6 Best Identity Theft Protection Services of 2023

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• 650X Faster Fraud Alerts than Competitors*
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• 3-Bureau Credit Monitoring & Credit Lock Service
• Monthly Credit Score¹ & Annual Credit Reports

 

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• Up to $3 Million ID Theft Coverage*

• 401(k) & Investment Account Alerts¹
• 3-Bureau Credit & SSN Monitoring¹
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ID Theft Monitoring and Alerts + Daily Credit Reports

• Over 40 years of experience in the field
• $1 million identity theft insurance & recovery
• 3 bureau credit monitoring
• Bank and credit card activity alerts
• Advanced fraud monitoring
• VPN through mobile app
• Dedicated resolution specialist in the event of an identity theft incident

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Provides access to in-house licensed private investigators

• An individual plan costs $14.95 - $19.95 per month
• A family plan costs $29.95 - $34.95 per month
• Monthly 3-Bureau Credit Score Reports available on individual and family plans

 

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• $1M In Identity Theft Coverage*
• Remove Data From 120+ Data Brokers
• Alias Emails & Phone Numbers For Privacy
• Call Guard Blocks Scams & Spam Calls

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🔥 58% OFF Norton 360 Deluxe

• All-in-One Bundle: VPN, Antivirus & ID Theft Protection
• Parental Control‡, Password Manager, 50 GB Cloud Backup*
• Protect Up to 5 PCs, Macs, Tablets or Smartphones
• 60-day Money Back Guarantee

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• 420+ Data Broker Sites Covered
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• Real-Time Threat Alerts & Protection
• Up to $1 Million Identity Theft Recovery
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Part of the Surshark One package

• Protects against data leaks from emails, IDs and credit cards
• Works in conjunction with Surfshark's VPN, antivirus and private search engine
• Majority of positive feedback from customer reviews
• Costs as low as $3.19 a month

Identity theft and cyber theft are crimes that claim more and more victims each year. In 2021, the Identity Theft Research Center reports that 294 million Americans had their data compromised. Everyone, from children to seniors, is at risk for identity theft.

Being a victim of identity theft can disrupt your life in stressful ways. But there are services that may help ease your mind if your personal information is ever used to commit fraud. If you’re considering identity theft protection services, read on to discover whether one of the companies below might be a good fit.

Our Top Picks for Best Identity Theft Protection Services

• Best All-In-One Solution: Aura
• Best for Credit Monitoring: IdentityIQ
• Best Features: LifeLock
• Best Value: Identity Guard
• Best for Families: ReliaShield
• Best for Restoration: IDShield

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Best Identity Theft Protection Reviews

There are many identity theft protection services on the market. To find the best option for you, you’ll need to review the features that each service offers and the cost associated with those benefits.

In addition to the price, pay attention to services like credit monitoring, credit access, family coverage, and identity theft insurance. We kept these details and more in mind when we reviewed identity theft protection services, and we broke our top picks into six categories.

Best All-In-One Solution: Aura

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During our research, Aura emerged as the best all-in-one identity theft protection solution. The company’s robust membership offerings include some of the most attractive features available in the industry.

Aura offers credit monitoring services, credit report and score access, and Social Security number and bank account monitoring. The company also provides customers with premium features such as antivirus protection, VPNs, password management, and spam and robocall reduction. (Tip: A VPN or antivirus software is a great add on. The best VPN services and best antivirus software can cost up to $9.99 per month on their own.)

Aura doesn’t offer different membership tiers like most other identity theft protection companies. Every customer receives the same level of service. But the company does have three different membership options for individuals, couples, and families or groups.

Below is a look at Aura’s three different membership packages, and the cost and services associated with each.

Best for Credit Monitoring: IdentityIQ

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IdentityIQ is our choice for the identity theft protection service with the best credit monitoring. On top of identity theft insurance and other common features, the company offers two membership options with three-bureau credit monitoring. The most expensive option comes with a great benefit—monthly access to all three of your credit reports and scores.

The ability to check your credit report frequently and to receive a notification when there’s a change in it is incredibly valuable. These helpful tools make it easier to maintain a good credit score while detecting the signs of fraud that could result in harmful entries on your credit report.

IdentityIQ offers four membership options ranging from $8.99 to $32.99 per month. You can pay for membership on an annual basis, but there’s no discount for paying in advance.

Below is a side-by-side look at IdentityIQ’s four identity theft protection options.

Best Features: LifeLock

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Norton LifeLock gets the nod for the identity theft protection service with the best features. Membership plans not only offer $1 million in identity theft coverage, but they also include identity restoration, 24/7 live support, credit monitoring, data breach notifications, and more.

With LifeLock, you can get a discounted membership plan for the first year. The cost for service initially ranges from $6.99 to $23.99 per month. If you’re willing to pay on an annual basis, there’s an opportunity to save.

Here’s a closer look at the three different membership plans and some key features of each.

Best Value: Identity Guard

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It’s important to make sure that the cost of an identity theft protection service fits into your budget. If you’re looking for the most affordable option, Identity Guard’s basic plan at $7.50 per month (based on annual billing) is well worth considering.

