6 Best Identity Theft Protection Services of 2022

(Ad) No matter how carefully you check your bank account for unauthorized charges or monitor your credit reports for fraud, identity theft still happens.

Luckily, there are a variety of identity theft protection services that can help protect you against fraud, unauthorized charges, and data breaches.

The best identity theft protection services monitor your credit and social security number for fraudulent activity and provide real-time alerts if suspicious activity is detected. The best identity theft companies also provide services such as stolen funds reimbursement, dark web monitoring, and identity theft insurance.

In this guide, we've reviewed the best identity theft protection services available. We analyzed each identity protection service on a variety of factors including features, services offered, plan options, reviews, and complaints. 

If you're ready to protect yourself from fraud, here are the best identity theft protection services of 2022.

The 6 Best Identity Theft Protection Services of 2022

• Aura: Best identity theft protection overall
• Identity Guard: Best value
• Credit Squad: Best for credit monitoring
• IdentityIQ: Best identity theft protection for families
• LifeLock: Most reputable brand
• IdentityForce: Best for seniors

#1 Aura: Best Identity Theft Protection Service Overall

In a world that has become increasingly reliant on digital technology, Aura’s leading cyber-security company offers protection from daily online threats. Aura’s founder, Hari Ravichandran, created the company in 2014 after becoming a victim of identity theft.

Since then, the digital security company has committed itself to making the digital experience safe, and user-friendly by leveraging military-grade encryption with straightforward products and fast, convenient customer care. Below, we’ll take a closer look at Aura’s identity theft protection services and the features that set it apart from other leading products.

Identity theft increased by more than 50% from 2019 to 2020, with more than 1.4 million victims reporting cases1. As such, it’s more vital than ever to safeguard your most personal information.

Aura provides all-in-one protection for you and your family through its suite of identity theft protection services, including:

• Social Security Number tracking
• Online account and Dark Web monitoring
• Public records searches
• Home title monitoring and notifications

If you do become a victim of identity theft, Aura has you covered, too. The company offers up to $1 million in identity theft insurance for eligible losses*, which you can use to pay for legal fees, CPA costs, lost wages, childcare, and more.

Financial Fraud Protection

You’ve worked hard to save money and invest in your future. Aura works just as hard to make sure your financial accounts remain secure with tools such as monthly credit scores**, easy credit locks with Experian, credit monitoring, and suspicious transaction notifications.

In addition, Aura will alert you up to four times faster than other identity theft services competitors. Whether the company identifies an unusual transaction, a hacked bank account, or another form of fraud, you’ll have the opportunity to act quickly to secure your account and protect your financial future.

Device and Network Protection

With more than 677 million active malware programs in existence and new phishing sites appearing each day, the web can be a scary place. Aura allows you to browse safely while helping protect your digital activity with top-of-the-line, military-grade encryption, and malware protection.

You can even use the company’s virtual private network (VPN) to help protect your devices while browsing the web at home or in public locations. Aura’s VPN will secure your WiFi connection and alert you to unsecured sites, phishing schemes, or viruses.

Family Protection

Keep your loved ones safe online with Aura’s family plan. The company offers packages to protect up to five people and their devices (10 per member) from malware, viruses, and phishing sites.

Aura also provides robust identity protection for your entire family2. The identity theft service will track your family members’ Social Security numbers, personal information, and registered online accounts.

If your child’s Social Security number gets exposed through a data breach or their account information gets posted online, Aura’s 24/7 customer support team will work with you to secure your loved one’s identity and prevent future breaches. Most importantly, you can count on up to $1 million in ID theft insurance* for each adult family member.

Plans and Packages

Aura offers several packages to suit a variety of needs, as follows.

