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Picture this. You slot your card into the ATM, tap for a withdrawal, and get an error—no funds. You whip out your phone to log into the bank’s app, but your credentials aren’t accepted. OK, maybe you forgot the password, so you tap the link to get an emailed reset code. But you can’t log into your email. Your identity has been stolen. Thieves own your email, your bank account, and the cash from that account. Whether it started with a data breach or a weak password, you’re in trouble. If that scenario sounds alarming, consider using an identity theft service. You’ll get a warning at the first sign of compromised data, as well as aid in recovery if your identity is stolen.Identity protection can be expensive, and some consumers aren’t happy spending money every year on a service they may never need to use. On top of that, we have no way to test the efficacy of identity theft remediation services. Unlike with many products, we can’t say, “My identity was stolen, and Product X did a better job than Product Y with recovering it.”That being the case, we’ve chosen to focus mainly on identity theft protection services that also include local security protection for your devices—mostly, but not all, security suites. Some services here lean more toward device protection, while others emphasize ID protection. These factors, the wide range of prices, and other considerations discussed below will determine which service is best for you. Find our best picks below, followed by a detailed guide to understanding identity theft protection services.
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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Norton 360 With LifeLock
Best Overall Identity Protection
Why We Picked ItLifeLock may well be the first identity theft protection service you ever heard of. Combine that history with Norton’s long-time security success and you’ve got Norton 360 With LifeLock, a winning combo. By itself, Norton 360 Deluxe is an Editors’ Choice suite, and your subscription also gets you full-scale licenses for Norton’s VPN along with 100GB of online storage for your backups.Norton offers a broader collection of identity protection features than many, though you’ll pay extra if you want every last feature, or if you want to protect more devices. Advanced-level protection costs $100 per year more and raises your device count to 10. At the Ultimate+ level, another $100 per year, you get the maximum identity protection with no limits on the number of devices you can protect.Who It’s ForDo you prefer going with a known and tested brand over a new company, one that might not stand the test of time? The Norton and LifeLock names are so well established, they even advertise on television!
PROS
LifeLock identity theft mitigation
Excellent device-level security protection
Full VPN with no bandwidth limits
Supports Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS
Identity theft remediation guarantee
CONS
Security protection is limited on iOS devices
No parental control or backup for macOS
Cannot actually prevent identity theft
SPECS
Name
Value
Identity Theft Remediation
Dark Web Monitoring
$1 Million Insurance
Monthly Credit Score
Antivirus
VPN
Full
Password Manager
Flag Anomalous Transactions
Social Media Tracking
Data Broker Opt-Out
Learn More
Norton 360 With LifeLock Review
Bitdefender Ultimate Security
Best for Device-Level Protection
Why We Picked ItBitdefender Total Security is our Editors’ Choice winner for feature-rich security mega-suite; Bitdefender Ultimate Security adds comprehensive identity theft protection, as well as Bitdefender’s password manager and a no-limits edition of Bitdefender’s VPN. Once you have all its components installed, it offers effective protection for your devices running Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS. The independent labs agree—they’ve tested Bitdefender on Windows, macOS, and Android, and given it top marks across the board.As for identity theft protection, Bitdefender has partnered with TransUnion to monitor the Dark Web for your personal data and manage credit-related activities such as checking your credit score and applying a credit freeze. An unusual Credit Simulator gives you an idea of what effect a variety of actions would have on your credit score, things like paying off all your cards, opening a new auto loan, or declaring bankruptcy. If the monitoring system reveals misuse of your personal data for identity theft, you can quickly connect with a dedicated resolution specialist who will help you through recovery.Who It’s ForAt the device-protection level, Bitdefender is known for packing in myriad features while avoiding making demands on your attention. Sounds good? Then you’ll appreciate it even more when combined with comprehensive identity theft protection.
PROS
Excellent device-level security
Supports Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS
Thorough Dark Web monitoring
Dedicated resolution specialists help remediate identity theft
Identity theft insurance
CONS
Password manager lacks advanced features
Cannot actually prevent identity theft
SPECS
Name
Value
Identity Theft Remediation
Dark Web Monitoring
$1 Million Insurance
Monthly Credit Score
Antivirus
VPN
Full
Password Manager
Flag Anomalous Transactions
Social Media Tracking
Data Broker Opt-Out
Learn More
Bitdefender Ultimate Security Review
Avast One Platinum
Best for Small Families
Why We Picked ItAvast One Platinum splits neatly into three parts. The Avast One cross-platform suite protects your devices, up to 30 of them. A 24/7 premium tech support service deals with all your tech problems, from installing new hardware to mastering your favorite apps. As for identity theft protection, it relies on the same partner as Bitdefender Ultimate Security but doesn’t limit its protection to you, the account holder. You can invite up to five family members, and each gets their own dashboard for monitoring credit reports and scores, checking for exposure of private data, and flagging events that could lead to identity theft.Who It’s ForMost advanced security suites let you install protection on a fixed number of devices, from five to 50. On the identity protection side, though, almost all either limit protection to one individual or charge more (sometimes a lot more) to protect other family members. If you want identity protection for your whole family group, Avast One Platinum is an excellent choice.
