The Best Identity Theft Protection Services

Tuesday, October 8th

2024 Identity Theft Protection Service Reviews

Identity Guard

• $6 to $19.99 per month for 1 person
• $10 to $31.99 per month for a family plan
• $1 million in insurance per person
• Credit tracking
• Bank, home, and auto tracking
• Criminal tracking
• Antivirus protection
• VPN
• Email aliases
• Smart Vault encryption
• Top-rated mobile apps
• Parent company has "A+” rating and accreditation from the BBB

Identity Guard combines an extensive track record of safeguarding identities with cutting-edge technology, offering comprehensive protection against identity theft and rapid resolution in the unfortunate event of fraud. You might even recognize Identity Guard's parent company as one of the other top-rated services in this review: Aura. Identity Guard's use of IBM Watson's artificial intelligence means that this service detects threats swiftly and proactively, ensuring your identity remains secure. Notably, they've assisted in resolving more than 140,000 cases of identity fraud.

$1 million in insurance support

Insurance is key for your security, and Identity Guard doesn't disappoint. All Identity Guard plans come with an impressive $1 million insurance coverage for identity restoration services, including reimbursement for stolen funds. So, even if the worst should happen, Identity Guard has your back with their tech and their money.

Tons of features for families and singles

On top of solid protection, Identity Guard also has an impressive array of security features. Besides its easy-to-use online identity dashboard and mobile app, the company provides tons of features in its plans. The best part? These features are available as both family and single-person plans, so you can be sure everyone in your circle is safe. Some of these include:

• Dark Web monitoring
• Data breach notifications
• High-risk transaction monitoring
• Safe browsing tool
• Criminal/sex offender tracking
• Home and title monitoring
• Investment monitoring
• Experian credit lock
• Up to three-bureau credit monitoring
• White glove resolution assistance
• Social media insights reporting
• Extensive monitoring of various accounts and records
• Password manager
• Junk mail blocker

Identity Guard lives up to its parent company's reputation

Identity Guard operates under Aura, another top-rated provider of identity theft services. They hold an "A+" rating and accreditation from the BBB, showcasing their reputation as a trustworthy source of identity protection. Customer reviews consistently award Identity Guard an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars across different verified third-party review sites. Customers repeatedly leave reviews saying how much less stressed they are since working with Identity Guard, and that their customer service when things do go wrong is top-notch.

Excellent prices for you or your whole family

Identity Guard offers three distinct service tiers, catering to both individuals and families. These tiers include different features depending on which one you choose. It's important to note that all the family plans include 5 adults and an unlimited number of kids, so you're really getting a great deal with Identity Guard no matter how many family members you're worried about. The pricing shakes out as follows:

• Value: At the introductory level, you receive protection for your financial, personal, and social identity.
• Dark Web monitoring
• Data breach notifications
• High-risk transaction monitoring
• Safe browsing tools
• Password manager
• Single-person cost: $6.67 per month (annual) or $7.20 per month (monthly)
• Family cost: $10 per month (annual) or $11.99 per month (monthly)
• Total: Positioned as the standard identity and credit protection package, the Total tier includes all Value plan features, along with:
• Bank account monitoring
• 3-bureau credit monitoring
• Single person cost: $13.33 per month (annual) or $15.99 per month (monthly)
• Family cost: $19.99 per month (annual) or $23.99 per month (monthly)
• Ultra: For premium identity and credit protection, the Ultra plan offers comprehensive coverage. It encompasses all services in the Total package, adding:
• White glove resolution concierge assistance
• Social media insights reporting
• Credit and debit card monitoring
• Investment monitoring
• Home title monitoring
• Criminal and sex offense monitoring
• USPS address change monitoring
• 3-bureau annual credit report
• Experian credit lock
• Single person cost: $19.99 per month (annual) or $23.99 per month (monthly)
• Family cost: $26.67 per month (annual) or $31.99 per month (monthly)

Flexible plans take the #1 spot

If you're concerned about safeguarding your identity in an increasingly digital world, Identity Guard offers an affordable and reliable solution. Their proactive approach to prevention and swift response to fraud incidents make them a top choice. With flexible coverage options, you won't pay for more protection than you need. Identity Guard takes the #1 for their flexible payment periods and tiered plans for identity theft protection.

Aura

• $12 per month for 1 person
• $22 per month for 2 people
• $37 per month for a family plan
• $1 million in insurance per person
• Credit tracking
• Bank, home, and auto tracking
• Antivirus protection
• VPN
• Email aliases
• Smart Vault encryption
• Top-rated mobile apps
• "A+” rating and accreditation from the BBB

Founded in 2014, Aura is a sleek, modern, easy-to-use service to protect yourself and your identity. Aura presents an attractive security package at a reasonable price point.

Identity theft protection tools

Beyond its robust identity theft protection features, which encompass monitoring all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), Aura offers a suite of online tools designed to prevent hackers and cybercriminals from accessing your personal information. With Aura getting signed up is simple. You just need to select from one of their three plan options and sign in. No hassle or mess - just one click and some quick info and you're safe and sound.