Individual: $9/month

Couple: $17/month

Family: $25/month

Features include:

• Online account, personal information, and Social Security monitoring
• Identity verification monitoring
• $1 million in insurance coverage*
• Password manager
• Lost wallet remediation
• Antivirus protection for up to 10 devices per adult
• VPN services for up to 10 devices per adult
• 24/7 customer support based in the U.S.
• Credit monitoring
• Monthly credit score**
• Credit lock for Experian
• Financial transaction and bank account monitoring
• Home title and USPS address monitoring
• Criminal and court records monitoring
• 401K and investment portfolio monitoring
• Annual credit report
• White glove fraud resolution

Click Here to Learn More About Aura

#2. Identity Guard: Best Value

Identity Guard(R) is our top choice for the best identity theft protection service of 2021. From fraud alerts to credit monitoring and identity theft insurance, Identity Guard has everything you need to help protect your identity against fraud.

Identity Guard relies on its unique IBM(R) Watson(™)-powered artificial intelligence program.

The Virginia-based company has nearly three decades of experience under its belt and excels at its mission to help protect your identity in the digital age. Additionally, unlike other companies that limit your access to ID theft protection services, Identity Guard includes four critical monitoring services with every plan:

• Identity theft prevention
• Credit monitoring
• Identity recovery services
• Identity theft insurance*

Identity Guard does more than prevent identity theft, too. The company’s plans include a browser extension that protects you and your family while surfing the web. Further, the company offers a social media insights report for your social media profiles to help you stay one step ahead of cyber-criminals.

Depending on your needs, you can choose between three Identity Guard plans for yourself and your family. No matter which plan you prefer, you will receive IBM Watson-powered credit monitoring and up to $1 million in ID theft insurance* for eligible losses.

Value Plan: The value plan costs $6.67 per month for individuals and $10.00 per month for families.  This plan features the following:

• Dark web monitoring
• $1 million in identity theft insurance*
• High risk transaction monitoring

Total Plan: Identity Guard’s mid-range plan includes everything in the Value Plan plus additional services including bank account monitoring, 1-bureau monthly credit score**, and 3-bureau credit monitoring. The Total Plan costs $13.33 per month for individuals and $20.00 per month for families.

Ultra Plan: Identity Guard’s top-tier plan rings in at only $20.00 per month for individuals and $26.67 per month for families. It includes all of the services described above, plus the following features:

• Social media insights report
• Credit & debit card monitoring
• 401k and investment account monitoring
• Criminal and sex offense monitoring
• USPS address change monitoring
• Home title monitoring
• 3-bureau annual credit report

With plans starting as low as $6.67 per month for individuals and $10.00 for families, Identity Guard offers one of the best values in the industry.

Click Here to Learn More About Identity Guard

#3. Credit Squad: Best for Credit Monitoring

While a newcomer in the identity theft protection industry, Credit Squad stands out from its competitors for one key reason: its team of professional identity fraud counselors who provide customized ID theft guidance.

In addition to hands-on assistance from the company’s counselors, Credit Squad offers a variety of services, including:

• Online identity monitoring
• Change of address request monitoring
• Payday loan request alerts
• Social Security number tracing
• Early warnings for fraudulent activity

Further, the company offers personalized identity restoration services, making it easier to restore your credit, bank accounts, and identity after attempted fraud. If you experience identity theft, scams, or data leaks, Credit Squad’s experts can help you restore your bank accounts and eliminate negative marks on your credit score. They also provide recommendations to protect your information from theft before it occurs.

Last, Credit Squad’s Lost Wallet Replacement service makes it simple to close accounts and replace credit cards when you misplace your wallet. Rather than spending hours on the phone with banks and credit card companies, you can turn the process over to Credit Squad, who will ensure a quick end to a stressful scenario.

Credit Squad offers several individual and family plans ranging from $14.99 to $49.99 per month. The company’s plans include:

Credit Squad Standard: At $14.99 per month, the company's standard plan provides individuals with one-bureau credit monitoring and score tracking.

Credit Squad Complete: The tier-two plan rings in at $19.99 per month and supplies individuals with ID theft protection and credit score monitoring.

Credit Squad Elite: The company’s premium individual plan costs users $24.99 per month. It offers three-bureau credit monitoring, credit score tracking, and ID theft protection.

Credit Squad 1B + ID Theft: At $24.99, Credit Squad’s 1B + ID Theft plan provides families with credit reports, credit monitoring from one credit bureau, and identity theft protection.