PROS
Identity theft protection for you and five family members
Device-level security for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows
Excellent antivirus lab scores
24/7 support for all tech problems
Thorough monitoring of credit and data breaches
Dedicated resolution specialists help remediate identity theft
CONS
Device-level protection limited on Android, more so on iOS
Doesn’t add much to security suite features available in free edition
Cannot actually prevent identity theft
SPECS
Name
Value
Identity Theft Remediation
Dark Web Monitoring
$1 Million Insurance
Monthly Credit Score
Antivirus
VPN
Full
Password Manager
Flag Anomalous Transactions
Social Media Tracking
Data Broker Opt-Out
Learn More
Avast One Platinum Review
ESET Home Security Ultimate
Best for Inexpensive Family Protection
Why We Picked ItMost security suites focus on integrating several components and features to support your security and privacy. With its latest offerings, ESET instead creates bundles of separate apps and services. ESET Home Security Ultimate, the best of the bunch, includes a security suite, a password manager, and a VPN, as well as a full identity protection system powered by partner TransUnion. Most competitors protect just one identity or charge extra for family protection. ESET’s base subscription covers you, your partner, and any number of children, making it a great family solution.Avast and Bitdefender rely on the same partner as ESET for their identity protection, but they offer more identity features. Avast’s basic protection and Bitdefender’s extra-cost Plus level track your financial accounts and alert you of anomalous transactions. Neither this feature nor other enhancements, such as criminal records tracking, come with ESET’s identity system. Who It’s ForESET’s underlying device-level protection doesn’t quite reach the level of most competitors. Still, if money is tight and you need to shield the identities of your entire family, ESET is a real bargain.
PROS
Excellent price for family identity protection
Global VPN coverage
Good antivirus lab scores
Cross-platform password manager
CONS
Identity protection lacks advanced tracking
Poor score in hands-on malware protection test
Annoying firewall pop-ups
Password manager lacks secure sharing and inheritance
SPECS
Name
Value
Identity Theft Remediation
Dark Web Monitoring
$1 Million Insurance
Monthly Credit Score
Antivirus
VPN
Full
Password Manager
Flag Anomalous Transactions
Social Media Tracking
Data Broker Opt-Out
Learn More
ESET Home Security Ultimate Review
IDShield
Best for Large Families
Why We Picked ItProtecting your own identity against abuse is important, but you could face damaging fallout if your spouse or partner suffers identity theft. And don’t think your kids are immune. All too many youths reach their majority only to find they already have a credit history—a dismal and fraudulent one. IDShield’s family plan costs just a trifle more than Norton’s top tier plan for individual protection, but it covers you, your partner, and any number of minor children. Upgrading to a family plan also raises the number of devices you can protect from three to 15.Spinning up a full-blown security suite from scratch would be tough. Instead, IDShield partners with Trend Micro for device-level protection. In the crowded security suite field, Trend Micro Maximum Security isn’t an Editors’ Choice winner, but it’s still excellent security for your Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. You also get licenses for Trend Micro’s VPN and password manager products.Who It’s ForIf you’re a carefree single, IDShield may not be a good fit. But if you want protection for not only your own identity but the identities of your partner and kids, it’s the best choice.
PROS
Million-dollar identity recovery guarantee
Security suite, VPN, and password manager from Trend Micro
Good price for family plan
Thorough Dark Web monitoring
Watches for anomalous financial transactions
CONS
Reputation management incorrectly flags many photos and posts
Requires creating three or more login profiles
Password manager lacks advanced features
SPECS
Name
Value
Identity Theft Remediation
Dark Web Monitoring
$1 Million Insurance
Monthly Credit Score
Antivirus
VPN
Full
Password Manager
Flag Anomalous Transactions
Social Media Tracking
Data Broker Opt-Out
Learn More
IDShield Review
IDX Complete
Best for Protecting Your Privacy
Why We Picked ItIDX Complete focuses more on your privacy than on security issues. It doesn’t attempt antivirus protection, but it will remove your personal data from data broker websites. Its active Do Not Track system prevents advertisers and others from tracking your online activities. The SocialSentry feature watches for fraud and problematic content on your social media accounts. A VPN component ensures the privacy of your online connections, and a password manager lets you protect all your accounts with strong, unique passwords.IDX Complete’s identity monitoring covers a lot of ground. Naturally it scrutinizes the Dark Web for traces of your personal info, but it also watches for things like misuse of your Social Security Number and unauthorized change of address requests. It also monitors your credit with all three bureaus. And if the worst happens, you get unlimited identity theft recovery help, backed by the standard $1 million insurance.Who It’s ForMaybe you’ve already settled on your favorite security suite and you don’t want to switch just to get identity protection. IDX Complete works alongside that suite, providing privacy-specific protection features as well as identity monitoring and identity theft recovery.
