best identity theft and credit monitoring services available today.

Best identity theft protection and credit monitoring services	Cost	App Store rating	Google Play rating
Aura	Start at $9/month	4.6	4.5
IdentityForce	Start at $19.95/month	3	2.5
Identity Guard	Start at $6.67/month	4.2	2.2
Experian	Free with premium plans starting at $25/month	4.8	4.7
Norton LifeLock	Start at $7.50/month	4.3	4.7

The best identity theft protection and credit monitoring service depends on your circumstances -- but in any case, is now critical, considering how often data breaches occur and how much information about all of us is now circulating online.

After a while, all services can begin to blend together and feel the same. To help you decide, these are our expert recommendations for the best identity theft and credit monitoring service for your family.

Choose this identity theft and monitoring service...	If you want...
Aura	Features for the whole family. Aura is a one-stop shop for identity theft protection and monitoring and should be your top choice if you need protection for yourself and others online.
IdentityForce	Comprehensive protection from a trusted brand. While the IdentityForce app needs improvement, the array of security and monitoring features is still appealing.
Identity Guard	Coverage that works for multiple devices at an affordable price point. Identity Guard supports millions of customers and does so at an affordable rate if you are potentially willing to compromise on app quality.
Experian	Security and credit score repairs. Experian is best suited to those who want identity theft monitoring but also want to start improving or repairing their credit score.
LifeLock	Guided restoration service and hands-off protection. LifeLock's active monitoring will suit someone who wants to remain protected but may also prefer a phone call or text rather than mobile app alerts.

When choosing the best credit monitoring and identity theft services, there are a number of factors we considered, including:

Insurance: Identity theft insurance is an invaluable asset if you become a victim of identity theft. Most plans offer up to $1 million in coverage, which can vary from company to company. That is why it is important to review your plan in advance so you can be sure you have the right amount of protection. Credit bureaus: Most identity theft and credit monitoring services will offer credit monitoring via three or more bureaus, further helping to ensure that you do not miss anything that may arise. It may require an upgrade in the plan, but it is well worth it if you find yourself dealing with identity fraud. Plans: With most services, you can choose between multiple plans. These come at different price points, but the selection helps ensure you can find the right plan with the coverage you need.Free options: Considering how prevalent data breaches are, many credit agencies offer free options to keep an eye on your credit records, credit score, and may flag up suspicious activity.Price: Accordingly, the cost of each plan is a consideration, as many people are on a budget and seeking an affordable solution to their identity theft and credit monitoring needs. Mobile apps: When you receive an email stating your score has changed, it's useful to be able to check your report through your mobile. Many providers now offer this service.

In addition to tracking your credit, an identity theft service helps to protect your identity and finances by regularly tracking both. This is especially important in a time when data breaches are so frequent.

It can also provide insurance so you can be compensated, according to your plan's coverage level (usually up to $1 million), if you are a victim of identity theft.

Yes, and no. In many ways they are arbitrary figures assigned to you to determine credit 'worthiness' and whether you would be considered a financial risk for loans, such as mortgages or vehicle financing. Agency scores tend to differ, but unless you reach a 'Good' range, you might find it difficult to secure credit in the future.

For a comprehensive guide on what credit scores mean, check out our guide below.

See: What is my credit score? Why it exists and why you need to build it

There are several ways you can protect your identity online. Be sure to review both your bank and credit card accounts to ensure there is no fraudulent activity regularly. Experts also recommend securing personal information, using antivirus software, regularly updating programs and software, and changing your passwords frequently.

Also: How to delete yourself from internet search results and hide your identity online

Our top recommendations are not the only identity theft and credit monitoring services available. Far from it -- there is a wealth of services out there that can help you protect your identity and reduce the risk of becoming a victim of fraud. Here are some of the other services you could also consider:

Best alternative for personal or business use

ID Watchdog

ID Watchdog is an Equifax service for businesses and families that also monitors for tax, child, and medical ID theft.

Best alternative for coverage from all three bureaus

myFICO

myFICO's plans, while expensive (starting at $19.95/month), offer 3-bureau coverage, credit reports, and credit monitoring.

Best alternative for monitoring and ID restoration

IDShield

IDShield will alert you to changes and threats, and will also help you restore your records if you've become the victim of ID theft. Plans begin at $14.45/month for individual protection.

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