Top 7 Best Identity Theft Protection Companies
Is identity theft protection worth it? Protecting your identity in today’s digital world is crucial. Having the best identity theft protection company monitoring your financial and online well-being can provide peace of mind and help secure what you’ve worked so hard to create—Namely, your financial and credit health.
Despite paying diligent attention to your credit scores or bank records, watching out for every threat is nearly impossible for an individual. Similar to using one of the best budgeting apps to keep complex spending in order, an identity theft protection plan keeps track of everything related to the safety of your identity—Even things you can’t see.
However, choosing the best identity theft protection company for your particular needs can be challenging. Numerous contenders for your trust exist, and while many appear quite similar at first glance, looking deeper reveals stark differences between providers.
To help you narrow your search and decide on a plan to keep your identity safe, we’ve examined the top companies in the industry and developed this review of the top six identity theft protection companies.
Deane Biermeier
Personal Finance Contributor
Simple plan pricing for individuals and families
- Credit Monitoring+Identity Theft Protection
- Up to $1,000,000 ID Theft Insurance
- Deceased Family Member Fraud Protection
- UNLIMITED Toll-Free Access to ID Theft Experts
- Table of Contents
1
Best Overall
- Best reputation; as one of the 3 major credit bureaus
- Monitor Credit+Protect Your Identity
- Easily Lock and Unlock
- Deceased family member fraud protection in all plans
- UNLIMITED access to ID theft experts
2
- Financial and credit monitoring protections
- Excellent customer service reviews
- 14-day free trial and a 60-day money-back guarantee are available
- VPN, virus protection, and online security tools are included in all plans
- Up to $5 million identity fraud insurance available in family plan
- Robust child identity protection and online safety tools
3
- $1 million ID theft insurance in every plan
- Lower-cost options than parent company Aura
- More plan choices than Aura
- Social media monitoring available in Ultra plan
- High average consumer ratings
4
- Lowest priced plan includes extensive features
- Secure Max plan includes family coverage
- Customers assigned a personal restoration manager if necessary
- LPOA identity restoration services are available
- All plans include some form of ID restoration services
- All plans include $1 million in identity theft insurance
5
- All plans include $1 million identity theft insurance
- 30-day trial period
- 3-bureau credit monitoring, scores, and alerts in UltraSecure+Credit
- Quarterly credit report availability
- Deceased family member protection
- Solid overall consumer ratings
- Pricing discount for annual payments
6
- A total of nine plans are available
- 30-day free trial
- A trusted name in identity and online identity protection
- 401K and investment protections available
- Stolen funds and wallet coverage in all plans
- Credit monitoring in all plans
7
- Simple plan pricing for individuals and families
- 30-day trial period
- Individual plans start below $10
- Deceased family member fraud protection in all plans
Allstate Identity Protection Details
Allstate Identity Protection offers three distinct identity theft protection plans with competitive pricing. All plans include basic protections and at least $1 million in ID theft insurance. The higher-tier plans include increased benefits and protections. You can convert each plan into a family plan that covers two adults and up to ten children for $17 additional per month.
We chose Allstate as the best overall identity protection provider for its simplicity and comprehensive coverages that provide adequate or better protections to the largest consumer groups.
Allstate Identity Protection Overview
- Plan options start under $10
- Simple plan pricing
- Family upgrade to any plan for an additional $17 monthly
- Coverage for 2 adults and 10 dependents in family plans
- Up to $1 million stolen fund reimbursement is available
- Up to $2 million stolen identity expenses protection available
- 401K and home title fraud protections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- ID theft remediation
- Social media and dark web monitoring
- Three-bureau credit monitoring in the highest-tier plan
- Local sex offender alerts
- All state identity protection app on iOS and Android
- Offers companies employee protection plans
Why We Chose Allstate Identity Protection
Allstate Identity Protection stands out by offering comprehensive coverages in a simple plan layout with competitive pricing. The company’s inclusion of identity theft protection for deceased family members is a unique and potentially valuable service.