PROS
Million-dollar insurance for ID recovery expenses
Credit monitoring features catch ID theft early
Includes VPN, password manager, tracker blocking
Alerts to Dark Web exposure of personal data
Automates personal data collection opt-outs
CONS
Expensive
Personal data entry somewhat awkward
VPN features limited
SPECS
Name
Value
Identity Theft Remediation
Dark Web Monitoring
$1 Million Insurance
Monthly Credit Score
Antivirus
VPN
Full
Password Manager
Flag Anomalous Transactions
Social Media Tracking
Data Broker Opt-Out
Learn More
IDX Complete Review
McAfee+
Best for Multi-Device Households
Why We Picked ItJust how many desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones do you own? What about the other members of your household? With McAfee+, you can install security protection on all those devices, whether they run Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS. It even protects your Chromebooks and ARM-based laptops. You also get a VPN with no limits on bandwidth or server choices, a simple password manager, and more. Cross-platform parental control is available for a small added fee.McAfee+ comes in three flavors, Premium, Advanced, and Ultimate. You get simple Dark Web monitoring at all three levels, as well as a scan that finds your personal data profile on people search sites. When you choose Advanced or Ultimate, your protection expands to full scale identity theft monitoring and remediation, including credit monitoring, credit score tracking, and the option to lock or freeze your credit. If you fall afoul of identity thieves, McAfee’s Licensed Restoration Experts will help you with recovery, backed by a million-dollar guarantee.Who It’s ForBetween yourself, your partner, and your kids, your household has enough devices to merit its own transcontinental internet cable. McAfee Total Protection is just what you need to install security on that army of devices and also get yourself protected from identity theft.
PROS
Identity protection and remediation available
Protects all devices in your household
Helps remove abandoned online accounts
Effective social media privacy control
Excellent antivirus lab test scores
No-limits VPN
CONS
Missed one hand-modified real-world ransomware attack
Familiar features no longer present
Children’s identity features limited in Family Plan
SPECS
Name
Value
Identity Theft Remediation
Dark Web Monitoring
$1 Million Insurance
Monthly Credit Score
Antivirus
VPN
Full
Password Manager
Flag Anomalous Transactions
Social Media Tracking
Data Broker Opt-Out
Learn More
McAfee+ Review
Buying Guide: The Best Identity Theft Protection Software for 2024
Is It Worth Paying for Identity Theft Protection?Subscribing to a standalone identity theft protection service is like buying insurance. You put money into it every year but hope you never have to use it. You might begin to think those payments are just wasted. However, when you combine such protection with security software for your devices, the financial picture looks decidedly better.For example, LifeLock has three different monitoring tiers crossed with three levels of family protection. At each of the nine possible combinations, adding Norton 360 adds only $10 and $30 to the price. It’s like you’re getting the security suite for a Crazy Eddie-style bargain. Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection Standard runs you $129.99 per year, but for $50 more, you get award-winning Bitdefender Total Security along with Bitdefender’s VPN and password manager. If you want something tangible for your money, opt for identity protection combined with standard device security.What Are the Best Identity Theft Protection Apps for Families?Monitoring and protecting your own identity is smart, but if your spouse or partner has their identity stolen, you’ll suffer, too. Identity protection services handle the need for family protection in a variety of ways. At the moment, Bitdefender just offers individual protection, though a family plan is in the works. McAfee+ originally protected just individuals, but in January 2023, the company added a family option, with full protection for two adults and limited credit monitoring for four children. Adding family protection raises the subscription cost by $80 at the Advanced level and almost twice that at the Ultimate tier.Norton 360 With LifeLock and IDX Complete both offer a family plan that covers you, your partner, and up to five children; Norton also weighs in with a plan for just you and your partner. There’s not much volume discount in either. Norton’s two-adult plan just costs twice as much, while IDX Complete’s pricing for the family plan is just a few dollars short of double the individual price. Norton has the distinction of the very highest pricing level. If you opt for the partner plus kids plan at the top Ultimate Plus tier, you’ll pay $819.99 per year.IDShield comes out as a leader for family protection. A family license costs twice as much as an individual license but offers identity protection for you, your partner, and all your minor children. Think your kids don’t need identity protection? Wait until they turn 18 and discover someone, somewhere, has utterly ruined their credit.Avast One Platinum relies on the same third-party partner that Bitdefender uses. However, where a Bitdefender subscription protects just you, Avast lets you add up to five family members. Each member gets a personal dashboard to track their own credit and personal data. And with 30 licenses to install the security suite component, your family can protect