Identity Guard has helped more than 47 million consumers protect their identities since 1996 and has resolved 140,000 cases of identity fraud during that 20-year span. The company also uses AI by IBM Watson to more effectively detect and alert you to potential threats.

Identity Guard offers three different levels of protection. Each level comes with a different price tag and varying benefits, as outlined below.

Best for Families: ReliaShield

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ReliaShield earns our pick for the best identity theft protection for families due to a combination of the affordability of its family plans and the level of protection they offer. As a parent, it’s important to protect not only your own personal information, but to safeguard your children from identity theft too. According to a recent study by Javelin Strategy & Research, one out of every 50 children is victimized by identity fraud.

Family protection plans with ReliaShield start at $14.99 per month. Individual plans are $7.99/mo. and up. Under family plans, all children in your household under the age of 18 enjoy free identity protection.

Like many other identity theft protection companies, ReliaShield offers three membership tiers. Below is a side-by-side comparison of each option, along with the costs and benefits you can expect.

Best for Restoration: IDShield

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IDShield is a company that provides identity theft protection services. One of its main features is identity restoration. The company offers an unlimited restoration guarantee, access to licensed private investigators, and real-time notifications on all plans. However, it is more expensive than other identity protection services, and it does not offer an annual plan.

One of the biggest advantages of IDShield is its identity restoration guarantee. The company is committed to restoring your identity to its pre-fraud status for an indefinite period of time, which is valuable for fraud events that require a specialist for longer periods. IDShield also offers access to licensed private investigators who can help victims of identity fraud. Additionally, the company offers real-time notifications on all plans, which allow you to respond promptly and safeguard your identity from cybercriminals.

However, IDShield’s pricing plans are on the higher end of the scale when compared to other identity protection services. Individual plans start from $15 per month, while family plans start from $30. This may not be ideal for customers who prioritize budget over features. Additionally, IDShield does not offer an annual plan, which means monthly payments are the only option.

IDShield offers two pricing tiers: individual and family plans. Both plans include SSN monitoring, identity threat alerts, dark web monitoring, social media monitoring, public records monitoring, lost wallet assistance, live member support, restoration verification, 24/7 emergency assistance, guaranteed identity theft restoration, dedicated licensed private investigators, identity theft consultation services, $1 million identity theft insurance, VPN protection, password manager, personal internet monitoring, and continuous credit monitoring. However, the credit monitoring option varies depending on the pricing tier chosen.

Other companies we considered

McAfee ID Protection

McAfee is a well-known cybersecurity brand that has expanded its services to offer identity theft protection. The company’s most notable features include malware protection, a VPN, and a password manager, all designed to keep users safe while online. McAfee’s extensive dark web monitoring is a standout feature, covering over 600,000 dark websites. Additionally, the family plan includes parental controls, making it a suitable choice for families with children. McAfee also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, providing users with a risk-free way to try the service.

However, McAfee’s cost is relatively high, and the company’s lack of credit-related services is disappointing. As a result, the company just barely misses out on our top list. Another drawback is that the only plans available are yearly, which can be inconvenient for those who prefer a more flexible payment option. Overall, while McAfee’s identity theft protection services offer robust features, potential customers may need to weigh the costs against the benefits to determine if the service is the right fit for them.

Zander Insurance

Zander Insurance offers an affordable identity theft protection service, with a starting plan of just $6.75 per month for individuals and $12.90 per month for families, making it one of the most cost-effective options available. The service also provides 24/7/365 customer and recovery services, which can be invaluable in the event of identity theft. The premium plan also includes computer security tools, offering added protection for users.

However, it is important to note that Zander Insurance’s low rates come with a trade-off. The service is stripped down to the basics and lacks credit monitoring services, which are essential features offered by many other identity theft protection plans. The lack of social media monitoring and mobile app alerts may also be a disadvantage for some users. Overall, if affordability is a top priority, Zander Insurance’s basic identity theft protection services may be a suitable option for those willing to forgo advanced features such as credit monitoring.

Experian Identityworks

Experian Identityworks is a reputable identity theft protection service backed by one of the largest credit bureaus in the world. The service offers affordable and robust plans, including a 30-day free trial, making it easy for consumers to try out the service before committing. One of the most noteworthy features of Identityworks is its 3-bureau credit monitoring and FICO® score alerts and simulator, providing users with a comprehensive overview of their credit status. The service also includes dark web monitoring, offering added protection against identity theft.

However, Experian Identityworks does have some limitations. The fraud insurance included with the base plan only covers up to $500,000, which may not be sufficient for some users. Additionally, the service has a shaky record of satisfaction with customer support, which may be a drawback for some customers. Despite these limitations, Experian Identityworks is still a strong option for those looking for affordable identity theft protection services with comprehensive credit monitoring features.

Identity Theft Protection Guide

The guide below details how an identity theft protection service could benefit you both in preventing the crime from occurring and in recovering from it if it does. You’ll also discover some of the limitations of identity theft protection and additional (or alternative) steps you can take on your own.

What is identity theft?