$1 million in insurance protection

One of the biggest things to look for with companies that protect your identity is how they make sure you stay safe and covered even if the worst happens. In the unfortunate event that you fall victim to identity theft, Aura's services include $1 million in insurance coverage per person. This applies to every tier of their services: whether you get the cheapest or most expensive, you're covered by their insurance and "White Glove Fraud Resolution” which offers expert guidance in the process of identity restoration and asset recovery.

Security feature bundle at amazing prices

Aura has a lot of features depending on which protection tier you choose. The company offers a multifaceted approach to safeguarding your digital presence with tools like:

• Antivirus protection that shields against spyware, malware, Trojan horses, and other online threats
• Password manager that fortifies your defenses against data breaches
• VPN that ensures your online activity remains private and secure, even when connected to public Wi-Fi networks
• Email aliases to mitigate spam
• Smart Vault for securing sensitive files and information behind military-grade encryption.

Remarkably, all of these features are bundled at a price that is often comparable to standalone VPN services.

Cost-effective protection for the whole family

Aura extends its identity protection plans to individuals, couples, and families, and according to our research, their already reasonable prices have gone down recently.

• The individual plan, priced at $12 per month (billed annually) or $15 per month (billed monthly), offers Aura's comprehensive security suite on up to 10 devices. This plan encompasses credit report monitoring, alerts for suspicious activities, and the option to lock your credit file, preventing unauthorized inquiries or fraudulent credit applications. It also monitors your bank accounts, home and auto titles, criminal records, and court activities. Should you require assistance, Aura offers 24/7 customer support based in the United States.
• For couples, Aura offers a plan priced at $22 per month (billed annually) or $29 per month (billed monthly), extending the same protection to two individuals. This plan accommodates 20 devices and increases insurance protection to $2 million.
• For families, Aura has a plan for $37 per month (billed annually) or $50 per month (billed monthly). This comprehensive package extends the same protection offered to five adults while supporting 50 devices and providing $5 million in insurance coverage. Additionally, it includes monitoring of your children's Social Security numbers and offers child safety features like parental controls, content blocking, and screen-time limits. The family plan also incorporates a Safe Gaming feature for Windows devices, which alerts you to potential online threats, including cyberbullying and predatory activities.

Includes top-rated mobile app

Aura's user experience is both intuitive and user-friendly. Their Android and iPhone apps are easily downloadable, and the web interface simplifies the sign-up process. Both at the Google Play store and the Apple App Store, Aura has a solid 5-star rating from reviewers, which shows it is a standout service for user-friendliness and safety. The web, Apple, and Android interfaces maintain a clean, functional aesthetic with a predominant blue-and-white color scheme. Customization options enable users to track a variety of information, such as birth certificates, driver's license numbers, email addresses, and Social Security numbers. Any alerts generated by the service are displayed clearly.

White-glove treatment from Aura

On top of rave reviews from mobile app users, Aura has received high praise from verified third-party review sites as well as the Better Business Bureau. At the BBB, Aura holds the highest "A+” rating and is accredited as well. From sites like Trustpilot, Aura has 93% positive comments and tons of 5-star ratings across the board. Customers loved the employees at Aura. Review after review praised the helpfulness of the staff and the way that they made the somewhat scary process of getting an alert much less stressful for customers. The "white glove” treatment Aura promises is being delivered, according to reviewers.

Top-notch customer service

The bottom line? Aura's identity theft protection service ticks all the boxes when it comes to features, value, and user experience. It offers three distinct plans, each catering to different household needs. The only notable omission is social media monitoring, but otherwise, Aura is a solid choice for most households seeking comprehensive online security. With insurance for each member of each plan, customers know that Aura has their back even if something goes wrong. Plus, with Aura's white-glove treatment showing that they'll always put customers first, it's no surprise that Aura is one of the top-rated services to protect you from identity theft online today.

Zander Insurance

• $6.75 to $9.99 per month for individuals
• $12.90 to $19.49 per month for families
• From $1 million to $2 million in insurance
• Credit tracking
• Home title fraud
• Unlimited recovery services
• Change of address monitoring
• VPN
• Antivirus
• Experian CreditLock
• Account takeover monitoring
• Lost wallet protection
• "A+” rating and accreditation from the BBB

If you're looking for proven expertise and simplicity, Zander Insurance boasts nearly a century of experience, making it one of the standout options in identity theft protection. The company has been endorsed by financial guru Dave Ramsey, and Zander Insurance has been a trusted agency for nearly a century.

More than just identity theft protection

However, it isn't just designed for identity theft. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Zander Insurance offers a wide range of insurance services, covering areas such as term life, long-term disability, and, of course, identity theft protection. With extensive representation from carriers, they provide competitive pricing and quality programs to their clients.

