Best Identity Theft Protection In 2024: IDShield vs LifeLock vs Identity Guard® vs IdentityForce & More

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We put our identities at risk with each online profile we create, every service we sign up for, and all the smart gadgets we buy. Technology is evolving, and as it does, our personal information becomes more vulnerable. Protecting your identity isn’t an option—it’s a must. We bring you our expert reviews of the top identity theft protection services.

WinnerRunner UpThird Place
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Criteria For Identity Theft Protection

The best way to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft is to stop it before it starts by proactively having a service monitor it for you. ID theft protection services not only alert you when something suspicious happens, but several will also help you recover if your identity is stolen, including reimbursement for any losses.

Before jumping into the company reviews, here are some essential details we considered in conducting our reviews. We chose the best identity theft protection based on the following six criteria:

1. Monitoring Coverage

What Is Credit Monitoring?

We look for identity theft protection companies that offer various credit and identity monitoring services. Credit monitoring services scan for activity made to your credit report or credit score.

4 Instances In Which A Credit Monitoring Service Will Alert You

  1. Your credit limit changes
  2. Your personal information changes (name, address, phone number, etc.)
  3. A new loan or credit account showing on your credit reports
  4. A debt collector saying your payment is late

What Is Identity Monitoring?

Companies offering identity monitoring services check databases and websites for signs of your personal information—such as your Social Security Number, driver’s license number, bank account numbers, and medical ID.

7 Instances In Which A Identity Monitoring Service Will Alert You

  1. Payday loan applications
  2. Check cashing requests
  3. Social media
  4. The Dark Web
  5. A change of address request
  6. Orders for new utility services
  7. Court or arrest records

2. Recovery Service

In the event of identity theft, a recovery service will help you repair damages to your identity and credit records. They may contact creditors and debt collectors, place a freeze on your credit report, and guide you through any other necessary steps for recovery.

3. Identity Theft Insurance

Identity theft insurance covers out-of-pocket expenses associated with reclaiming your identity, legal fees, and lost wages. While identity theft insurance may not reimburse you for the money you lost, it prevents you from losing additional money during recovery.

4. Family/Child Protection

Buying multiple individual plans can get expensive, so we check for family plan offering child identity theft protection. Companies may offer parental controls, including mobile device management, screen time limits, content blocking and filtering, and internet usage tracking.

5. Customer Service & Reputation

Customer service is directly linked to a company’s reputation. We scoured the internet for reviews on each company and checked for Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation.

6. Pricing

The identity theft protection services we reviewed range from about $6 to $35 monthly. Pricing varies based on services offered and number of people covered.

Best Identity Theft Protection

While you can take steps to prevent identity theft without paying for a protection service, these services ensure speedy discovery and recovery from identity theft.

Winner: IDShield Review

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IDShield, a LegalShield product, offers one of the most comprehensive identity theft monitoring and resolution services for individuals and families of up to 10 people. Where most identity theft companies provide only select monitoring services based on your plan’s tier, all IDShield plans have the same features. Services include usual protections—SSN monitoring, public records monitoring, medical data reports, lost/stolen wallet assistance, and identity threat alerts—as well as “top-tier” services such as social media account monitoring, data breach notifications, and continuous credit monitoring.

IDShield’s restoration services are unsurpassed in the industry. The company uses licensed private investigators, who do all the legwork for you to restore your name, and it’s backed by $1 million insurance to prevent additional damage to your finances and reputation.

5 Key Benefits

  1. Identity monitoring, credit monitoring, and social media monitoring
  2. Extra services such as sex offender monitoring, minor child monitoring, and identity insights and tips are included with all plans
  3. Identity recovery assistance with unlimited consultations and 24/7 emergency assistance
  4. Licensed investigators for identity theft restoration
  5. Offers virtual private network (VPN) protection, password management, data encryption, and other additional protections for cybersecurity and device protection
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Our Personal Experience With ID Shield

I used IDShield for a period of time. I was happy with how affordable it was to monitor my entire family’s credentials. During the same time, my husband had a free year of another ID protection service, and he would get sex offender alerts more timely than I would with IDShield. While I used IDShield, I would have to reconnect my social media accounts frequently, which was frustrating. Otherwise, it did a great job monitoring my financial information and other personal details.