Identity theft is a type of crime in which an individual’s personal and financial information is stolen and used for fraudulent purposes. This can include stealing someone’s Social Security number, credit card number, bank account information, or other sensitive data. The thief may use the stolen information to open new credit card accounts, take out loans, or even file a tax return in the victim’s name.

In some cases, identity theft can go undetected for months or even years, causing significant financial damage and potentially ruining the victim’s credit history. Identity theft is a serious crime that can have long-lasting consequences, and it is important for individuals to take steps to protect themselves from this type of fraud.

How does identity theft protection work?

Identity theft protection services are designed to notify you when something goes wrong. They use advanced digital tools to detect when your personal identifying information shows up in places it doesn’t belong.

In general, identity theft protection cannot keep your information from being compromised. But it can inform you when a problem occurs so you can take immediate action to limit the damage. Many services also offer coverage and/or assistance to help you clean up the effects of identity theft if you become a victim.

Types of identity theft scams

Below are some of the most common identity theft scams that fraudsters may use to try to steal your personal information.

• Data Breaches: A data breach is the term that describes what happens when a criminal steals information from a company or organization’s database. When Equifax fell victim to a data breach, for example, the personal information of some 147 million U.S. consumers was exposed. In 2021, there were a record 1,862 data breaches in the United States.

• Account Takeover: This type of credit fraud happens when someone gains access to your account information, such as a credit card number, and uses it to make unauthorized purchases.

• True Name Credit Fraud: True name credit fraud occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it to impersonate you when applying for new credit.

• Tax-Related ID Theft: When a criminal uses your Social Security number to file fraudulent tax returns or to claim a refund or tax credit, it’s tax ID theft.

• Phishing Messages: Phishing messages are emails or texts designed to trick you into sharing sensitive information like logins, passwords, and more.

Types of identity theft protection services

An identity theft protection company will generally offer a suite of services aimed at protecting you in the event your personal information is compromised. Some of the most common identity theft protection services are as follows.

• Credit Monitoring: Many identity theft protection services offer a service that can alert you to credit report changes. The most effective type of credit monitoring package is one that watches for changes to your records in all three credit bureaus—Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.

• Credit Report and Score Access: If your identity theft protection service offers periodic credit report and/or score access (preferably with all three credit bureaus), it’s easy to keep a close eye on your credit information. New accounts, credit inquiries, and other credit report items that you don’t recognize could all be signs of identity theft. This benefit allows for a deeper review of your credit information where credit monitoring merely provides an alert.

• Insurance: Identity theft insurance comes standard with most identity theft protection plans, and could help you recover lost funds if someone uses your personal information to commit fraud. However, the amount of insurance available and the types of expenses it will cover can vary. For example, some identity theft insurance policies include coverage that could help reimburse you for stolen funds. Others only include coverage to pay for professional services such as attorney’s fees that you might incur when trying to recover from identity theft.

• Cybersecurity: Protecting your personal information online is more important than ever before. If you find an identity theft protection plan with online security features like social media monitoring, VPNs, password managers, and antivirus software, the added protection could be helpful.

How to choose an identity theft protection service

No single identity theft protection solution is perfect for everyone. Instead, focus on the features that matter most to you.

Want to keep a close eye on your own credit information? If so, search for a service that provides 3-bureau credit monitoring along with monthly credit report and score access. (Note: Anyone can access their credit reports for free once every 12 months at AnnualCreditReport.com.) For other people, making sure their children’s information is protected might be a high priority, so searching for a family plan might make sense.

Once you’ve found the services that offer the features you want, consider the cost. Make sure the price fits into your monthly budget, then hunt for the company that provides the best value.

How to report identity theft

The Federal Trade Commission provides an easy way to report identity theft. Visit IdentityTheft.gov to file a free identity theft report and create your personal recovery plan.

If a criminal has opened fraudulent credit accounts in your name, you should notify all three major credit bureaus. You can dispute the fraudulent accounts with a copy of your official identity theft report and the credit bureaus by law must suppress any fraudulent accounts from your credit file within four business days.

Note: the best credit repair companies may be able to manage this process for you if you prefer to outsource the task. But be aware that professional credit repair services charge for the work they do on your behalf.

How We Found the Best Identity Theft Protection

As we searched for the best identity theft protection services available, we focused on several key factors, including:

• Benefits: The best identity theft protection services feature benefits that work together to offer peace of mind and protect customers from many different angles.

• Fees: While different companies charge different fees, it’s important to make sure that the cost of services seems reasonable for the features it offers to customers.

During our research, we consulted several expert sources:

• Identity Theft Research Center
• Javelin Strategy Child Identity Fraud Study
• Federal Trade Commission
• Fair Credit Reporting Act

Summary of the Best Identity Theft Protection Services of 2023

• Best All-In-One Solution: Aura
• Best for Credit Monitoring: IdentityIQ
• Best Features: LifeLock
• Best Value: Identity Guard
• Best for Families: ReliaShield
• Best for Restoration: IDShield

Michelle Lambright Black

Michelle Lambright Black is a nationally recognized credit expert with two decades of experience. Founder of CreditWriter.com, Michelle's work has been published thousands of times by FICO, Experian, Forbes, Bankrate, MarketWatch, Parents, U.S. News & World Report, and many more.