Insurance options up to $1 million

As an insurance broker, making sure you're protected is Zander Insurance's first priority. There are two kinds of insurance offered by Zander to protect you financially in the case of a stolen identity:

• Identity Theft Stolen Funds and Expense Reimbursement Benefits: Zander Insurance provides coverage of up to $1,000,000 for eligible expenses. These include lost wages, legal costs (up to $125 per hour), document notarization, filing fees, and similar expenditures.
• Unauthorized Electronic Fund Transfer/Cash Recovery Reimbursement: This category offers an impressive benefit of up to $1,000,000. If you fall victim to theft, forgery, embezzlement, or fraud via electronic fund transfer, you have the potential to recover up to a million dollars.

Solid features with impressive transparency

Zander Insurance's coverage for identity theft spans two essential categories:

• Monitoring Services: Zander Identity Theft Solutions diligently monitors your personal information across the Dark Web, swiftly detecting any instances of your data being traded online. Additionally, it keeps a vigilant eye on USPS Change of Address requests, ensuring your mail is safeguarded. The service also watches for any associations between your Social Security number and different names and addresses.
• Identity Theft Restoration Benefits: In the unfortunate event of identity theft, Zander's Recovery Advocates are available around the clock, year-round. Their services encompass lost wallet protection, notifications sent to the three major credit bureaus, requests for fraud alerts, and more.

Some omissions

While Zander Insurance's identity theft protection excels in many areas, it does have some notable omissions. These include the absence of credit bureau monitoring, meaning you won't receive notifications of changes to your credit report or credit card/bank account activity monitoring, though they have a long segment of their site dedicated to explaining how you can get access to your credit report for free: they don't charge for or offer those services, which shows an impressive amount of transparency.

Effortless plan selection

Choosing the right plan with Zander Insurance is refreshingly straightforward. You won't find yourself lost in a sea of options. You just need to make two choices: individual coverage vs. family coverage and "essential” vs. "elite cyber bundle”. Either way, the coverage is extremely affordable considering all the features you get. The prices are extremely reasonable for both plans, which is refreshing in a market of high costs for online protection.

Individual

• Essential: $6.75 per month or $75 per year
• All ID theft types
• Home title fraud
• Unlimited recovery services
• $1 million insured
• Dark web monitoring
• Data breach updates
• Lost wallet service
• 24/7 customer and recovery services
• Elite Cyber Bundle: $9.99 per month or $110 per year
• All features of essential
• Social Security number monitoring
• Change of address monitoring
• VPN
• Antivirus
• Experian CreditLock
• Account takeover monitoring
• New account monitoring

Family

• Essential: $12.90 per month or $145 per year
• Same as individual
• Protection for 2 adults
• All children covered free
• Adult dependent benefits
• Up to $2 million insured
• Elite Cyber Bundle: $19.49 per month or $215 per year
• Same as individual + essential
• Up to 20 devices protected

Top BBB scores but no buzz from reviewers

In terms of reputation, Zander Insurance carries an "A+" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, reinforcing its trustworthiness and commitment to customer satisfaction. However, on the other hand, the customer reviews for Zander Insurance are few and far between. At third-party review sites, there are only a handful of verified reviews available to browse. For example, at Trustpilot, there is just a single review for Zander Insurance. Though the average star rating for Zander Insurance is 3.5 stars out of 5, there just isn't enough feedback to get a clear read on how customers feel after using Zander.

Solid choice for affordability

Zander Insurance's identity theft service excels in affordability. It offers generous coverage at a remarkably low cost. If you view it as insurance that provides comprehensive assistance in the event of identity theft, you'll find that Zander Insurance offers one of the most budget-friendly plans available. While Zander Insurance may not have the most robust review reputation, it stands out as an exceptionally affordable option for post-incident recovery. For this reason, we highly suggest you check it out as your next service for identity theft protection.

ID Shield

• $14.95 to $19.95 per month for 1 person
• $29.95 to $34.95 per month for a family
• Credit tracking
• Child and dark web tracking
• Antivirus protection
• VPN
• Well-rated mobile apps
• "A” rating from the BBB

ID Shield, an identity theft protection service, operates under the umbrella of Legal Shield, a legal services company with nearly 50 years of experience. Legal Shield has garnered the coveted accreditation and an "A" rating from the Better Business Bureau, reinforcing its status as a reliable provider of identity theft protection services.

High level of trust

This long-standing reputation offers customers a strong sense of trust and dependability. With a clean, modern website, getting started at ID Shield is simple, giving customers peace of mind in just a few clicks. There are just two plans to choose from, showing that ID Shield is working to provide comprehensive protection without over-complicating the process.

Insurance policy is unclear

One thing we struggled to find at ID Shield was a specific note about how much they offer in terms of insurance. Most companies in this review offer a minimum of $1 million for protection in case something does go wrong while you're being protected. However, we couldn't find any mention of insurance in our research. This is a bit concerning, considering the high stakes of identity theft and information recovery, so you might want to keep an eye out for a company with more insurance transparency.