Kimberly Alt, ID Shield Customer & Safe Smart Living Editor
Pros Cons
3-Bureau credit monitoringNo free trial
Dark web monitoring
Family plans available (up to 10 people)
Offers $1 million insurance
Licensed private investigators for identity restoration
Free mobile app
The parent company is A+ BBB rated
24/7 emergency support

Pricing

IDShield gives you a choice between one or three credit bureau monitoring. Most credit report changes should appear at all bureaus, so this is a good money-saving option.

Individual Plan$14.95/month (1 bureau); $19.95/month (3 bureaus)
Family Plan$29.95/month (1 bureau); $34.95/month (3 bureaus)

In-Depth Review Of ID Shield

Read our complete review of ID Shield to find out all about this service and its features, pros, cons, consumer reviews, reader discounts, and more.

Runner-Up: IdentityForce Review

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IdentityForce—our runner-up for the best identity theft protection provider—offers two robust tiers of identity protection. The standard plan offers all the identity monitoring services you would expect, including SSN tracking, bank and credit card activity alerts, change of address monitoring, and identity threat alerts. IdentityForce’s basic plan includes premium and unique features like social media monitoring, junk mail opt-out, and online protection tools (anti-phishing, anti-keylogging, etc.).

The higher-tier plan, called UltraSecure+ Credit, features three-bureau credit monitoring, credit reports and scores, and a credit simulator that helps you see how financial decisions may affect your credit score. It also includes other additional features. Standouts include a Dark Web data analysis to determine your risk of having your data compromised; access to a secure VPN; and stolen funds replacement, where you have coverage up to $1 million for money stolen due to identity theft.

IdentityForce also offers a family plan with ChildWatch, focusing on child ID protection. Family plans include two adults and unlimited children. Smaller families can add child identity theft protection for $2.75 monthly per child to any plan.

5 Key Benefits

  1. Identity monitoring and social media monitoring for basic plans. Credit monitoring from all three bureaus with premium plans.
  2. Includes PC protection tools to prevent phishing attacks and stop malware
  3. Two-factor authentication used a sign-in
  4. Investment account alerts and financial advice with UltraSecure+Credit plan
  5. Identity theft insurance and identity restoration support with all plans. Offers stolen fund replacement up to $1 million (UltraSecure+Credit only)
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Our Personal Experience With Identity Force

When I lost my wallet including my ID, Identity Force was quick to help me out with putting a security check on my Identity that way if anyone tried to apply for a credit card, the credit company must call my cell phone to verify via voice before approving. They also helped cover the cost of a replacement wallet and ID. 

Sadie Cornelius, Identity Force Customer & Safe Smart Living Editor
ProsCons
3-Bureau credit monitoringMust upgrade plan for credit report/score monitoring
Dark web monitoringMore expensive than some plans
Family plan availableInformation on UltraSecure plan is hard to locate
$1 million insurance protection
Fully managed recovery support
Mobile app
A+ BBB rating
24/7 phone support and live chat and email from 8am-8pm, plus FAQs
30-Day Free Trial

Pricing

You can test out IdentityForce by signing up for its 14-day free trial.

UltraSecure$17.99/month or $179.90/year
Discount for our Readers: $14.99/month or $149.90/year
UltraSecure+Credit Individual$23.99/month or $239.90/year
Discount for our Readers: $19.99/month or $199.90/year
UltraSecure+Credit Family$35.90/month or $359.00/year

In-Depth Review Of IdentityForce

Read our complete review of Identity Force to find out all about this service and its features, pros, cons, consumer reviews, reader discounts, and more.

3rd Place: Identity Guard® Review

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Identity Guard® uses IBM Watson artificial intelligence to constantly scan your data for compromise, allowing the company to alert you quickly, which should allow you to minimize damages. If your identity is stolen, Identity Guard® will help pay to recover it no matter how it happened (even if it wasn’t the service’s fault). And when you call in, you will be assigned a dedicated case manager so you are speaking with the same person every time so you don’t have to re-explain your issue repeatedly.

Identity Guard® offers three different plans with varying features and price points. All plans include basic identity protection and online security features, such as Dark Web monitoring, data breach notifications, and $1 million identity theft insurance. The mid-tier plan adds credit protection, with three-bureau credit monitoring and a monthly credit score from Equifax. The premium plan adds more identity protection support and includes a three-bureau annual credit report and Experian credit lock.

