Identity theft has become a growing menace, with complaints doubling in the past year as fraudsters seize upon pandemic disruption. According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity fraud losses totaled $56 billion in 2021. As our personal and financial lives increasingly operate online, the need for comprehensive identity protection grows.
This guide will provide an overview of nine top identity theft solutions available and key criteria for evaluating them. With the proper safeguards in place, you can rest easier knowing your identity and data remains secure.
What is Online Identity Theft?
Your online identity comprises all personal and financial information tied to your name, including:
- Name, address, phone, email, SSN
- Bank account and credit card numbers
- Medical history and insurance data
- Driver’s license and passport numbers
- Usernames and passwords for online accounts
Identity theft occurs when a fraudster accesses these details without authorization to commit financial crimes or other fraud in your name. This may involve:
- Opening new credit cards or bank accounts
- Taking out loans or lines of credit
- Filing fraudulent tax returns for refunds
- Obtaining medical services and prescriptions
- Committing crimes while posing as you
The impacts can be devastating – destroyed credit scores, massive debts accrued in your name, denied loans and housing applications. Or worse, legal troubles for crimes you didn’t actually commit.
How Identity Thieves Get Your Information
Sophisticated identity thieves have countless strategies for procuring your data, including:
- Phishing – Fake calls or emails posing as legitimate companies to trick you into sharing login info or sensitive data
- Skimming – Stealing credit/debit card information via rigged card readers
- Data Breaches – Mass leaks of user data from corporations’ insecure servers
- Public Wi-Fi Snooping – Spying on info you transmit over unsecured networks in public spaces
- Social Engineering – Manipulating or tricking you to obtain your personal details and passcodes
- Dumpster Diving – Physically searching your discarded mail or documents for financial statements, IDs, etc.
With information readily available online and so many vulnerable access points, everyone faces risk from potential identity theft. The only reliable protection is a multilayered defense strategy.
9 Best Identity Theft Protection Services
Specialized identity protection services use advanced tools to proactively monitor your personal data, social and financial accounts for any misuse. Leading solutions offer a robust feature set:
- Dark web surveillance for stolen credentials
- Alerts for suspicious activity on accounts
- Real-time credit monitoring and reports
- Resolution support if identity theft confirmed
- Insurance covering losses from fraud
However, services vary widely in pricing models, specific capabilities offered, and effectiveness. Here are nine top-rated identity protection services to consider:
1. IdentityForce UltraSecure+Credit
IdentityForce offers comprehensive monitoring across personal, financial and credit data. Their UltraSecure+Credit plan provides:
- Tri-bureau credit file monitoring
- Dark web surveillance
- Email and credit card activity alerts
- Address change verification
- $1 million identity theft insurance
Unique features include Charles Schwab credit monitoring, sex offender registry checks, and bank account takeover alerts. Expect to pay $14.99 monthly for individuals or $24.99 monthly for families up to 10.
2. LifeLock Ultimate Plus
LifeLock is among the longest standing identity theft services, covering up to 10 family members. The Ultimate Plus plan offers:
- Tri-bureau credit and bank/credit card activity monitoring
- FICO credit score tracking
- Court record scanning for criminal identity theft
- Address change verification
- $1 million total service guarantee
Unique extras include bank account application and payday loan alerts, USPS address change verification, and WiFi network intruder alerts if hackers breach your router. Pricing is $24.99 monthly for an individual or $29.99 monthly for families.
3. PrivacyGuard Total Protection
Privacyguard has a strong reputation for dark web monitoring capabilities using AI and threat graphs. Their premium Total Protection product offers:
- Tri-bureau credit reports and scores
- Web and dark web surveillance
- Credit/debit card transaction monitoring
- Sex offender registry notifications
- Up to $1 million identity theft insurance
Expect to pay a slightly higher price for their premium service at $24.99 monthly for individuals or $34.99 monthly for families up to 10.
4. Identity Guard Total Protection
Identity Guard offers dynamic adjustability so users can tweak alerts and controls. Their premium tier includes:
- Tri-bureau credit monitoring
- Bank and credit account activity monitoring
- Web and dark web scanning
- Credit reports and scores
- Up to $1 million identity theft insurance
Unique features include credit card transaction insights, change of address verification, and scam vulnerable browser warnings. Expect pricing around $22.99 monthly for individuals or $35.99 for families up to 10 members.
5. McAfee Identity Theft Protection
The widely used antivirus software maker McAfee offers a competitive identity theft solution. Their premium family plan includes:
- Tri-bureau credit monitoring
- Web and dark web surveillance
- High risk transaction alerts
- Credit reports and scores
- $1 million identity theft insurance
Expect to pay roughly $19.99 monthly for individuals, or $29.99 monthly for families up to 10. Parents will also appreciate minor identity monitoring and family safety tools.