Allstate Identity Protection Pros and Cons
Pros
- Simple plan pricing for individuals and families
- 30-day trial period
- Individual plans start below $10
- Deceased family member fraud protection in all plans
Cons
- 3-bureau only credit monitoring only available in the highest-priced plan
- Family digital safety features only available in Blue plan
- Online child protections are relatively weak compared to competitors
Best Identity Theft Protection for Seniors: Aura
While Aura is a competent provider of identity theft services for a wide range of consumers, we chose it as best for seniors due to the company’s focus on financial and online protection, where seniors may be most vulnerable.
The company offers comprehensive identity theft protection services throughout its lineup of three plans that cover individuals, couples, and families.
Aura Overview
- 3-bureau credit monitoring in all plans
- 401K and investment protections even on the dark web
- Up to $5 million in identity theft insurance is available
- Spam removal service
- Automobile and home title monitoring
- Child ID protections
- Family Protection plan includes protection for five adults
- Unlimited number of children protected in the family plan
- Criminal records monitoring is available in all plans
- Antivirus and VPN are available for ten devices per listed adult in the chosen plan
- Parental controls with game reports in the family plan
Why We Chose Aura
Aura identity theft protection offers solid coverage of all the most important identity theft vulnerabilities, except for social media monitoring. However, Aura provides excellent benefits in its other features, especially for seniors and others concerned mostly with financial and investment security.
Aura Pros and Cons
Pros
- Financial and credit monitoring protections
- Excellent customer service reviews
- 14-day free trial and a 60-day money-back guarantee are available
- VPN, virus protection, and online security tools are included in all plans
- Up to $5 million identity fraud insurance available in family plan
- Robust child identity protection and online safety tools
Cons
- Doesn’t offer social media monitoring
- Credit reports are only available annually
- Costs more than some competitors
Best for All-Around Protection: Identity Guard
Identity Guard is our pick for the best all-around identity theft protection. The company offers three plans ranging from budget-friendly to robust and comprehensive. While nothing in any of the plans is extraordinary regarding additional benefits, Identity Guard offers solid value for general protections at competitive prices.
Identity Guard Overview
- Competitive pricing with annual payment option discount
- Low-price plans available
- High overall consumer satisfaction ratings
- 3-bureau credit monitoring in top two plans
- $1 million ID theft insurance in all plans
- Data breach alerts in all plans
- Straightforward pricing for individuals and families
- Unlimited children coverages in all family plans
- No trial period available
- Child protections include SSN monitoring
- Credit card purchase monitoring includes debit cards
- Both criminal and sex offender monitoring included in Ultra plan
Why We Chose Identity Guard
Identity Guard does an excellent job of providing a solid level of ID theft protections without complicating things by adding unnecessary fluff and does so at affordable prices for the coverage consumers receive.
Identity Guard Pros and Cons
Pros
- $1 million ID theft insurance in every plan
- Lower-cost options than parent company Aura
- More plan choices than Aura
- Social media monitoring available in Ultra plan
- High average consumer ratings
Cons
- No money-back trial
- Most comprehensive features aren’t available in lowest-cost plans
- Fraud resolution assistance only available in the Ultra plan
Best for Restoring Your Identity: IdentityIQ
IdentityIQ offers a wide range of plans and prices starting at $6.99 per month for basic, individual identity theft protection and up to $29.99 monthly for comprehensive coverage for the entire family.
While all of the company’s plans offer up to $1 million in ID theft insurance and some restoration services, the Secure Max plan provides an assigned restoration manager with limited power of attorney to act on your behalf when repairing damage caused by identity theft.