Credit Squad 3B + ID Theft: For $49.99 per month, families can enjoy three-bureau credit reports and comprehensive identity theft monitoring through Credit Squad’s premium family plan.

Click Here to Learn More About Credit Squad

#4. IdentityIQ: Best for Device Security and Online Privacy

IdentityIQ's advanced identity and identity monitoring services make it a suitable option for many users. The California-based provider has fine-tuned its monitoring services, creating a one-of-a-kind personal information protection suite that includes:

• Three-bureau credit reports
• Social Security number tracing
• Change of address alerts
• Synthetic identity theft protection
• File sharing network monitoring
• And more

However, IdentityIQ’s true strength lies in its ID theft insurance policies. For more than a decade, the company has provided its users with $1 million identity theft insurance coverage and dedicated US-based identity restoration teams.

Unlike other companies, the coverage extends beyond legal fees, childcare expenses, and indirect losses, such as credit monitoring or mailing fees. Instead, IdentityIQ will reimburse you for direct losses or stolen funds, including unauthorized charges and money taken from your bank account.

Plan Options:

IdentityIQ simplifies the shopping process and offers only three plans, but don’t confuse limited options with limited protection. IdentityIQ’s theft prevention services and unrivaled theft insurance come standard with all three plans.

Further, its premium plan, Secure Max, provides coverage for up to three children for no extra fee. The company’s subscription options include:

Secure Plus: Identity IQ’s base plan provides comprehensive ID theft services for just $8.99 per month. The low cost covers 14 critical functions, including three-bureau identity monitoring, dark web monitoring, extensive coverage for lawyers, experts, and personal expenses, and Social Security number alerts.

Secure Pro: At $17.99 per month, Secure Pro builds on Secure Plus’s coverage but adds advanced credit report monitoring, alerts for credit score changes, and notifications for crimes committed using your name.

Secure Max: Identity IQ’s premium plan enhances your service with credit score simulators, family coverage, a credit score tracker, and more. The top-level plan includes an additional $25,000 in insurance for your children for only $26.99 per month.

Click Here to Learn More about Identity IQ

#5. LifeLock: Best ID Theft Insurance

LifeLock has earned its title as one of the best identity theft protection services available, and with good reason. The company's ID fraud protection services rival the best in the business. Further, LifeLock plans come with access to Norton 360, a full-service antivirus software that prevents ID fraud due to phishing, malware, viruses, spyware, and more.

Like most companies, LifeLock focuses on four critical security services:

• ID theft prevention
• Credit report monitoring
• Identity recovery assistance
• Identity theft insurance

That said, LifeLock outshines its competition when you compare the value of its plans. Along with access to Norton 360, even the basic Select Plan includes advanced identity monitoring, Social Security number usage notifications, identity monitoring, a VPN, and lost funds reimbursement.

LifeLock provides an additional layer of protection with its continual dark web scans. In addition, the identity theft protection service will search for your personal data and alert you immediately if it discovers that your identity has been stolen. Finally, you can freeze your credit files as a proactive measure, ensuring that a thief can’t access or affect your credit report.

Plan Options:

LifeLock offers a slightly more expansive collection of individual, couple, and family plans. With nine options to choose from, you can ensure that you, your spouse, and up to five children have full-service identity fraud protection.

LifeLock’s plan options include:

LifeLock Select: The basic plan includes coverage for individuals ($8.29/month), a two-adult family plan ($14.99/month), or a family plan covering two adults and up to five children ($20.99). Enjoy identity and Social Security number use alerts, one-bureau credit monitoring, up to $25,000 in lost funds reimbursement per adult, and more.

Lifelock Advantage: The middle-of-the-road option provides up to $100,000 in reimbursement for each adult plus a VPN for ten family devices, credit freeze capabilities, criminal activity monitoring, and more. Choose between an individual plan ($15.99/month), a two-adult family plan ($24.99.month), or a family plan covering up to five children ($30.99/month).

