Credit monitoring services are built to protect your credit score, even when the worst happens. Whether you’re the victim of a sophisticated and targeted hacking campaign or simply have someone swipe your ID from your wallet, identity theft can strike anyone. Many of today’s providers also shield your personal data with identity theft protection to keep an eye on your credit and information and alert you if there’s fraud or other suspicious activities. The best credit monitoring services also notify you when your score changes from all three bureaus so you’re always in the know.
What is Credit Monitoring?
Your credit score is the key to filing applications for new homes, cars and other expenses. It determines your credit worthiness and influences things like the size of a loan that you can apply for or the interest rate that you will have to pay. If cybercriminals get a hold of your Social Security Number (SSN) or other personal data, it’s often easy to file applications for credit cards and more on your behalf. In the long run, it could damage your credit and ability to make big purchases. After all, they are unlikely to want to pay off the expenses that they run up in your name!
Credit monitoring services keep track of your credit score, inquiries and reports from one or all three bureaus. If there’s a change in your credit, your monitoring provider will alert you to look further into the inquiry or change so you can act on the problem before too much damage is done.
Keep in mind that credit monitoring is different from identity protection and doesn’t stop cybercriminals from accessing your credit. If that happens, you must lock or freeze your credit. But monitoring services regularly check for suspicious activity and changes so nothing goes unnoticed.
What to Look for in a Credit Monitoring Service
Before you commit to a credit monitoring service program, here’s what you should look for to find the perfect match for you:
Compare the Best Credit Monitoring Services
 myFICO |  Identity Guard |  Experian IdentityWorks |  Privacy Guard | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Starting monthly cost | $19.95/mo. | $9.95/mo. | $7.50/mo. | $9.99/mo. | $9.99/mo. |
Bureaus monitored | 1-3 | 0-3 | 0-3 | 1-3 | 0-3 |
Reports | Monthly or Quarterly | Annually | Annually | Quarterly | Monthly |
ID theft protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
24/7 customer service | No | Yes | No | No | No |
DIY Credit Monitoring
You can access your credit score and annual credit report from each bureau without a credit monitoring service. Check your bank and account statements regularly to spot changes, and if you see something suspicious you can freeze your credit across all three bureaus for extra security. You can also opt for free services, such as Credit Karma, to check your score and suspicious changes any time. However, you’ll miss out on expert assistance, recovery insurance and other services that could make restoration easier.
Frequently Asked Questions About Credit Monitoring Services
Credit monitoring services make it easy to know immediately if there’s a change in your credit. Without a monitoring service, it’s easy to overlook suspicious changes, inquiries and activity.
Most credit monitoring services will send you an email and mobile alert to alert you of suspicious activity in your name so you’ll know if applications have been filed on your behalf.
The big difference between credit monitoring and identity theft is that credit monitoring only alerts you of credit score changes or inquiries on your behalf. On the other hand, identity theft protection monitors additional personal data including SSN, accounts, social media and more to keep all of your data safe.
Call your credit card lender immediately to report the incident and check all of your other bank or credit accounts. Be sure to change passwords to your accounts immediately. Your lender will also advise other steps to prevent further damage.