all their devices.The same third-party partner that backs Bitdefender and Avast also provides identity protection for ESET Home Security Ultimate. ESET’s protection matches what you get at Bitdefender’s entry-level tier, lacking some advanced features such as tracking anomalous financial transactions. Like Avast, it protects family members, not just individuals, and its price is less than two-thirds of what you pay for Avast. ESET also specifically promises to continue its efforts even after a covered family member passes away.The Best Overall Identity Monitoring ServicesSome features are just a given in all sensible identity theft protection services. They all monitor the dark web to make sure your data isn’t turning up there. They also include a system to help you deal with the consequences of a lost or stolen wallet and have support experts standing by at all times, experts who will work with you as long as it takes to recover from identity theft. And they all back their remediation promises with at least $1 million of insurance.Most of these services partner with a credit bureau to offer credit monitoring, a monthly credit score, and an easy way to freeze your credit. Some extend coverage to all three bureaus for an extra cost. A few offer analysis of your score, showing the important positive or negative factors. The unusual Credit Simulator in Bitdefender Ultimate Security, ESET Home Security Ultimate, and Avast One Platinum lets you see what would happen to your score if, say, you paid off a credit card or declared bankruptcy.
It’s Surprisingly Easy to Be More Secure Online
All the services except ESET will warn you of unauthorized change-of-address attempts. A few go further and track any attempts at illicit changes to your home title. You’ll get a warning from many if someone tries to open a new account in your name. Others watch your bank and credit accounts and flag anomalous transactions.When choosing an identity theft protection service, read the details very closely. Take note that some features may require a specific higher tier of service. For example, change-of-address warnings and anomalous transaction alerts require Bitdefender’s Plus level. Home title monitoring and tracking of retirement accounts only kick in at Norton’s Ultimate Plus level.How Does Identity Theft Insurance Work?All the identity theft remediation services mentioned here back their programs with an insurance policy of at least $1 million. However, that doesn’t mean they’ll cut you a big check. Before signing up, read the fine print.Some services reimburse you for funds directly stolen in an identity theft attack. McAfee used to put a $10,000 cap on such reimbursement but now pledges up to a million if needed. With Norton, the cap depends on your service tier: $25,000 at the Select level, $100,000 at the Advantage level, and a full $1 million at Ultimate Plus. Bitdefender’s Plus level specifically offers up to $50,000 for ransomware recovery.You’re also likely to find caps on reimbursement for specific losses due to identity theft. For example, if you lose your job due to identity theft, the insurance may cover lost wages, but not for long, perhaps $1,500 per week for eight weeks or $2,000 per week for five weeks. Caps also apply to travel expenses, childcare and elder care expenses, and notary fees.
Recommended by Our Editors
Note that Norton doesn’t impose such caps or sub-limits, and at its top tier, it promises $1 million each for remediation, reimbursement of stolen funds, and compensation for personal expenses, for a total of $3 million.Don’t imagine identity theft insurance will cover money lost due to your own negligence. If you give your bank account details to your new bestie, who then turns around and robs you, that’s your own fault. You’re also likely to find requirements that you notify the service promptly, file any appropriate police reports, and provide the remediation experts with any necessary documents.So, if that $1 million (or more) in insurance money mostly doesn’t go to you, where does it go? The service uses that fund to pay lawyers, investigators, and other experts to get your life back on track after an identity theft event.Who Has the Best Identity Theft Protection?You don’t need a security suite if you can guarantee you’ll never encounter a virus or other malware. And if you can guarantee nobody will ever steal your identity, you don’t need an ID theft protection service. But you can’t. The question is, what level of risk are you comfortable with?Most of us have come to accept that the protection of a security suite (or at least an antivirus) is necessary for our devices. It’s an easy decision. Read some reviews, buy the product of your choice, install it, and forget it. Our Editors’ Choice in this field is Norton 360 With LifeLock. Yes, it’s expensive, especially at the higher levels. However, the identity protection component is a mature product that covers all the bases.Buying into an identity theft protection plan requires more of an investment of your time and effort. In most cases, to get the service’s benefits, you must sit down and enter the personal information you want to protect, the bank accounts you want to monitor, and more. And you have to trust the identity theft protection service won’t go rogue and make off with the data you’ve supplied. Once you get through that initial hurdle, you won’t be blindsided by an identity thief. You’ll get an early warning from the monitors, and experts will work with you to fix the problem before it ruins your life.