LifeLock Ultimate Plus: With prices ranging from $24.99 /month for individuals to $40.99/month for families with up to five children, LifeLock’s premium plans offer identity monitoring from all three major credit bureaus, credit file and account detection for children, and up to $1 million in stolen money reimbursement for each adult, among other advanced options.

Click Here to Learn More about LifeLock

#6. IdentityForce: Best for Seniors

IdentityForce offers excellent service to its customers in a variety of ways. From government-agency-level protection to credit monitoring, data breach protection, and more, IdentityForce provides services that you, your family, your business, and government agencies alike can count on.

However, the company stands out from other service providers due to its advanced child identity protection. IdentityForce combines advanced anti-phishing technology with a mobile app-based VPN to protect you and your children while browsing online. IdentityForce will also alert you if a sex offender moves into your area, keeping your kids safe indoors and out.

Along with continual web monitoring, risk analysis, and bank alerts, IdentityForce features include:

• Identity monitoring and reporting from all three credit bureaus
• Dedicated white-glove identity restoration experts
• Credit simulators
• 24/7 identity theft prevention and protection
• Identity fraud insurance up to $1 million

Further, both of IdentityForce’s plans include coverage for two adults and an unlimited number of children.

Plan Options:

Unlike other companies, IdentityForce doesn’t offer a wide range of packages. However, you can choose between two options for individuals and families:

UltraSecure: At only $9.99/month for individuals and $24.90 for families, UltraSecure includes comprehensive identity monitoring, notification, control, and recovery tools to protect you and your family, including dark web monitoring, court records alerts, unusual bank activity notifications, lost wallet assistance, and family identity restoration services.

UltraSecure+Credit: UltraSecure+Credit includes all of the features found in UltraSecure, as well as three-bureau credit monitoring, regular reports, a credit score simulator, and more. Individuals can enjoy UltraSecure+Credit for $17.99/month, while families will pay $35.90/month.

Click Here to Learn More About Identity Force

What Is Identity Theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information. The theft may include stolen passwords, leaked financial details, or complete impersonation. Regardless, the thief may use your information in a variety of ways.

The effects of identity theft often extend beyond unauthorized purchases. Identity theft can interfere with important financial processes, such as applying for loans, credit lines, and mortgages. In addition, criminals can use your information to make false insurance claims. ID theft may even impact your children if an identity thief manages to access their information. Even more alarmingly, you might not even notice the theft at first.

Criminals can access your information from physical documents, such as your mail or medical records. However, in many cases, an identity thief will access your information online. So whether you use the internet to work, shop, or stay connected with friends and family, your personal information is at risk.

Identity theft and fraud can take a variety of forms, including:

Phishing

Phishing occurs when cybercriminals use emails, text messages, or phone calls to access your personal information. In many cases, phishing attempts look like they came from a company you trust, such as your bank, cell phone or laptop manufacturer, or credit card company.

The scammers will typically use persuasive or urgent language to convince you to open an email attachment, click on a link, or share your credit card information with them. If you open links or provide the scammer with your data, they can take over your devices, use your credit cards, or control your account.

Document Theft

While ID theft is more common online, document theft still happens more often than you might expect. For example, scammers may obtain your Social Security card or pull sensitive information from financial statements, bills, or personal letters.

Data Breaches

Data breaches occur when an identity thief accesses a company's information without authorization. They may obtain credit card numbers, full names, addresses, or even Social Security numbers.

In 2020 alone, more than 1,000 data breaches occurred in the United States. However, because most people have multiple online accounts with businesses worldwide, you can't fully protect your information from data breaches. Still, you can take steps to minimize your risk.

Formjacking

Formjacking occurs when cyber-criminals install programming into an otherwise trustworthy website's payment forms. When you input your information, they can access your credit card details, full name, and address.

Malware

Also known as "malicious software," malware can result in any number of headaches for individuals or businesses. Malware infects laptops, desktops, and smartphones through email attachments or seemingly legitimate links from banks, entertainment providers, or online stores.

When malware attacks your devices, identity thieves can monitor your digital activity or steal your information without your knowledge.