Tons of features and budget-friendly options

ID Shield's approach to choosing the right plan for you couldn't be more straightforward. You're faced with just two essential questions: Are you seeking protection for an individual or an entire family, and do you prefer monitoring/reporting from a single credit bureau or all three? Notably, ID Shield provides an informative breakdown of the distinctions between 1-bureau and 3-bureau monitoring. While all three credit reports eventually reflect changes and issues, 1-bureau monitoring stands out as the more budget-friendly option, whereas 3-bureau monitoring offers swifter fraud detection. On top of that, both ID Shield plans share identical coverage features which include:

• Dark Web surveillance
• Monitoring of bank accounts and payday loans
• Social Security number tracking
• Unlimited identity restoration services
• 12-month credit score tracking history
• Round-the-clock access to customer support

Low costs for individuals

ID Shield's pricing model stands out for its clarity and consistency. Individual plans range from $14.95 to $19.95 per month (depending on 1- vs. 3-bureau coverage), while family plans are priced between $29.95 and $34.95 per month. And ID Shield doesn't compromise on coverage when it comes to family plans, distinguishing itself from competitors. These plans extend coverage to include not only you but also your spouse or domestic partner, along with up to 10 dependent children. Notably, these rates represent everyday pricing - a refreshing departure from the common practice of enticing customers with low introductory rates and subsequently increasing fees. Plus, ID Shield offers a 30-day free trial with any of its packages.

Friendly and helpful service

While ID Shield may not boast thousands of customer reviews, the feedback it has received is overwhelmingly positive. Impressively, 92% of customers have awarded ID Shield a perfect 5-star rating. Plus, the company has an impressive "A” rating from the Better Business Bureau. Customers frequently recount receiving rapid alerts following attempted fraud, even in cases where transactions might have appeared unauthorized but were legitimate. Plus, the company's mobile apps are well-rated on the Google Play and Apple app stores. The service receives high praise for its friendly and helpful representatives who are always ready to answer questions, address alerts, and promptly take action to mitigate the impact of identity theft.

Hard to find insurance information

However, with information lacking regarding the insurance, ID Shield slides a bit lower in our rating than its features might deserve. While there is a toll-free number for ID Shield to ask questions, it's hard to find, and when we clicked on the option for live chat it didn't work, which may frustrate customers further. So, while you can get more details by calling, that's a lot more work on the customer overall.

Still great overall

Protecting yourself and your family from identity fraud should not be complicated. ID Shield simplifies the process, making it both straightforward and cost-effective. With comprehensive coverage, easily distinguishable service tiers, and responsive representatives, ID Shield emerges as an excellent choice for identity theft prevention and restoration. It offers a seamless solution that prioritizes simplicity and affordability, making it a compelling option in the realm of identity theft protection.

LifeLock

• From $11.99 to $79.99 per month
• Discounts for paying annually
• Up to $3 million in insurance per individual
• Credit tracking
• Bank, home, and auto tracking
• Criminal tracking
• Lost wallet protection
• "A+” rating from the BBB

LifeLock stands as one of the most well-known names in the identity theft protection services market. The company's partnership with Norton has expanded its coverage, encompassing various aspects of your online life.

Good features but bad navigation

This includes essential features like financial account monitoring and identity restoration in the unfortunate event of theft. But, navigating through LifeLock's array of plans and pricing options can be somewhat bewildering. On their main "Plans" tab, you'll find Standard, Advantage, and Plus. However, on the pricing page, the plans are listed as Select, Advantage, and Plus. This inconsistency can make it challenging to determine which package best suits your needs.

Up to $3 million in insurance

The insurance coverage at LifeLock changes depending on which plan you go with. The lowest tier offers up to $1,050,000 in coverage, the mid-tier plan offers up to $1.2 million in coverage, and the most expensive plan offers up to $3 million in insurance. And if you add children to your plan you can get an additional $1,050,000 per child included in your plan. This is one of the most flexible insurance plans with some of the highest payouts on this list, which shows LifeLock's commitment to customer safety.

Good range of features

LifeLock offers a range of essential features that are common across all their plans:

• US-Based Identity Restoration Specialists: Access to experts who can assist in restoring your identity.
• Round-the-Clock Member Support: Ensuring you have assistance when you need it most.
• Lost Wallet Protection: Helping you recover your essentials if your wallet is lost or stolen.
• Pre-Approved Credit Card Offer Reduction: Minimizing unsolicited credit card offers.
• Identity Alert System: Real-time alerts when your personal information is detected on various platforms, including service/credit applications and the Dark Web.

You can also get additional features depending on which plan you choose. For example, on higher-tier plans, customers can get access to alerts for:

• Crimes committed in your name
• Investment accounts
• Home title
• Social media
• Phone takeover

Good deals for singles, but not families

LifeLock has three different plans which can be purchased for a single person, 2 adults, or a family of 2 adults and up to 5 children. The plans can be paid for month-to-month or at a discount if you commit to one year. One thing to note about the pricing on the site is that the first listed price is a promotional rate. The real rate kicks in after your first year subscribed to LifeLock. Most notably, once you get past the individual plans, the pricing at LifeLock gets very expensive. So, for those with families, LifeLock definitely doesn't offer the best deal on the market.