5 Key Benefits

  1. Identity monitoring for all plans. Credit monitoring from all three bureaus with Total and Ultra plans
  2. Use Watson AI constant scan technology to protect your data
  3. Up to $1 million stolen funds reimbursement
  4. Premium identity protection includes 401K and investment monitoring; criminal and sex offense monitoring; address change and home title monitoring; and credit and debit card monitoring.
  5. All plans include safe browsing tools and a password manager
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ProsCons
3-Bureau credit monitoringThey don’t send fraud alerts to credit bureaus
Dark web monitoringDoes not monitor sex offenders
Family plans available (5 adults, unlimited kids)No free trial
$1 million in identity theft insurance
Powered by AI
Budget-friendly options
A+ BBB rating (been BBB accredited since 1996)
24/7 phone support for those who have lost or had their credit cards stolen

Pricing

Value (individual)$8.99/month
Total (individual)$19.99/month
Ultra (individual)$29.99/month
Value (family)$14.99/month
Total (family)$29.99/month
Ultra (family)$39.99/month

All plans offer 40 percent off for choosing an annual contract.

In-Depth Review Of Identity Guard®

Read our complete review of Identity Guard® to find out all about this service and its features, pros, cons, consumer reviews, reader discounts, and more.

Comparison Table

All companies below monitor SSNs and address changes and offer recovery assistance.

 1st: IDShield2nd: Identity Force3rd: Identity Guard®AuraComplete IDEquifax
Experian IdentityWorksID WatchdogLifelockPrivacy GuardReliaShieldZander
Lowest Price/Month$14.95$23.99$5.39$12$8.99$16.95$9.99$14.95$8.99$9.99$7.99$6.75
Family PlanGreen checkmark Green checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmark Option to add-on childGreen checkmarkGreen checkmark Option to add-on child Green checkmark Green checkmarkGreen checkmark
Free Trial 14 Days 14 Days  7 Days  30 Days$1 for 14 Days  
Monitors Bank AccountsGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmark Green checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmark
Monitors Credit CardsGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmark Green checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmark
Monitors LoansGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmark Green checkmarkGreen checkmark Green checkmarkGreen checkmark
Monitors Insurance Green checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkMust Request  
Monitors Medical RecordsGreen checkmarkGreen checkmark Green checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmark Must Request Green checkmark
Monitors Driver’s LicenseGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkMust RequestGreen checkmarkGreen checkmark
Monitors Public RecordsGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmark Green checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmark 
Monitors Criminal RecordsGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmark  Green checkmarkGreen checkmark Green checkmark 
Monitors Sex OffendersGreen checkmarkGreen checkmark Green checkmarkGreen checkmark Green checkmark  Green checkmark Green checkmark 
Monitors EmailGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmark     Green checkmark
Fully Managed Restoration ServiceGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmark  Green checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmark
Lost/Stolen Wallet AssistanceGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmark  Green checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmark
ID Theft Insurance$1 Million$1 Million$1 Million$5 Million$1 Million$1 Million$1 Million$1 Million $3 Million $1 Million$1 Million$1 Million
Credit Reports/ScoresAll 3 BureausAll 3 BureausAll 3 BureausAll 3 BureausAll 3 BureausAll 3 BureausAll 3 BureausAll 3 BureausAll 3 BureausAll 3 BureausAll 3 Bureaus 
 1st: IDShield2nd: Identity Force3rd: Identity Guard®AuraComplete IDEquifax
ID Patrol
Experian IdentityWorksID WatchdogLifelockPrivacy GuardReliaShieldZander

10 More Companies Reviewed (A – Z)

Here are the companies that didn’t make our top 3 this year. As you’ll note, in a few cases, our research revealed the services to be so unreliable that we recommend you steer clear of them.

Aura | Complete ID | Equifax Complete Premier | Experian Identity Works | ID Watchdog | LifeLock | Privacy GuardReliaShieldZander

Aura Review

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Despite being a newer name in the industry, Aura has established itself as a juggernaut in identity theft protection by offering a wide range of services at reasonable prices. All plans include antivirus, VPN, safe browsing, and a password manager, which adds additional value. Aura’s family plans include various protections for children, including cyberbullying alerts for safe gaming. Aura also tops the charts for identity theft insurance, with $5 million ID insurance for family plans.