IdentityIQ Overview
- $1 million stolen funds reimbursement in all plans
- $25K ID theft insurance in family Secure Max plan
- Lawyer and expert expense coverage in all plans
- Personal expense compensation
- SSN alerts in all plans
- Limited power of attorney restoration in top Secure Max plan
- 3-bureau credit reports and scores
- 3-bureau credit report monitoring in top two plans
- Credit score change alerts in top two plans
- Synthetic ID theft protection
Why We Chose IdentityIQ
IdentiyIQ offer well-rounded protections from basic to advanced with prices to match that are relatively budget-friendly. However, the company stands out on our list for its dedication to credit and identity restoration should you become a victim.
IdentityIQ Pros and Cons
Pros
- Lowest priced plan includes extensive features
- Secure Max plan includes family coverage
- Customers assigned a personal restoration manager if necessary
- LPOA identity restoration services are available
- All plans include some forms of ID restoration services
- All plans include $1 million in identity theft insurance
Cons
- Only 1-bureau credit monitoring in lowest-cost plan
- Credit score change alerts not available in lowest-cost plan
- Middle-tier plan only offers biannual credit reports
- Anti-virus and VPN are add-on costs
- Family plan only available in Secure Max plan
Best for Family Identity Protection: IdentityForce
IdentityForce rates as our pick for having the best family identity protection. While the company offers individuals premier ID theft protection services, it provides the same robust coverage for families for just a few more dollars per month.
IdentityForce offers two main plans, one with credit monitoring and one without. Its ChildWatch children’s identity theft protection coverages are available with an individual plan or as part of a family plan.
IdentityForce Overview
- ChildWatch available with any plan for $2.75 monthly
- $1 million identity theft insurance with any plan
- 30-day trial period
- Quarterly credit report availability
- Business and employee protection available
- Medical ID fraud protection available
- Family coverage available with either plan
- Family plans include two adults and unlimited children
- Must call for a price quote for family plans
- Deceased family member fraud protection
- Investment account alerts
Why We Chose IdentityForce
IdentityForce’s focus on protecting the family by offering comprehensive identity theft coverage for the entire household, including children, at a price not much higher than individual protection make the company our choice for best in family protection.
IdentityForce Pros and Cons
Pros
- All plans include $1 million identity theft insurance
- 30-day trial period
- 3-bureau credit monitoring, scores, and alerts in UltraSecure+Credit
- Quarterly credit report availability
- Deceased family member protection
- Solid overall consumer ratings
- Pricing discount for annual payments
Cons
- Credit monitoring only available in the higher-cost plan
- Must call for family pricing
- A low-cost plan isn’t available
Best Plan Options: Lifelock
LifeLock offers consumers a wide range of plans that provide comprehensive identity theft protection and insurance against compromised identities and the associated costs. While the company offers numerous plans for individuals, couples, and families with children, its plan prices are generally higher than average among its competitors.
The company’s ID theft protections include social security monitoring and stolen funds, identity restoration, and stolen wallet protection in every plan. LifeLock’s plans include at least $1 million in identity theft protection insurance per adult.
LifeLock Overview
- Up to nine individual and family plans are available
- 30-day free trial
- Home title protection is available
- Family plan options include 2 adults and up to 5 children
- Three-bureau credit monitoring and reporting available in Ultimate Plus plan
- SSN monitoring comes standard with every plan
- Credit file monitoring for children in each family plan
- Stolen funds and expense reimbursement in every plan
- Identity restoration and stolen wallet protection in every plan
- Promotional first-year pricing is available
Why We Chose LifeLock
Lifelock is out pick for providing consumers the most plan options to ensure they receive the coverages vital to them. By offering three distinct plan types in several configurations, you’re likely to find a plan to meet your needs, whether for an individual, family, or family with children.