Individual

• Standard:
• Introductory price: $89.99 for the first year
• Regular price: $124.99 per year
• Month-to-month: $11.99
• Advantage:
• Introductory price: $179.88 for the first year
• Regular price: $239.99 per year
• Month-to-month: $22.99
• Ultimate Plus:
• Introductory price: $239.88 for the first year
• Regular price: $339.99 per year
• Month-to-month: $34.99

Family

• Standard:
• Introductory price: $149.87 for the first year
• Regular price: $249.99 per year
• Month-to-month: $23.99
• Advantage:
• Introductory price: $287.88 for the first year
• Regular price: $479.99 per year
• Month-to-month: $45.99
• Ultimate Plus:
• Introductory price: $395.88 for the first year
• Regular price: $670.99 per year
• Month-to-month: $69.99

Family (2 Adults + 5 Kids)

• Standard:
• Introductory price: $221.87 for the first year
• Regular price: $359.99 per year
• Month-to-month: $35.99
• Advantage:
• Introductory price: $359.88 for the first year
• Regular price: $579.99 per year
• Month-to-month: $57.99
• Ultimate Plus:
• Introductory price: $467.88 for the first year
• Regular price: $799.99 per year
• Month-to-month: $79.99

Rising reputation

LifeLock has risen significantly in reputation with their move from an "F" rating from the Better Business Bureau up to a solid "A+”. However, there are still a host of complaints about the business which balance out the new positive rating from the BBB. Verified reviews show the average star rating for LifeLock at 3 stars across different review sites, with an even mix of positive and negative comments for this company.

Negative customer feedback

On the negative side, reviewers have complained about the customer service at LifeLock. In general, they feel that the service representatives are unhelpful and don't care enough about customers. On the other hand, customers who loved the service said they felt safe with LifeLock due to their extensive insurance options for families and singles. The main thing most customers agree on overall is that the costs at LifeLock are too high.

Good but not great

While LifeLock features thousands of positive customer reviews on its site, its mixed reputation keeps it from ranking among the top competitors in the industry. In today's identity theft protection landscape, LifeLock comes out as a middle-of-the-road option a bit too expensive to be a top competitor, but with a solid background in security, so many still trust LifeLock as a well-known name. Considering that, we suggest checking them out, but if you're in need of a family plan on a budget, this may not be the spot for you.

IdentityIQ

• $8.50 to $29.99 per month
• $1 million in insurance per person
• Credit tracking
• Bank, home, and auto tracking
• Criminal tracking
• Antivirus protection
• VPN
• Smart Vault encryption
• Parent company has "B” rating from the BBB

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Temecula, California, IdentityIQ has established itself as a reliable provider of identity theft protection. As part of the IDIQ family, which includes MyScoreIQ, Credit & Debt, and DataBreachIQ, IdentityIQ is backed by a wealth of industry experience and expertise.

Signing up is a breeze

Signing up for their services is a breeze, with a tempting seven-day trial available at just $1. IdentityIQ offers customers a comprehensive blend of credit monitoring, identity tracking, and robust cybersecurity features. While their services are generally comprehensive, it's important to double-check before choosing one of the lower-priced plans, as they may not have all the features you might want for your security. Additionally, it's worth noting that their customer service department operates within limited hours, which could potentially be a source of frustration for some subscribers.

Industry-standard insurance policy

To keep you feeling extra safe while using IdentityIQ, the company offers a competitive insurance policy that is equal to most of the companies in this review. Customers can expect a full $1 million in insurance if anything happens and they need to recover their identity, personal information, or funds.

Solid security features are competitive

There are tons of identity protection features that IdentityIQ has to offer. The company's services cover a wide spectrum, from restoration support for customers who already have had their information stolen to swift SSN alerts and reimbursement for stolen funds. Notably, their subscription plans offer the ability to add anti-virus protection and VPNs, catering to up to 10 devices. Furthermore, IdentityIQ provides a user-friendly app available for both iPhone and Android devices, ensuring that you can conveniently manage your identity protection on the go. Some of the useful features you can find at this site include:

• Dark Web monitoring
• Utility payment reporting
• Family monitoring
• Credit reports and monitoring
• Antivirus software and protection

3 competitive pricing tiers

There are three plans to choose from at IdentityIQ. The three options provide a tier system so you can choose only the features that you need or want for your security. If you want the lower-cost monthly payment you do need to commit to a year, but either way, the prices are still competitive across the board. Here's a basic rundown of the features (though there are more than these available to customers):

• Secure Plus: $8.50 to $9.99 per month
• Annual 3-bureau credit reports and scores
• $1 Million insurance
• Secure Pro: $16.99 to $19.99 per month
• Same features as Secure Plus
• Alerts on crimes committed in your name
• Score change alerts
• Secure Max: $25.50 to $29.99 per month
• Same features as Secure Pro
• Enhanced credit report monitoring
• Credit score simulator & tracker
• $25K insurance on top of regular
• Fraud restoration with LPOA

Solid reputation, trouble with contacting customer service

During our research on IdentityIQ, we found the company's reputation to be solid overall. The company is part of the Identity Intelligence Group (IDIQ) which holds a solid "B” rating. Plus, on verified third-party review sites like Trustpilot, reviews are generally positive, particularly highlighting the effectiveness of their customer service when dealing with identity theft issues. The company has an average star rating of 4.3 out of 5, which is impressive. However, it's important to note that some customers have reported difficulties when attempting to cancel their subscriptions, with no refunds issued upon confirmed cancellation.