6. Intelius Identity Protect
Intelius combines identity protection with a premium people search database for deep background checks. Features include:
- Credit bureau reporting
- Court and arrest records monitoring
- Web and dark web surveillance
- Address change verification
- Medical ID theft monitoring
Pricing falls on the more expensive side at $27.95 monthly for an individual or $44.95 for a family up to five members. However, users gain access to comprehensive public records which many competitors don’t provide natively.
7. IDShield 3-Bureau
IDShield offers a streamlined identity protection solution focused primarily on credit and financial activity. Core features cover:
- Tri-bureau credit file monitoring
- Bank and credit account alerts
- Questionable websites surveillance
- Junk mail opt-out
- $1 million identity theft insurance
Unique extras include medical ID theft protection, child credit locks and mobile app tracking alerts. Individual pricing is $17.95 monthly or $33.95 monthly for families up to 10 members.
8. IdentityForce UltraSecure
IdentityForce UltraSecure provides extensive monitoring capabilities without the credit reports and scores, for a lower monthly fee. Protections include:
- High risk transactions monitoring
- Web and dark web surveillance
- Bank account number scanning
- Sex offender registry notifications
- $1 million identity theft insurance
Pricing averages around $8.99 monthly for individuals or $14.99 for families up to 10 – making it one of the most budget-friendly robust monitoring solutions.
9. Norton 360 with LifeLock Select
This integrated product bundles Norton antivirus software with LifeLock identity theft protections including:
- Bank account and credit card activity alerts
- High risk transactions monitoring
- Stolen funds reimbursement up to $25k
- Dark web monitoring powered by LifeLock”s database
Subscription pricing is $99.99 yearly covering PCs, Macs, smartphones, and tablets for up to 5 family members. While pricier for the identity protection element alone, the all-in-one cybersecurity and identity theft bundled solution may appeal to some customers.
Choosing the Best Identity Protection Provider
When comparing options, here are key evaluation criteria:
Monitoring Services
Comprehensive identity protection requires proactive monitoring across your personal, financial and credit profiles. Opt for services monitoring:
- Major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion)
- Web, financial accounts, and dark web networks
- Court, criminal, and sex offender databases
- Medical ID theft and insurance fraud
Alert Capabilities
Swift alerts of suspicious activity or potential fraud let you respond quickly to prevent major identity theft damages. Prioritize services with:
- Real-time notifications by mobile app, SMS, email
- High-risk transaction warnings
- Breach alerts if credentials detected on black markets
Remediation Support
If you suffer identity theft or account fraud, make sure your provider pledges resolution support. This assistance may involve:
- Filing police reports, court affidavits, FTC complaints
- Contacting creditors and financial institutions
- Coordinating with relevant government agencies
- Helping restore damaged credit reports
Look for U.S. based case managers that do the legwork for you.
Identity Theft Insurance
For added peace of mind, choose an identity theft company that offers insurance – typically $1 million coverage – to reimburse out-of-pocket theft losses or legal expenses.
Extra Privacy Tools
Supplementary capabilities like VPNs with banking-grade encryptions, password managers, and secure browsers further strengthen your privacy protections.
Cost
Monthly subscription fees often range $10-30 for individuals or $15-45 for families up to 10 members. Avoid free identity protection services with limited capabilities or those costing over $30 without providing proprietary monitoring technologies.
5 Tips for Securing Your Identity Online
While identity protection services provide essential monitoring and alerts, you should incorporate the following common-sense practices for optimal safety:
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on financial, email, and social media accounts for extra login security.
- Regularly check your credit report for errors or unknown accounts opened in your name. Annualcreditreport.com offers free annual credit reports from major bureaus.
- Use strong unique passwords at least 10-15 random characters for every online account, secured in a password manager app.
- Beware phishing scams via email, phone, text or fake websites requesting personal information.
- Manage privacy settings and limit personal data sharing on social media platforms.
Implementing identity monitoring software plus smart personal controls will help safeguard your online identity from compromise. Actively defending your good name mitigates needless headaches from identity crimes.
The Bottom Line
As cybercriminals grow increasingly sophisticated, no one can afford to be lax with identity protections. A comprehensive monitoring service that vigilantly scans for misuse of your personal and financial data across the web is essential insurance in the digital age.
Hopefully this overview has helped spotlight leading identity protection providers and key features to evaluate when choosing a service that fits your lifestyle and priorities. With the proper plan in place, you can browse, shop, and share online knowing your identity and accounts are secure.