Wi-Fi Hacking

More than likely, you typically spend most of your time on a private Wi-Fi network at home or work. However, when you use a public network to browse the web while waiting at the airport or your favorite coffee shop, Wi-Fi hackers may have easy access to private details on your cell phone or computer.

Wi-Fi hackers infiltrate public networks and monitor activity. Then, they wait to swipe credit card information, Social Security numbers, or passwords for their own use.

Credit Card Theft

More than likely, you've heard horror stories about credit card theft. From drained bank accounts to extravagant shopping sprees, a stolen credit card can result in significant stress and hassle.

An identity thief may access your credit card information through a digital data breach, with a credit card skimmer, or by physically stealing your card.

Child Identity Theft

While a relatively new form of identity theft, child identity theft reports have rapidly increased in recent years. After accessing your child's information through document theft or data breaches, an identity thief may use their name and Social Security number to file taxes, open accounts, or make false medical claims.

In most cases, the theft will go unnoticed for years until your child tries to apply for a credit card, get car insurance, or interview for a job.

Synthetic Identity Theft

The pervasive nature of synthetic identity theft makes it complicated to track. Cyber-criminals steal information and personal details from multiple people and mix them up to manufacture a new identity.

For example, hackers may use your Social Security number with a second person’s name and a third person’s mailing address to open accounts. According to an FTC ID study, synthetic identity theft has become the most common type of identity theft in the United States.

How Does Identity Theft Protection Work?

The best identity theft protection services charge a monthly or yearly fee to monitor databases, websites, and other digital areas for your personal information. If the ID theft protection service finds your information online, it will alert you so that you can secure your accounts and take the necessary steps to prevent fraud.

ID theft protection services monitor different areas of the web. The most common locations include:

• USPS address change forms
• Court records
• Arrest records
• Utility service order records
• Cable or wireless provider requests
• Check cashing services
• Payday advance requests
• Dark web marketplaces

If an ID theft protection service finds evidence of your information, you can use their team of fraud experts and lawyers to restore your identity. Additionally, plans with identity theft insurance will cover indirect expenses, such as legal fees, lost savings, or stolen paychecks.

Features to Look for an Identity Theft Protection Company

Identity monitoring services work to help secure your future and save you quite a few headaches today. Even so, finding the best identity protection service isn't easy. Many companies provide basic services that don't meet all of your needs. Others charge premium prices for standard offerings.

When choosing an identity theft protection service for yourself and your family, ensure that the company offers critical functions and features, such as:

Credit Monitoring

Credit monitoring means that your identity theft protection services track your spending and borrowing activity. If they notice something out of the ordinary, your service will contact you for verification.

While credit monitoring may seem like an obvious feature, some identity theft protection services only monitor one bureau. Therefore, before signing up for an identity protection service, ensure that your company monitors all three major credit bureaus:

• Experian
• TransUnion
• Equifax

Dark Web Monitoring

When you choose an identity theft protection plan that offers dark web monitoring, you can help prevent cyber-criminals from buying, selling, and trading your personal information online.

Dark web monitoring scans digital locations on the dark web where criminals commonly sell stolen information. If your identity theft service finds your information during a scan, they will alert you of the breach.

Identity Theft Insurance

More than likely, you have invested in home or car insurance that helps cover your costs in the event of an accident. ID theft insurance works similarly. However, instead of protecting your physical property, identity theft insurance will reimburse you for the money spent reclaiming your identity and repairing your credit.

However, it does not reimburse you for money lost because of identity theft, such as stolen money or fraudulent charges made on your credit card.

Family Plans

An identity theft family plan means you can enroll your spouse, children, or other family members into the service. As a result, the service will search for and protect their information as well.

Family plans have become increasingly popular with the rise of child identity theft. When child identity theft occurs, you and your children may not know about the theft until your child tries to apply for a loan or credit card. Family plans help protect your children's financial and professional futures before they begin.

Mobile Apps

We live in a nonstop world. You need an identity theft service that goes where you do. When choosing between the top identity theft companies, ensure that you select one with a mobile app.

Identity protection mobile apps perform a variety of functions. For example, some offer a virtual private network (VPN) that can secure mobile browsing. Others work to prevent phishing attempts on your cell phone. Still others provide a streamlined overview of your bank accounts, potential data breaches, and change of address requests.