Mid-tier option with some bonuses

IdentityIQ presents a solid option for individuals seeking identity theft protection, though it doesn't stand out as the best pricing or the most interesting. With three simple plans, it's easy to pick out what you do and don't want from IdentityIQ, which is a bonus for customers looking for a quick and simple solution to personal security. However, it's important to be aware of some reports indicating difficulties with subscription cancellations, so if you're worried about joining and unsubscribing, this might not be the most user-friendly option out there. Otherwise, it's pretty competitive.

IDSeal

• $24.16 per month for 1 person
• $54.83 per month for 2 people
• $36.66 to $54.83 per month for a family
• $1 million in insurance
• Credit tracking
• Child and Dark Web tracking
• Bank, home, and auto tracking
• Antivirus protection
• VPN
• Well-rated mobile apps
• "A+” rating from the BBB

IDSeal may be relatively new to the identity theft protection industry, launching in 2018, but it had already secured an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau at the time of this review. The site is powered by Experian and offers an affordable and innovative solution for comprehensive identity and device protection. With a commitment to providing peace of mind, their advanced technology is designed to keep users safe online, ensuring that worries about becoming a victim are a thing of the past.

Up to $1 million in insurance

Knowing you're protected is important and to that end, IDSeal offers an insurance plan and restoration plans to help customers if the worst ever happens. IDSeal offers identity theft insurance with coverage of up to $1 million as well as fully managed identity restoration and lost wallet protection. Plus, with its 24/7 customer service, you can ask questions any time to feel safer and keep tabs on the recovery process if you ever need it.

Tons of monitoring and protection features

IDSeal has loads of features. Scrolling through the site shows tons of dropdown menus with even more features hidden inside. It takes ages to read them all, so we've added some of the best ones here, but this is by no means an exhaustive list of IDSeal's features:

• Monitoring: includes Dark Web, change of address, social media, non-credit loans, sex offender databases, financial account takeover, credit card application/opening, smart SSN tracker, court/criminal record, three credit bureaus, monthly VantageScore, bi-annual three-bureau VantageScore and credit report, and real-time credit use and authorization.
• Child Protection: includes child-focused protection features such as SSN tracking, Dark Web monitoring, child social media monitoring, restoration services, and Identity Threat Alerts.
• Privacy: includes enhanced privacy through services like the Do Not Call registry, credit freeze, three-bureau fraud alert, and the ability to opt out of credit card offers.

Higher cost for fewer devices

Along with a ton of features, IDSeal also has the most complicated list of security plans. There are six total options with four of those being comprehensive security plans and two being VPN plans. Overall, the costs are mostly competitive, but as some of the plans are limited to smaller numbers of children or devices than others, IDSeal is still more expensive than some of our top competitors in this review. The pricing shakes out as follows:

• Platinum: $24.16 per month (annual) or $28.99 per month (monthly)
• 1 adult
• 2 devices
• Platinum Plus: $29.16 per month (annual) or $34.99 per month (monthly)
• 1 adult
• 10 kids
• 4 devices
• Family: $36.66 per month (annual) or $43.99 per month (monthly)
• 2 adults
• 4 devices
• Family Plus: $54.83 per month (annual) or $54.99 per month (monthly)
• 2 adults
• 10 kids
• 8 devices
• VPN+: $129.90 per year or $12.99 per month
• 2 devices
• VPN+ Student: $99.99 per year or $9.99 per month
• 1 device

Mixed reviews

IDSeal has a solid "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau, which is a huge tick in IDSeal's favor. However, in terms of reviews, the word isn't as good. IDSeal only has a 2.9-star rating out of 5 from the BBB itself. Other verified third-party review sites show mixed feedback, though a little better than the BBB.

Feedback for IDSeal is scarce

But there's only a handful of reviews out there to verify. For example, on Trustpilot, where IDSeal scored the highest (4 stars out of 5) there are only 10 total reviews. Even on the app stores where IDSeal has a well-rated mobile app, the total reviews are barely over 100 comments across both Apple and Google platforms. While the company features some testimonials on its website, comprehensive feedback about how IDSeal performs in the event of a major information breach or significant identity theft losses remains scarce.

Mid-tier option with room to grow

Despite the current scarcity of feedback, IDSeal's positive BBB rating provides hope for continued positive reviews. Over time, as more customers utilize their services, we anticipate seeing further feedback that can shed light on their performance. As of now, however, the company doesn't rise to the top of the list. Though the company has robust features, the prices are higher than other competitors, so for now, IDSeal sits in the middle of the pack for this review.

