A lot could go wrong if your personal information falls into the wrong hands. From damaged credit scores to mounting debt, thieves can do a lot of financial damage that could cost you a fortune. Luckily, identity theft protection services help to alert you the moment suspicious activity is detected. In the Digital Age, there’s a lot to learn about identity theft and how to protect your identity.
Identity theft is the unauthorized use of someone’s personal information. This includes Social Security numbers, credit cards, health insurance and other personal records. After your personal data is exposed during a data breach thieves may be able to make transactions, use your credit and make other risky moves – including applying for loans, get a passport and other fraudulent activity. There are several types of identity theft including financial, criminal, medical and insurance. Regardless of the theft attempt, the damage could be detrimental.
Identity theft protection services scan databases and websites to regularly search for your personal information. If your identity theft protection provider finds your information used suspiciously, you’ll automatically be alerted via a mobile alert, email or text message. And if you become a victim of identity theft most providers will offer recovery assistance to secure your information from further harm. Identity theft protection services do not prevent your identity from being compromised, but if suspicious activity is detected, you’ll be alerted so you can act quickly.
There are a few ways to self-monitor your personal identity for free or at a low cost such as:
Most self-monitoring identity options range from free of charge to a very low monthly service fee. If you choose to monitor your identity and fall victim to identity theft, IdentityTheft.gov offers help with recovery plans, letters and forms if you choose to monitor your identity or credit using services like Credit Karma, or professional services that don’t offer recovery assistance.
Professional identity theft protection services use a combination of technology and professionals to monitor your personal data. Identity theft protection services offer a variety of plans for most age groups and needs – including children and seniors. Thieves prey on child identities because they can open accounts, take out loans and create a whole new identity that goes undetected for years. Consider freezing your child’s credit until they’re of age to avoid the misuse of their personal identification. Most providers offer plans that include the whole family for $86-$240/yr., depending on the features selected and the number of people monitored. Usually, if you choose to pay the annual price upfront, you’ll receive a discount lower than monthly pricing.
Lower costing plans often only monitor your credit, while more expensive plans also monitor your social security number (SSN), bank and credit card activity, tax records, relating to crimes and neighborhood watch lists.
It’s important to note the two types of identity theft services offered – monitoring and recovery. Monitoring identity theft services look for signs and alert you if your identity is stolen including credit card changes, loan applications and identity trade websites to share stolen information. On the other hand, identity recovery services assist in financial and reputational recovery that include help freezing credit, correcting credit reports, filing police reports and closing accounts opened in your name. Most professional identity monitoring services also offer up to $1 million in recovery costs.
IdentityForce offers 24/7 identity protection support and real-time alerts if suspicious activity is detected by IdentityForce’s Certified Protection Experts. The team will keep a close eye on your information including the selling of your personal data and credit.
If your data is compromised, you’ll receive instant mobile alerts and experts will handle recovery on your behalf including phone calls, letters and an identity theft protection policy up to $1 million. IdentityForce offers free trials for families and businesses and plans start as low as $12.99/mo.
Read more about IdentityForce services, pricing and features.
LifeLock is an industry leader committed to protecting your identity with Norton Security to keep a close watch on your information and devices. With LifeLock, experts will monitor your Social Security Number (SSN), devices and bank accounts. They’re also able to track any crimes in your name and monitor credit reports from all three credit bureaus.
LifeLock’s identity theft technology is designed to scan your account transactions every second to quickly spot any suspicious activity. LifeLock offers a Million Dollar Protection™ Package™ covering up to $1 million in stolen funds, attorney fees and stolen money. Plans for LifeLock coverage start as low as $9.99/mo.
Read more about LifeLock packages, pricing and features.
Identity Guard uses IBM® Watson™ Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect identity threats using predictive analytics and provides recovery assistance. During set-up, you’ll be able to create a Watchlist for Identity Guard to monitor your email address, credit, accounts and phone numbers.
Identity Guard displays all of your personal information on an easy-to-use dashboard, and delivers instant alerts about activity that could be the earliest indication of identity theft or fraud. They’ve been trusted by more than 47 million customers, backed by over 20 years of experience, and plans start as low as $7.20/mo.
Read more about Identity Guard services, pricing and features.
ID Watchdog offers credit monitoring for all three credit bureaus and identity monitoring that regularly checks public records to spot any unfamiliar changes and transactions. This ID theft protection company helps keep your data safe with Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialists (CITRMS) that handle monitoring and identity restoration if you fall victim to ID theft.
ID Watchdog offers $1 million in reimbursement and guaranteed payment for recovery if ID theft happens with an ID Watchdog plan. ID Watchdog is dedicated to fighting identity theft by providing recovery assistance for non-customers that face identity theft and fraud.
Read more about ID Watchdog services, pricing and features.
ADT Identity Protection helps protect your personally identifiable information with 24/7 professional monitoring and instant mobile alerts of suspicious activity. You’ll be able to easily review all alerts and reports using your smartphone and an easy-to-read dashboard.
ADT also offers fraud and ID theft recovery assistance with fraud resolution professionals and up to $1 million in reimbursement insurance. Help protect your information with ADT Identity Protection services starting at $9.99/mo.
Read more about ADT services, pricing and features.
EverSafe analyzes your regular financial behavior, spots any irregular activity and immediately alerts you with an email, text message and notification using the EverSafe mobile app. If hackers get ahold of your identity, EverSafe specialists will work with you to create a recovery plan.
EverSafe offers bank, credit and investment account monitoring for you, your children and special assistance for seniors. You’ll be able to easily monitor all of your family’s individual accounts using one unified dashboard for your convenience.
Read more about EverSafe services, pricing and features.
Why do I need an identity theft protection service?
You should consider identity theft protection if you’re worried about your personal information being stolen – especially in the Digital Age. Identity theft protection services can’t entirely prevent identity theft, but they can detect it quickly, which minimizes the financial toll. If you’ve misplaced your social security card or have been a victim of ID theft, you’ll also want to strongly consider a professional monitoring and recovery service.
How do I know my identity has been compromised?
Without a professional or DIY identity theft protection service, it’s nearly impossible to monitor every website or area where your personally identifiable data could be compromised, but the Federal Trade Commission offered a few common signs to watch out for: – Unauthorized and unexplainable transactions from your accounts – Notices from debt collectors about an unfamiliar debt owed – Bills from providers that you didn’t receive service for – such as medical bills – Multiple tax returns filed on your behalf – A data breach letter from a company you have an account with
What’s the difference between a data breach and identity theft?
During a data breach, hackers release unauthorized personal information on behalf of a company. A result of the data breach can be identity theft when hackers use your personal information without your permission to access bank accounts, take out loans or other risky behavior.
What do I do if I’m a victim of identity theft?
If you fall victim to identity theft there are a few immediate steps to take before creating a recovery plan. IdentityTheft.gov recommends immediately alerting the FTC, filing a report with your local police department, and notifying the company included in the theft. So, if you’re billed for a medical service you didn’t receive notify the medical provider immediately.
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