Benefits Include:

  1. Identity protection services: SSS and personal information monitoring, home and auto title monitoring, criminal and court records monitoring, identity verification monitoring, bank fraud monitoring, investment account monitoring, and account breach alerts
  2. Credit monitoring services: three-bureau credit monitoring, credit lock, monthly credit score, and annual credit reports
  3. Online and device security: antivirus, VPN, vault file storage, safe browsing to prevent phishing and other scams, password manager, privacy assistant, email alias, and spam call and message protection
  4. Family protection: parental controls, safe gaming with alerts, fraud alerts sharing, child SSN monitoring, child three-bureau credit freeze, and sex offender geo-alerts
  5. 60-day money-back guarantee on annual plans
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ProsCons
3-Bureau credit monitoringSubpar android app
Dark web monitoringData may be used by Five Eyes intelligence agencies
Family plans available
Up to $5 million identity theft insurance
“White glove” fraud resolution
Mobile app
14-day free trial
A+ BBB rating and accredited
24/7/365 customer support

Pricing

Individual$12/month
Couple$22/month
Family (5 adults, unlimited kids)$37/month

Complete ID Review

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Complete ID is an Experian identity theft protection service sold through Costco. It offers basic monitoring services—including identity and credit—and $1 million identity theft insurance. All plans offer the same services, covering single individuals to families with up to five children.

Benefits Include:

  1. Identity protection services: SSN monitoring, sex offender monitoring, alternative loan monitoring, criminal record monitoring, and mail change alerts
  2. Credit monitoring services: three-bureau credit monitoring and annual report, monthly Vantagescore® credit update, credit alerts, and Experian credit lock
  3. Restoration services, including a designated restoration specialist and $1 million ID Theft Insurance
  4. Lost Wallet Replacement Assistance (Learn what to do if you lose your wallet)
  5. Digital privacy support (secure VPN, password manager, and safe browser apps for desktop and mobile)

Unfortunately, we’ve found too many complaints about customers not being able to access their system or reach anyone in customer service to recommend them at this time.

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ProsCons
3-Bureau credit monitoringMust be a Costco member
Dark web monitoringMany consumer complaints about poor or non-existent customer support
Child add-on planNot BBB accredited
$1 million identity theft insurance
Detects the use of personal information to apply for a line of credit, utilities, cell phone plans, etc.
Mobile app
24/7 customer support

Pricing

One Adult$8.99/month (executive members)
$13.99/month (business and gold star members)
One Adult + Children (up to 5 children)$11.98 (executive members)
$17.98/month (business and gold star members)
Two Adults$15.99/month (executive members)
$25.99/month (business and gold star members)
Two Adults + Children (up to 5 children)$18.99/month (executive members)
$29.99/month (business and gold star members)

In-Depth Review Of Complete ID

Read our complete review of Complete ID to find out all about this service and its features, pros, cons, consumer reviews, reader discounts, and more.

Equifax Complete Premier Review

Equifax ID Patrol

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Equifax offers three plans for credit monitoring and identity protection. All tiers include three-bureau credit file monitoring, basic identity protection monitoring, fraud alerts, lost wallet assistance, identity theft insurance, and stolen funds replacement up to $1 million. The mid-tier and premium-tier plans add annual three-bureau credit scores, Vantagescore® credit score updates, and identity restoration.

Benefits Include:

  1. Identity protection services: SSN monitoring, credit card and bank monitoring, and medical ID monitoring
  2. Credit monitoring services: three-bureau credit monitoring and annual report, monthly Vantagescore® (Equifax Complete plans), credit alerts, and Experian credit lock
  3. Alert when someone attempts to access a locked credit report
  4. Stolen funds replacement for all plans
  5. Family plan featuring credit monitoring, SSN monitoring, ID restoration, and up to $1 million ID theft insurance
ProsCons
3-Bureau credit monitoringPoor customer service reputation
Dark web monitoringLimited recovery services
Family Plan that includes up to 2 adults and 4 childrenSome customers have been charged after they cancel
$1 million identity theft insurance with all plansDoesn’t monitor public records
Monitors your social security number, credit cards, bank accounts, and medical ID numbersOnly get 3-bureau credit scores and reports once a year

Pricing

ID Patrol (individual)$16.95/month
Complete Premiere (individual)$19.95/month
Complete Family Plan (2 adults, 4 children)$29.95/month

In-Depth Review Of Equifax

Read our complete review of Equifax to find out all about this service and its features, pros, cons, consumer reviews, reader discounts, and more.