Identity Defense

• $8.99 to $29.99 per month for one person
• $1 million in ID insurance
• Credit tracking
• Antivirus protection
• Social media tracking
• VPN
• Has a mobile app
• Parent company has an "A+” rating from the BBB

In the realm of identity theft protection services, trust is paramount. A trustworthy company should present itself clearly, with readily accessible information about who they are, how to contact them, and the way they operate. While it seems Identity Defense has made some updates in recent years and cleaned up its website, it's still behind the times in terms of information.

Lack of transparency

It's surprisingly challenging to find a way to reach out and ask questions on their website. And, most annoying of all is that the listed prices for Identity Defense aren't the actual prices you'll pay: it's just a startup promotion. This along with other transparency issues has particularly affected the ranking of Identity Defense in this review.

$1 million in ID insurance

Thankfully, Identity Defense is completely transparent about the insurance when you use its services. All plans are insured up to $1 million in ID Theft Insurance. This way, you can be sure that recovering your data and information can be as easy as possible without any worry about extra costs or losses.

Features change with each plan

The features of Identity Defense aren't as robust as some of the other companies in this review. However, since none of the tiers are terribly expensive, the services provided are still fairly inclusive. The features are limited depending on which plan you choose, and those features are missing some key security measures we've seen included at other companies. For example, the features include only three items on the lowest tier:

• Dark Web monitoring
• High-risk transaction monitoring
• $1 Million ID theft insurance

For higher tiers you can find some of the other features like:

• Annual credit report and scores
• Bank account takeovers
• Social media monitoring
• 3-bureau credit monitoring
• Monthly credit score
• Address monitoring

Complete service isn't as cost-effective as it appears

Identity Defense offers a range of features for individual customers. It's important to note that the rates first displayed on the site are "introductory,” so that won't be the rate you pay after the introductory period is over (though the site doesn't say how long that period might be). The prices listed below are the regular rates:

• Essential Plan: $8.99 per month or $107.88 per year
• Plus Plan: $19.99 per month or $239.88 per year
• Complete Plan: $29.99 per month or $359.88 per year

Remember, to get all the features, you have to commit to the Complete Plan, which, when stacked against other companies with similar features, isn't as cost-effective as it appeared. Further, these options only offer protection for one person, not families. But if you only need the basics, this could be a cheap way to get security for those on a tight budget.

Not popular with customers

Additionally, Identity Defense's website provides absolutely no information about the company itself. There's no "About Us" section, no history, and a complete absence of background. It should not require digging through a site's "Terms of Use" section to discover that it is owned by Intersections, a reputable name in the identity theft protection industry with an "A+" rating and BBB accreditation. However, a strong parent company doesn't mean Identity Defense is where it's at. According to the general lack of customer reviews, Identity Defense isn't terribly popular. Further, the site has a mobile app on the Apple App Store with an average score of 1 out of 5 stars. In general, it might be safer to find a more well-known company with better ratings overall.

Better choices available

Taking into account all the concerns that arose during our research, Identity Defense holds one of the lowest rankings in our review. As a provider of identity theft protection, The lack of attention to detail on their website leaves us wondering about the quality of the services they offer. And while the prices seem low, it's not as competitive when you see how much the full-service option is compared to competitors. Considering these concerns, it might be better to opt for an identity theft prevention company that invests the time and effort to earn your trust and has better reviews and ratings.

Identity Force

• $29.95 per month per person
• $1 million in insurance
• Child watch
• Bank trackers
• Credit score tracker
• "A+” rating from the BBB

Identity Force, a subsidiary of Sontiq and acquired by EZ Shield in 2019, is a brand with a rich heritage in the identity theft protection industry, spanning several decades. However, this isn't enough to make it a top competitor.

Some concerns

In fact, there are more than a few things that concern us about Identity Force. First and foremost, the website: instead of offering a multi-page site with details about the service, Identity Force has just one page where you can quickly sign up for their single option for security. It stands out as an odd choice as it doesn't exactly engender trust in the company to have just one page with very little information about service.

Details include $1 million in insurance

The only information we could find about insurance at Identity Force is a single line in a checklist of items offered by the company's protection plan. According to this, Identity Force offers the industry standard of $1 million in insurance for identity theft.

Minimal features for one plan

While we wish there was more information in general, Identity Force does offer a quick list of all the features you can expect to find with this service. It's important to note that this list of features is much smaller than many other services in this review, and there aren't any other tiers or plans for customers to choose from at Identity Force. The features inclue:

• ChildWatch
• Smart SSN tracker
• Bank and credit card activity alerts
• Dark Web monitoring
• Quarterly 3-bureau credit scores and credit reports
• Credit score tracker
• Credit score simulator

Cost not worth the service

As noted above, there is only one plan available at Identity Force. When we started the signup process, the plan was called UltraSecure+Credit which costs $29.95 per month or $359.95 per year. This pricing is much higher than many other monthly selections especially when you consider that many of those competitors have more features and more informative websites overall. Given the fact that there's only one plan while many competitors have two or three to choose from, and details are scarce about Identity Force in general including information on how many devices will be protected and other key services, Identity Force doesn't stand out as a cost-effective or customer-focused option.

