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ARTICLE ADEvery 22 seconds, there is a case of identity theft, with 5.7 million cases of identity theft and fraud 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, a 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 is enough to stoke fear in one's heart, 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.
There is always the myFICO app, but there are other apps that can offer excellent features at a reasonable price.
Here are some of the best identity theft protection and monitoring services I recommend for 2023, which include free, freemium, and paid services.
Also: The best antivirus software
Pros
Monitoring for all three credit bureaus Antivirus tools Investment trackingCons
Requires monthly subscriptionFeatures: Android, iOS compatibility | AI functionality | Monitors online accounts, passwords, SSN, and identities online | White Glove fraud recovery team | Free trial
Aura shares that it has up to 4x faster fraud alerts than other services helping 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 measures to block harmful malware and phishing websites that can harm 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 White Glove team, who will help you resolve and recover from fraud incidents.
Aura offers a free trial. Subscriptions start at $9 per month for an individual to $25 for a family plan.
Also: What is my credit score? Why it exists and why you need to build it
Pros
Full-faceted identity monitoring Social media monitoring Business accounts availableCons
Low Google Play ratings Customers report app issuesFeatures: Android, iOS compatibility | Identity monitoring | Business plans | Mobile alerts | Protect keystrokes, PIN numbers
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 a variety of threats and will deliver alerts if compromised. You will receive alerts delivered in real-time, plus enjoy 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.
Also: The best VPN services (and whether it's worth trying free VPNs)
Pros
Identity theft protection services included Family plans availableCons
Limited credit reporting tools Users report the latest Android app is problematicFeatures: Android, iOS compatibility | Fraud monitoring and alerts for identity, SSNs, tax, and more | $1 million identity theft insurance
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 so you can 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 newest versions of the Identity Guard, the price point makes it an affordable solution, with plans starting at only $5.39 per month.
Pros
Free basic credit report Credit boostsCons
A learning curve ExpensiveFeatures: Credit report, security monitoring | Free credit freezes | Dark Web scans | Individual and family plans | Credit report boosts
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 provides alerts for new or suspicious activity, ranging from the use of your identity to loan & court filing alerts. The company also conducts ID theft monitoring, privacy scans, checks for adults and children, Dark Web surveillance, and identity theft insurance.
The company also offers a free credit freeze service if you believe you are a victim of identity theft or financial fraud.
Pros
U.S.-based identity restoration specialists Multiple alert options Fraud reimbursementCons
Paid membership required Must upgrade to an annual plan for the best dealsFeatures: Android, iOS compatible | Alerts issued via text, phone, email, and more | Online scans | Identity restoration
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.
Aura offers fantastic features for the whole family, making it my 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 when choosing Aura.
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 (monthly) | App Store rating | Google Play rating |
Aura | $9 | 4.6 | 4.4 |
IdentityForce | $20 - $36 | 3.1 | 2.5 |
Identity Guard | $5.39 - $17.99 | 4.1 | 2.2 |
Experian | $free - $35 | 4.7 | 4.8 |
LifeLock | $7.50 - $24 | 4.6 | 4.6 |
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 best 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. |
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 | A 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 I considered, including:
Insurance: Identity theft insurance is an invaluable asset if you become a victim of identity theft. Most plans offer $1 million in coverage, but that number 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 to ensure that 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.In addition to tracking your credit, an identity theft service helps to protect your identity and finances by regularly tracking both. 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.
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
My 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 you becoming a victim of fraud. Here are some of the other services you could also consider:
Best price
ID Watchdog - For personal or business use
ID Watchdog is an Equifax service for businesses and families that also monitors for tax, child, and medical ID theft.
Best price
IDShield - Monitoring and ID restoration
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.
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