Experian IdentityWorks Review

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Experian is one of the three main credit bureaus, and its IdentityWorks product offers a solid set of identity theft monitoring features and excellent credit monitoring. Its family plans cover up to 10 children, making it a cost-effective option for large families. If you need ID theft recovery assistance, you get a dedicated fraud specialist, but it doesn’t do all the work for you like some other companies.

Benefits Include:

  1. Free plan available with Experian credit monitoring and alerts, as well as a dark web surveillance report and personal privacy scan
  2. Identity protection services: SSN monitoring, loan application monitoring, change of address alerts, social media monitoring, sex offender registry alerts, court record monitoring, and identity validation alerts
  3. Credit monitoring services: three-bureau credit monitoring and alerts, three-bureau credit reports, and quarterly FICO® scores. Daily Experian FICO® scores and Experial CreditLock with alerts
  4. Restoration services include fraud resolution support, up to $1 million identity theft insurance, and lost wallet assistance
  5. Family plan includes one additional adult and up to 10 children
experian app screenshot jpg
ProsCons
3-Bureau credit monitoring and reportingDoes not monitor your driver’s license or email
Dark web monitoringMust upgrade plans for 3-bureau credit scores, bank account and credit card coverage
$1 million in identity theft insuranceDoesn’t offer fully managed recovery support
Excellent credit monitoringNot BBB accredited (but consumer rating of A-)
Family plans available for up to 10 people
24/7 phone support for those who have lost or had their credit cards stolen
7-day free trial

Pricing

BasicFree
Premium$24.99/month
Family (2 adults and up to 10 children)$34.99/month

Experian IdentityWorks offers a 7-day free trial.

ID Watchdog Review

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ID Watchdog offers relatively basic monitoring services for identity theft protection. Its strength lies in its resolution services, which get top consumer reviews. It has a 100% resolution guarantee and also provides identity theft insurance. You can also add child protection to an adult plan.

Benefits Include:

  1. Introductory plan features Dark Web monitoring for SSN, credit card, bank account, email address, driver’s license, and more. Also included is one-bureau credit monitoring and fully-managed identity resolution
  2. Premium plan includes extra financial, social media, and credit support monitoring, as well as a secure VPN, safe browsing, and a password manager.
  3. All plans include up to $1 million in identity theft insurance
  4. 401K/HSA stolen funds reimbursement with ID Watchdog Premium
  5. Customizable alert options let you choose between phone, email, text, or mobile app notifications. Family plans can also share alerts with other adult plan members
id watchdog app screenshot jpg
ProsCons
3-Bureau credit reports and scores with premium planDoesn’t monitor credit card or banking transactions
Dark web monitoringNo lost wallet assistance
Family plan availableMust pay extra for credit reports/scores and monitoring from all 3 bureaus
$1 million ID theft insurance
100% Identity Theft Resolution guarantee with fully managed recovery support
Mobile app
24/7/365 email and phone support
A+ BBB rating

Pricing

Select (individual)$14.95/month or $150/year
Premium (individual)$21.95/month or $220/year
Select (family)$23.95/month or $240/year
Premium (family)$34.95/month or $350/year

LifeLock Review

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Owned by computer security company Norton, LifeLock is best known for its combination of identity theft protection and device protection. LifeLock offers several different plans for you to choose from, but to get the same coverage you’ll get from IdentityForce and Identity Guard®, you’ll end up paying more. LifeLock is the only company on our list to offer up to $3 million in coverage, including $1 million each for reimbursements, expense compensation, and lawyers and experts.