Expensive for families

Once we dug into the enrollment process, we found that Identity Force does actually cater to families too. During sign-up, you can add additional family members to your plan, though additional adults cost $29.95 each, and the site is unclear on how much extra (if any) adding children to the plan will cost. Either way, just having two people on the plan will cost around $60 per month which isn't affordable at all.

Reputation has fallen recently

While Identity Force still holds its "A+" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, we're still unsure about the quality of the service. The BBB page shows that reviews for Identity Force have brought its star ratings down recently with the official BBB rating at 1.2 stars out of 5. Further, review sites that show updated comments at the time of this review rated Identity Force just 2.6 out of 5 stars.

Customer complaints

And it's worth noting that only 41% of subscribers awarded the service 5-star ratings. This apparent disconnect led us to delve deeper into the reviews. Recent reviews have noted that they were not taken care of properly by Identity Force with free services offering them better safety coverage than they got for paying for Identity Force. With those comments coming up more and more often in reviews, it might be safer to try another service instead.

Identity Force has fallen far

Identity Force just isn't what it used to be. Their single plan is expensive and missing a considerable number of features compared to other sites offering similar prices. The company used to get top marks for its service, but customers today are saying that Identity Force didn't protect their data or information and that they can get better help from a free service, which is concerning. With these red flags, Identity Force has fallen in our rankings.

Identity Protect

• $19.95 to $39.90 per month
• $1 million in insurance per person
• Credit tracking
• Dark Web monitoring
• Lost wallet assistance
• "B+” rating from the BBB

Identity Protect is a relatively new player in the world of identity theft protection services. While it boasts a user-friendly interface, it doesn't stand out with unique features and lacks the brand recognition of more established competitors. Moreover, its pricing is on the higher side compared to some alternatives, which may give potential customers pause. While usability is a plus, it doesn't outweigh the overall value proposition for most consumers.

Full protection with $1 million in insurance

One of the primary draws of Identity Protect is its financial protection against identity theft. The company offers a $1 million insurance policy. This policy covers various costs associated with identity recovery, such as hiring private investigators or CPAs. Additionally, it offers reimbursement for lost wages due to time off work taken to address identity theft issues. If you encounter financial losses from your bank account due to identity theft-related fraud, you may also qualify for reimbursement under this policy.

Features missing some industry staples

Identity Protect's feature set aligns with what you'd typically find in identity theft protection services. However, it lacks the additional perks offered by some competitors, like social media network monitoring or investment account tracking. The service also doesn't boast the same level of brand recognition and track record as more established providers. Furthermore, users may notice advertisements and third-party offers within the service, potentially raising concerns about trustworthiness.

Expensive for what you get

Based on comparisons with the industry, Identity Protect's pricing may give some potential customers pause. It's pretty expensive for what's being offered. The monthly subscription cost is higher than the industry average, and there are no discounts for annual payments. There are three subscription plans to choose from:

• Basic: $19.95 per month
• $1 million ID theft insurance
• Dark Web & internet monitoring
• Rapid email alerts
• SSN usage monitoring
• Change of address monitoring
• Lost wallet assistance
• Premium: $29.95 per month
• All the features of Basic
• Monthly data broker monitoring
• Online reputation management
• Data broker data removal
• Ultimate: $39.90 per month
• All the features of Premium
• 3-bureau reports and scores
• 3-bureau credit monitoring
• Credit fraud consultation
• Credit score factors
• Credit score simulator
• Credit score tracker
• Debt analysis

No plan for families

Notably, many of the most useful features are hidden behind the most expensive subscription plan, which isn't ideal for individuals on a budget. Further, there's not a particular plan for families, so customers may end up paying the same amount per person if they want to protect more than just themselves.

Fraudulent charges by Identity Protect

In terms of reputation, the news isn't great. Identity Protect doesn't have a presence with verified third-party review sites, which makes it hard to gauge how real customers feel about the experience of subscribing to this company. While the company has a decent "B+” rating with the Better Business Bureau, there's a red flag there too: Identity Protect has a current alert out for it. According to the BBB alert, several customers have shared their experiences of unapproved withdrawals of $24.95 by Identity Protect from their bank accounts, and in some cases, this occurred multiple times. These unexpected charges often followed applications for unrelated online loans. The BBB attempted to contact the company but did not receive a response, so we're unsure if Identity Protect is doing something to address these concerns.

You may not be protected

While Identity Protect isn't a top-tier service across the board, it's the alert for fraudulent charges that creates the most concern for this company. Considering that Identity Protect is supposed to keep customers safe from things like fraudulent charges and withdrawals, it's clear that this isn't a place you want to pay to keep your identity or personal information safe. Bottom line? Keep browsing. Identity Protect definitely isn't protecting anyone the way it should be.