Identity Theft Restoration

If you experience identity theft, you could end up shouldering the emotional, financial, and legal burdens that follow unless you’ve chosen a program with full-service identity theft restoration.

Many companies offer identity theft resolution, which helps guide customers through the process. But companies that explicitly offer identity theft restoration services provide a trained professional who manages the entire process for you.

An identity theft restoration professional will quickly deal with personal data leaks, fraud, or other identity crimes. Further, they have the experience needed to navigate the process and save you considerable time and energy.

Social Security Number Monitoring

Most of the best identity theft protection services scan the web for your Social Security number, but the best identity theft protection companies raise the bar. Instead of only searching for your Social Security number online, full-service monitoring will alert you each time someone uses your Social Security number.

3-Bureau Credit Scores and Reports

Many people believe that receiving annual reports from a single bureau can protect them from credit fraud. However, it may surprise you to know that you can easily miss errors or unusual activity with a single report.

ID monitoring for the major credit reporting agencies creates a substantial digital wall of protection around you and your finances. You'll receive a comprehensive overview of your finances in each credit report. You can also compare credit reports for variances, potentially discovering identity theft sooner.

How Much Do Credit Protection Services Cost?

Most of the best identity theft protection plans cost between $8 and $15 per month. That said, like most consumer services, the cost of credit protection services can vary.

A standard plan will usually cost less than $10 per month. However, basic plans typically only cover individuals and offer single-bureau credit score monitoring. Advanced plans that offer identity monitoring from three credit bureaus, family identity protection, and enhanced Social Security monitoring will typically cost more.

Who Should Get ID Theft Protection?

Nearly three out of every ten Americans experienced significant identity theft in the past year. Yet, many people still believe it won’t happen to them.

In reality, we live in a digital world where we give information freely. So whether you input your credit card details into an online form or share your Social Security number when applying for a job, your information has passed through countless hands.

Given this information-sharing environment, most people should get ID theft protection. While you can rely on personal monitoring and annual credit reports, identity theft protection services can provide continuous protection for your personal and financial information.

Additionally, artificial intelligence-powered identity theft protection services can alert you at the first sign of identity theft. So rather than receiving an unpleasant surprise when applying for a loan, opening a new bank account, or interviewing for a job, you can gain an advantage over cyber-criminals with these services.

ID Theft Protection vs. Credit Monitoring – What's the Difference?

More than likely, you’ve seen “identity theft protection services” and “credit monitoring services” used interchangeably. While similar, the services vary in one important way.

Unlike credit monitoring, ID theft protection provides complete coverage against a wide variety of fraud or theft attempts. It usually includes ID monitoring as part of your service plan as well. Credit monitoring simply checks your credit score and credit filing activity at one, two, or three credit bureaus.

Like credit monitoring, identity protection services will typically alert you about suspicious activity on your credit report. They will also scan for unusual spending or borrowing from your bank account.

Further, identity protection services continually search for signs of your personal information online. An identity theft protection service will usually monitor:

• Credit filing activity
• Credit score changes
• Court and arrest records
• Payday loan applications
• Tax refund fraud alerts
• Check-cashing requests
• USPS change of address requests
• New utility, wireless, or cable service requests
• Personally identifiable information (PII) exposure on social media accounts
• Dark web activity

Depending on your plan, your identity theft protection service may even cover your spouse or children from identity theft as well.

Tips for Protecting Your Identity

Identity protection services seek out your information online. If your information shows up on the dark web, an address change request, or at an unfamiliar utility company, your identity theft protection service will alert you so you can secure your accounts.

Still, even the best identity theft protection services can't prevent identity theft from occurring. Data breaches, mail theft, and Wi-Fi hacking are often outside of anyone's control. That said, you can take a few proactive measures to stay one step ahead of identity thieves.

1. Shred Your Mail

Your mail contains a wide variety of personal details. From bank account numbers to credit card information, full names, addresses, and more, an identity thief can learn a lot about you from a discarded piece of correspondence. Shredding your mail before throwing it away ensures that your private information stays private.