Benefits Include:

  1. Identity and social security alerts for all plans
  2. One-bureau credit monitoring with Standard and Advantage plans; three-bureau credit monitoring with Ultimate Plus plan
  3. Device protections include a VPN, password manager, antivirus, and more
  4. Extra services with the top-tier plan: credit reports and scores, investment account monitoring, home title monitoring, and social media monitoring
  5. Stolen funds reimbursement up to $1 million
lifelock app screenshot jpg

Our Personal Experience With LifeLock

I’ve had Lifelock since before they were acquired by Norton. They’ve consistently added new, useful features (such as a payday loan lock the last time I logged in – preventing these accounts from being opened in your name). The couple occasions where I’ve had to call into for support, they were helpful (although the issue I had with a fraudulent account being opened in my name (AT&T wireless) I ended up resolving myself due to delays between calls). 

I love that I get dark web alerts (when my personal information is used to open accounts or if a login I have is compromised) so I can take swift action. It’s easy to manage my credit files and lock/freeze them, and I’m able to monitor my credit cards, emails, addresses, etc. for fraudulent activity.

Alex Schenker, Editor, Safe Smart Living
ProsCons
3-Bureau credit monitoring (Ultimate Plus plan) Delay on notifications for credit reports
Dark web monitoringDoes not monitor email
Various family plansDoes not monitor all transactions at all businesses
Up to $3 million in coverageMust upgrade plans for bank account coverage and credit report/score monitoring
A- BBB rating
30-day free trial
24/7 support monitors websites to make sure your credentials are not for sale
Offers more coverage than some other competitors

Pricing

Standard (individual)$8.99/month for first year (renews at $11.99/month)
$89.99/year (renews at $124.99/year)
Advantage (individual)$17.99/month for first year (renews at $22.99/month)
$179.88/year (renews at $239.99/year)
Ultimate Plus (individual)$23.99/month for first year (renews at $34.99/month)
$239.88/year (renews at $339.99)
Standard Family (2 adults)$14.99/month for first year (renews at $23.99/month)
$149.87/year (renews at $249.99/year)
Advantage Family (2 adults)$28.99/month for first year (renews at $45.99/month)
$287.88/year (renews at $479.99/year)
Standard For Family with Kids (2 adults + 5 kids)$21.99/month for first year (renews at $35.99/month)
$221.87/year (renews at $359.99/year)
Advantage For Family with Kids (2 adults + 5 kids)$35.99/month for first year (renews at $57.99/month
$359.88/year (renews at $579.99/year)
Ultimate Plus For Family with Kids (2 adults + 5 kids)$46.99/month for first year (renews at $79.99/month)
$467.88/year (renews at $799.99/year)

In-Depth Review Of LifeLock

Read our complete review of LifeLock to find out all about this service and its features, pros, cons, consumer reviews, reader discounts, and more.

PrivacyGuard Review

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PrivacyGuard offers three different identity theft protection plans. Its highest plan, for $24.99/month, has a decent combination of credit and identity monitoring, although its credit monitoring is more robust. It also offers identity theft insurance and dedicated resolution services; however, all the reports of poor customer service and billing problems give us pause in recommending this company.

Benefits Include:

  1. Identity protection services: SSN monitoring; driver’s license and passport monitoring; bank account monitoring; USPS address change verification; email, phone, name, and DOB monitoring; and public records monitoring
  2. Credit monitoring services: 24/7 three-bureau credit monitoring, monthly credit score tracking, monthly three-bureau credit reports and scores, and credit information hotline
  3. All plans include secure browsing and a dedicated ID fraud resolution agent
  4. Total Protection includes public records monitoring, children’s social security number monitoring, neighborhood reports, and emergency travel assistance
privacy guard app screenshot jpg
ProsCons
3-Bureau credit monitoringNo family or child plan
Dark web monitoringNo social media monitoring
$1 million ID theft insurance Not BBB accredited
Fully managed recovery support w/ 24-hour hotline
Try it for 14 days for $1
Mobile app
FAQs, email, and phone support

Pricing

Identity Protection$9.99/month
Credit Protection$19.99/month
Total Protection$24.99/month

PrivacyGuard gives you a 14-day trial for $1.

ReliaShield Review

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ReliaShield’s identity theft protection service boasts monitoring for nearly everything our top winners cover, a fully-managed restoration service with a dedicated ID theft specialist, and $1 million insurance for stolen funds and reimbursement. And their cost is among the lowest you can find. To reduce costs, ReliaShield does not provide credit reports; however, it reminds customers to check free credit reports.