LifeLock Pros and Cons
Pros
- A total of nine plans are available
- 30-day free trial
- A trusted name in identity and online identity protection
- 401K and investment protections available
- Stolen funds and wallet coverage in all plans
- Credit monitoring in all plans
Cons
- VPN only available as an add-on
- Prices increase after the first year
- Plan more expensive than many competitors
- Social media monitoring is unavailable
- Three-bureau credit monitoring only in Ultimate Plus plans
How Identity Theft Protection Companies Work
An identity theft protection company monitors your personally identifiable information (PII). Your PII is all of the personal information about you that records your existence and distinguishes you from everyone else as far as legal identity is concerned. Your social security number, birthday, banking and credit account numbers, full and former names, and addresses are all examples of your PII.
When you hire an identity theft protection company to protect your identity, the company uses your PII and other information you provide to monitor credit bureaus, banking and credit accounts, court records, computer equipment, and any other accounts that may contain information about you. When the company identifies an anomaly, suspicious activity, or something that needs your attention, it sends you an alert.
The alerts you receive often allow you to confirm the action or stop it from going forward. If the service fails to detect an identity thief and you suffer losses, most identity theft protection companies provide insurance to help cover costs and assistance in dealing with the problem.
How to Protect Yourself From Identity Theft
Identity thieves come in all shapes and sizes and look for any angle to access your PII and use it without your knowledge. The main rule for protecting your identity is constant vigilance by you or an ID theft protection company.
Protecting yourself from identity theft requires a three-pronged approach: Keep your information private and secure, always know who you’re giving it to, and monitor all your accounts for unexpected changes.
Additionally, you can limit your exposure online by using strong passwords and changing them frequently. Using a VPN or other online protection tool is also highly recommended.
How to Choose an Identity Theft Protection Company
Choosing an identity theft company that fits your needs is a matter of matching the services you need with your budget and comfort level. Following are a few traits to look for and decisions you’ll need to make to find the one that fits you best.
- Your ID theft company should offer substantial identity theft insurance.
- Decide if you need full or partial identity protection.
- Determine the assets and accounts that are most vulnerable to attacks.
- Look for a company with strong online protections.
- If you need family coverage, ensure your plan provides child identity protection.
- Ensure the plan you choose fits your budget.
- If you’re uncertain, opt for a company with a generous trial period.
Do I Need Identity Theft Protection?
While identity theft protection is a highly valuable service, not everyone needs to pay for a detailed coverage plan. You may get by with minimal ID theft protection or be able to DIY it if you don’t have several accounts to protect or have few financial assets.
However, if you’ve been a victim of ID theft in the past, have children who are frequently online, are elderly or otherwise vulnerable, or have large account assets, having an identity theft protection plan is important for keeping your identity from being stolen or stolen again.
How We Chose the Best Identity Theft Protection Company
To determine our picks for the best identity theft protection companies, we evaluated several of the most popular competitors in the industry, ranked them according to the metrics below, and chose the best one in each of our categories.
- Identity theft and other insurance coverages
- Strength of banking and credit account monitoring
- Details of the alert systems used
- Strength of online protection
- Availability of free credit monitoring
- Low and high plan prices
- Family plan inclusions
- Strength of child protections
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the very best identity theft protection?
While our choice for the best overall identity theft protection company is Allstate Identity Protection, the very best ID theft company is the one that meets your needs best. We put together this review to help you identify potential candidate companies based on the protection you’re seeking.
Is it worth it to pay for identity theft protection?
It’s possible to perform some of the functions of an identity theft protection company yourself. However, identity protection services can reach vulnerable areas you may not be able to access, such as the dark web. ID theft protection companies also keep watch 24/7. If you have accounts and assets that could be exploitable targets, paying for identity protection is usually your most secure option.
What should you do if your identity is stolen?
If you become the victim of identity theft, there are a number of actions to take as soon as possible to limit the damage and start repairs.
- Freeze your credit reports
- Contact your insurance company
- Contact law enforcement and file a report
- Contact your identity theft protection company if applicable
- Reset your passwords and use two-factor authentication
- Contact banks and creditors to get and provide information
Do banks cover identity theft?
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