8 Best Identity Theft Protection Options

Identity theft can happen to anyone. If someone gets your personal information, they can open new credit cards, take out loans or even file a tax return in your name. We compared the top identity theft protection services based on cost, coverage and features to help you find the right one.

Key Takeaways

• Pick a service that matches your biggest risks, whether that means financial account monitoring with LifeLock, all-in-one coverage from Aura or budget-friendly protection from Identity Guard starting at $7.50 a month.

• Strong plans cover more than credit alerts — look for three-bureau monitoring, fast notifications, dark web scans and a dedicated specialist who handles recovery if your identity is stolen.

• Before you pay, freeze your credit at all three bureaus for free, turn on two-factor authentication and pull your reports at AnnualCreditReport.com. Add a $15 to $20 monthly plan only if you have a family, multiple accounts or past fraud.

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors

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LifeLock: Best for Financial Identity Theft Protection

LifeLock monitors your bank accounts, 401(k), and investment accounts for signs of identity theft. It also flags Buy Now Pay Later purchases and payday loans taken out in your name. Family plans cover up to two adults and up to 10 children.

Plan Costs:

• Core: $10.42/mo billed annually

• Advanced: $16.67/mo billed annually

• Total: $29.17/mo billed annually

Pros:

• Total plan includes 401(k) and investment monitoring, home title monitoring and up to $3 million in coverage

• Family plans extend identity theft coverage to each family member, including children

• Buy Now Pay Later alerts and payday loan lock included on all plans

Cons:

• Introductory pricing for the first year with higher renewal rates afterward

• Antivirus, VPN, and password manager require a separate Norton 360 bundle

• Three-bureau credit monitoring not available on the Core plan

Aura: Best All-in-One Identity Theft Protection

With Aura, every plan gets the same coverage. You do not have to upgrade to get three-bureau credit monitoring, a VPN, or antivirus. Plans are tiered by the number of people covered, not by features.

Plan Costs:

• Individual: $12/mo billed annually

• Couple: $22/mo billed annually

• Family: $32/mo billed annually

Pros:

• Three-bureau credit monitoring on every plan except for kids

• VPN, antivirus, and password manager included at no extra cost

• Up to $5 million in identity theft insurance on family plans

Cons:

• No identity theft insurance for minors, even on the family plan

• No social media account monitoring

• 60-day money-back guarantee is only available on annual plans

Identity Guard: Best Affordable Identity Theft Protection

Identity Guard is one of the most affordable full-service identity theft protection options on this list. At $7.50 a month, you still get $1 million in insurance, dark web monitoring, and SSN alerts.

Plan Costs:

• Value: $7.50/mo billed annually

• Total: $16.67/mo billed annually

• Ultra: $25/mo billed annually

Pros:

• $1 million in identity theft insurance on every plan including the budget tier

• Dark web monitoring and high-risk transaction monitoring on all plans

• Ultra plan adds social media monitoring, 401(k) monitoring, and home title monitoring

Cons:

• Three-bureau credit monitoring only on Total and Ultra plans

• White glove fraud resolution only on the Ultra plan

• No VPN or antivirus on any plan

IDShield: Best for Identity Theft Recovery

IDShield takes a different approach to identity restoration. Rather than assigning a customer service agent, the company puts a licensed private investigator on your case and works until your identity is fully restored.

Plan Costs:

• Individual 1-bureau: $14.95/mo 

• Individual 3-bureau: $19.95/mo

• Family 1-bureau: $29.95/mo

• Family 3-bureau: $34.95/mo

Pros:

• Licensed private investigator-led restoration

• Up to $3 million in identity theft insurance

• Social media monitoring included on all plans

Cons:

• No annual billing discount

• No free trial or money-back guarantee mentioned on their site

IdentityForce: Best for Credit-Based Identity Theft Detection

IdentityForce is owned by TransUnion, one of the three major credit bureaus. It provides daily TransUnion credit reports and three-bureau monitoring on its top plans.

Plan Costs:

• UltraSecure: $16.67/mo billed annually

• UltraSecure+Credit: $29.16/mo billed annually

• UltraSecure+Credit Family: $33.33/mo billed annually

Pros:

• Backed by TransUnion with direct access to credit data

• Daily credit reports and a credit score simulator included

• Up to $2 million in insurance on the family plan

Cons:

• No credit bureau monitoring on the base UltraSecure plan

• VPN only available on mobile, not desktop

Bitdefender: Best Identity Theft Protection for the Cost

Bitdefender includes white glove restoration, social media monitoring, and medical ID fraud protection. If your identity is stolen, their U.S.-based experts handle the paperwork and calls until it is resolved.