Benefits Include:

  1. Identity protection services: All plans include SSN monitoring, change of address monitoring, court records monitoring, and data breach updates. Higher-tier plans include social media monitoring, loan monitoring, neighborhood predator monitoring, and more
  2. Credit monitoring services: three-bureau credit monitoring and monthly credit score tracking
  3. Unlimited restoration services
  4. Wallet Protection terminates and re-orders wallet contents when wallet is lost or stolen
  5. Family plans include free coverage for all children under 18 years old
reliashield app screenshot jpg
ProsCons
3-Bureau credit monitoringDoesn’t monitor medical records
Dark web monitoringDoesn’t include internet security software
Very affordable individual and family plans Very little customer feedback online
Offers a $1 million stolen funds and reimbursement protection
Fully managed recovery support with a dedicated specialist
A+ BBB rating and accredited
24/7/365 emergency support

Pricing

Essential (individual)$7.99/month
Prime (individual)$14.99/month
Elite (individual)$21.99/month
Essential (family)$14.99/month
Prime (family)$24.99/month
Elite (family)$24.99/month

Zander Review

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Zander Insurance provides excellent full recovery services with certified specialists and a total of $1 million in insurance for a fraction of what you pay for other companies. It also monitors your basic personal information, including bank accounts and credit cards. Zander falls short in other features, namely, no credit bureau or personal/criminal monitoring. If you’re mainly concerned about assistance after a fraudulent event, it comes highly recommended by many consumers.

Benefits Include:

  1. Monitors driver’s license, SSN, medical insurance ID, change of address, bank accounts, and credit cards
  2. Full recovery services, including $1 million reimbursement & stolen funds insurance for individual plans and $2 million for family plans
  3. Lost or stolen wallet assistance
  4. Endorsed by personal finance guide Dave Ramsey
zander app screenshot jpg
ProsCons
Dark web monitoringNo social media monitoring
Offers $1 million stolen funds protectionDoesn’t monitor credit bureaus or provide credit scores
Monitors your driver’s license, bank accounts, credit cards, email and moreDoesn’t monitor public or criminal records
Sends fraud alerts to your smartphone and emailNo sex offender search
Provides fully managed restoration services with certified ID theft specialistsLimited mobile app
Offers a family plan
24/7/365 customer support
A+ BBB rated and accredited

Pricing

Individual Essential Plan$6.75/month; $75/year
Individual Elite Cyber Bundle$9.99/month; $110/year
Family Plan$12.90/month; $145/year
Family Essential Plan$12.90/month; $145/year
Family Cyber Bundle$19.49/month; $215/year

More Ways To Protect Yourself

If there’s one thing you take from this article, we hope it’s that you realize the threat of identity theft is serious. It’s not an easy mess to clean up, and taking proactive steps to monitor you and your family’s identities is the best way to protect yourselves.

See our comprehensive guide on identity theft to learn more about ID theft statistics, credit monitoring, and other ways to safeguard your identity. For more tips to help you get protected online, read our guide on cybercrime prevention.

Identity Guard® Disclosures
*The score you receive with Identity Guard is provided for educational purposes to help you understand your credit. It is calculated using the information contained in your TransUnion credit file. Lenders use many different credit scoring systems, and the score you receive with Identity Guard is not the same score used by lenders to evaluate your credit.
**Identity Theft Insurance underwritten by insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group‚ Inc. The description herein is a summary and intended for informational purposes only and does not include all terms‚ conditions and exclusions of the policies described. Please refer to the actual policies for terms‚ conditions‚ and exclusions of coverage. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions.
***Your card will be charged either a monthly or annual fee, depending on the membership plan you choose. You may cancel your membership anytime simply by contacting us. If you do not cancel your membership within the trial period, your card will be charged either a monthly or annual fee, depending on the membership plan you choose. You may cancel your membership anytime simply by contacting us.

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The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease; it is not intended to offer any legal opinion or advice or a substitute for professional safety advice or professional care. Please consult your health care provider, attorney, or product manual for professional advice. Products and services reviewed are provided by third parties; we are not responsible in any way for them, nor do we guarantee their functionality, utility, safety, or reliability. Our content is for educational purposes only.

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