2. Use a VPN

Many people enjoy working in coffee shops, airports, and other public areas. Yet, connecting to public Wi-Fi can put your private data at risk. So instead of allowing hackers easy access to personal information, use a VPN.

A virtual private network, or VPN, masks your IP address, location, and data from hackers and other third parties. A VPN will also encrypt your data and provide an additional layer of protection for personal and professional data exchanges.

3. Freeze Your Credit Reports

More than likely, you know that you can sign up for a credit monitoring service. But did you know that you can also freeze your credit report without impacting your credit score or affecting your current credit accounts?

A credit freeze prevents unauthorized users from accessing your accounts. As a result, fraudsters can't open new accounts in your name, even if they have the details needed to do so.

4. Protect Your Personal Information

Finally, secure your personal information by making it inaccessible to fraudsters. Keep your birth certificate, Social Security card, and other legal documents out of sight. Store your passwords in a secure app such as 1Password or LastPass instead of writing them on paper.

Most importantly, don't share your Social Security number, driver's license number, or financial information with anyone you don't trust.

What Is Identity Theft Insurance, and Do You Need It?

As mentioned above, ID theft insurance works similarly to home or auto insurance. In the event of fraud, identity theft insurance helps cover the costs required to restore your financial accounts, credit score, or credit reports.

Typically, ID theft insurance covers a variety of restoration expenses, including:

• Phone calls
• Lost wages
• Legal fees
• Mailing fees
• Copies of financial or credit reports
• Child care costs
• Public record searches
• Black web monitoring

Contrary to popular belief, identity theft insurance doesn’t provide stolen funds reimbursement. Instead, it simply helps you cover the amount required to reclaim your identity. Still, purchasing ID theft insurance can help you save money in the event of fraud.

Remember, not all identity theft insurance services are the same. Before purchasing a policy, ensure that you understand exactly what it covers, how quickly your coverage begins, and what services it offers. Some insurance plans provide you with a trained case manager to help manage the fraud. Others simply cover the legal or out-of-pocket costs and lost wages involved in the restoration process.

Is an Identity Theft Protection Service Worth It?

Many people wait until they experience identity theft or fraud before investing in identity theft protection. Instead of waiting until disaster strikes, proactively implement a solid defense against cyber-criminals.

That said, identity theft protection services vary widely. Choose an identity theft protection plan that provides comprehensive coverage, including:

• Credit monitoring
• Identity monitoring
• Credit reports from three credit bureaus
• Identity theft insurance coverage
• Identity restoration service
• Dark web surveillance
• Credit alerts
• Identity recovery services

The best identity theft protection plans will not only monitor the web for your information but also help restore your identity if it is hacked. Further, reputable identity theft services help insure you and your family against financial losses that occur because of ID theft.

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* Identity Theft Insurance underwritten by insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group‚ Inc. The description herein is a summary and intended for informational purposes only and does not include all terms, conditions and exclusions of the policies described. Please refer to the actual policies for terms, conditions, and exclusions of coverage. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions.

** The score you receive with Aura/Identity Guard is provided for educational purposes to help you understand your credit. It is calculated using the information contained in your TransUnion or Experian credit file. Lenders use many different credit scoring systems, and the score you receive with Aura is not the same score used by lenders to evaluate your credit.

1https://www.definefinancial.com/blog/identity-theft-credit-card-fraud-statistics/#:~:text=Identity%20theft%20increased%2053%25%20from%202019%20to%202020

2 Child members on the family plan will only have access to online account monitoring and social security number monitoring features. All adult members get all the listed benefits.

*This article is provided by an advertiser and not necessarily written by a financial advisor. Investors should do their own research on products and services and contact a  financial advisor before opening accounts or moving money. Individual results will vary. Foreign companies and investment opportunities may not provide the same safeguards as U.S. companies. Before engaging with a company, research the laws and the regulations around that service, and make certain the company is in compliance. For comprehensive guidance on U.S. investments and financial regulations, visit the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s Investor.gov.