Plan Costs:

• Standard: $5.83/mo billed annually

• Premium: $8.33/mo billed annually

Pros:

• White glove restoration and 24/7 U.S.-based support on both plans

• Social media monitoring and medical ID fraud protection included

• Up to $2 million in insurance on the Premium plan

• Up to $25,000 each in ransomware and social engineering reimbursement on Premium

Cons:

• Introductory pricing for the first year with different renewal pricing afterward

• Annual billing required, no monthly option

• No family plan available

OmniWatch: Best for Maximum Identity Theft Coverage

OmniWatch focuses on how identity theft actually happens today, with scam detection, access to fraud specialists, and up to $4 million in coverage. If your case can’t be resolved, the company offers a full membership refund.

Plan Costs:

• Standard: $7.99/mo billed annually

• Elite: $14.99/mo billed annually

• Family: $19.99/mo billed annually

Pros:

• Up to $4 million in coverage per adult on the Elite plan, highest on this list

• Make-It-Right Pledge: full refund if your case cannot be resolved

• Expert scam agents available on call, not just customer service representatives

Cons:

• Newer brand with less name recognition than competitors

• New York residents receive reduced coverage of $3 million

• Fewer independent reviews than more established services

McAfee+: Best for Device and Identity Theft Protection

McAfee is best known for device security, and its identity protection plans build on that with features like monitoring, alerts, and data cleanup tools. Higher-tier options like the Ultimate plan also add full identity theft monitoring and up to $25,000 in ransomware coverage if you want everything in one place.

Plan Costs:

• Premium: $4.17/mo billed annually

• Advanced: $7.50/mo billed annually

• Ultimate: $16.67/mo billed annually

Pros:

• 401(k), investment, and loan transaction monitoring on Ultimate

• Bank and credit card transaction monitoring

• Personal data cleanup scans and removes your info from data broker sites

Cons:

• Higher-tier plans are required for the most comprehensive identity protection features

• Introductory pricing for the first term with different renewal pricing afterward

How To Pick Identity Theft Protection Services 

The best identity theft protection services share a few key features. Here is what to look for before you commit to a plan.

• What gets monitored? Some plans only watch your credit, but stronger options also track your Social Security number, bank accounts, and activity on the dark web. Coverage across all three credit bureaus is ideal.

• How fast are the alerts? Quick alerts can make a difference. If you don’t find out about suspicious activity until hours later, the damage may already be done.

• What happens if your identity is stolen? A dedicated specialist who handles recovery for you is worth more than a plan that just sends you a checklist.

• How much does the insurance actually cover? Most plans advertise up to $1 million but check what is included. Stolen funds, legal fees, and lost wages are not always part of the policy.

• Does the price make sense for your situation? A basic plan can be enough if you’re just looking for simple monitoring. But if you have multiple accounts, a family, or assets like a home or 401(k), it may be worth paying for a higher tier.

You have likely found the right service if it covers your biggest risks, alerts you quickly, and gives you real support without paying for features you don’t need.

Is Identity Theft Protection Worth It? 

Identity theft protection can be helpful, but it is not necessary for everyone. These services do not prevent fraud. They monitor for warning signs and alert you after the fact.

You can do a lot on your own for free. You can freeze your credit, check your reports and place fraud alerts at no cost.

A paid service makes sense if you have already dealt with identity theft, want coverage for your kids, manage multiple financial accounts, or know you will not monitor things yourself. For most people, a $15 to $20 per month plan with three-bureau monitoring and $1 million in coverage is the right balance.

Beyond a paid service, these steps are free and make a real difference:

• Freeze your credit with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. It is free, takes a few minutes, and blocks anyone from opening new accounts in your name.

• Enable two-factor authentication on your financial accounts.

• Check your credit report for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.

• Report identity theft immediately at IdentityTheft.gov for a free personalized recovery plan.

Key Terms

• Identity theft: Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal or financial information without your permission to commit fraud.

• Credit freeze: A credit freeze is a free security measure that blocks prospective creditors from accessing your credit file.

• Fraud alert: A fraud alert tells creditors to verify your identity before opening a new account, issuing another card or increasing your credit limit.

• Credit report: A credit report is a statement showing your credit activity, payment history and current credit accounts.

• Credit monitoring service: A credit monitoring service is a paid service that watches your credit reports and alerts you to changes.

Sources:

• Federal Trade Commission: What To Know About Identity Theft

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: What is a credit freeze or security freeze on my credit report?

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: What do I do if I think I have been a victim of identity theft?

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: What is a credit report?

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Credit reports and scores key terms

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors

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