Security is Everyone's Job
ID monitoring software and services are tools that help you protect your personal information from identity theft and fraud.
Credit monitoring: This involves checking your credit reports and scores regularly for any changes or suspicious activity, such as new accounts, inquiries, or delinquencies. Some services also provide access to your credit reports and scores from one or more of the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).
Identity monitoring: This involves scanning various databases and sources for your personal information, such as your name, address, phone number, email, Social Security number, bank accounts, and more. Some services also monitor the dark web, where stolen data is often sold or traded by cybercriminals.
Identity alerts: This involves notifying you via email, text, phone, or app when your personal information is detected or compromised by identity thieves. Some services also provide guidance on how to respond to identity theft incidents and prevent further damage.
Identity recovery: This involves assisting you with restoring your identity and credit if you become a victim of identity theft. Some services also provide insurance or reimbursement for any losses or expenses you may incur due to identity theft, such as legal fees, lost wages, or fraudulent charges.
LifeLock: This is one of the most popular and comprehensive ID monitoring services, with plans ranging from $9.99 to $29.99 per month. It offers credit monitoring from all three bureaus, identity monitoring from over a billion sources, identity alerts, identity recovery, and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance. It also includes Norton 360 antivirus software and VPN for device protection.
IdentityForce: This is another highly rated ID monitoring service, with plans starting from $8.33 to $16.67 per month. It offers credit monitoring from all three bureaus, identity monitoring from thousands of sources, identity alerts, identity recovery, and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance. It also includes social media monitoring, anti-phishing software, and mobile app protection.
Identity Guard: This is a well-known ID monitoring service, with plans starting from $6.67 to $16.67 per month. It offers credit monitoring from one or three bureaus, identity monitoring from various sources, identity alerts, identity recovery, and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance. It also uses IBM Watson artificial intelligence to analyze and predict identity theft risks.