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Best Overall
Backed by advanced AI technology
Real-time credit and banking alerts
$1 million insurance with stolen funds reimbursement
Top 10 Highest Ranked Identity Theft Protection for 2023
Your identity is critical to protect. It is much easier and safer to work towards preventing identity theft than trying to fix it later. Luckily, different programs exist to provide support and guidance to you. Most do the work for you, alerting you of a concern when one happens. With a wide range of options available today, these are the best identity theft protection options for seniors.
How We Chose Our List of the Best Identity Theft Protection
We compiled a list of some of the most well-known identity theft protection services on the market and narrowed down that initial list to the top 11 based on reviews, reputation, customer service ratings, user feedback, protection offered as well as many other factors. The final 11 we ranked based on how well they catered to the senior market. Seniors are very often targeted as potential identity theft victims, so we made sure our rankings reflected the importance and effectiveness of protecting senior citizens.
14
Services considered
8
Experts consulted
10
Services selected
12
Hours of research
1. Identity Guard®
Overview
Founded by Intersections, Inc. in 1996, Identity Guard is making ground-breaking strides with customers seeking intensive identity theft protection in today’s modern world. This reliable company utilizes the most recognizable artificial intelligence program known as IBM® Watson™.1 Identity Guard has been recognized by the Online Trust Alliance and Online Trust Audit for numerous consecutive years for having top-notch business practices.
The technology behind Identity Guard is its biggest benefit, but it also offers the features you need such as risk management score information, and Social Security monitoring along with credit and ID monitoring. With $1 million in insurance along with U.S.-based professionals, this is an excellent overall choice.
Real Time Alerts for Credit and Banking Information
Credit Monitoring by Three Bureaus
IBM Watson Intelligence
Social Security and ID Monitoring
Risk Management Score Information
Computer Data Protection
Dark Web Monitoring
US Based Case Managers
24/7 Customer Support and Restoration Specialists
$1 Million Insurance with Stolen Funds Reimbursement
Anti-Phishing Mobile App
Cons
Higher Tier Individual Plans Can Be Pricey
Cheaper Plans Offer Limited Protections
Pricing
Identity Guard’s individual plans range from $8.99 to $29.99 per month, and family plans range from $14.99 to $39.99 monthly. However, there are nice discounts for customers paying annually, and family plans cover every household member for one low price. Additional services offered by the company include notifications concerning bank account takeovers, high-risk transactions, new account requests, and even a social insight report.
The higher cost is worthwhile to most seniors because of the high-level of protection here. It is well-recommended for those who want hands-off protection that you don’t have to worry about having to manage. Paying more for comprehensive coverage is beneficial here.
The Bottom Line
For seniors who may not be worried about costs, but who want comprehensive, high-tech protection for their investments, Identity Guard is the route to take.
Being in business since 2005, LifeLock has earned the top reputation as a leader amid the identity protection services business. With more than 4.5 million members, they offer proven services and a full suite of benefits and award-winning 24/7 member support and U.S.-based restoration specialists.
Pro Tip:
Pro Tip: Check out our LifeLock review to learn more about this popular identity theft provider.
LifeLock offers key features, such as a money-back guarantee, along with tools such as credit bureau monitoring, USPS address change service, and lost wallet protection. The company also does an excellent choice of providing coverage for all losses suffered if ID theft occrs including legal defense and out-of-pocket expenses****.
Proprietary Alerts for Credit, Investment and Bank Accounts
Reimbursement of Stolen Funds
Compensation for Personal Expenses
Up to $1 Million in Protection
Lost Wallet Protection
USPS Address Change Verification
Coverage is Available for Experts and Lawyers
60-Day Money Back Guarantee
Social Media Monitoring
Cons
Priority Live Support Available on Upper Tier Package Only
Pricing
LifeLock features three identity theft protection packages ranging from $9.99 per month to $23.99 per month for the first year of service and includes Norton Internet Security for up to five devices. LifeLock Junior can be added to packages for $5.99 per month, and discounts are available for those paying annually for services. Additional perks of LifeLock include the ability to receive alerts concerning fictitious identity creation, sex offender reports, bank takeover, and new account attempts and data breaches.
With the addition of antivirus service, the cost for LifeLock is quite reasonable. For seniors, these prices are about average or better for perhaps the best level of ID protection available.
The Bottom Line
Seniors can appreciate a few key things about LifeLock – the app is easy to use, there is support for up to $1 million worth of losses****, and it offers credit monitoring protection. It also provides alerts about financial and investment account changes, which can help secure your portfolio long-term.
*LifeLock does not monitor all transactions at all businesses. **Terms apply to all LifeLock plans. ***The credit scores provided are VantageScore 3.0 credit scores based on data from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion respectively. Any one bureau VantageScore mentioned is based on Equifax data only. Third parties use many different types of credit scores and are likely to use a different type of credit score to assess your creditworthiness. ****Stolen Funds Reimbursement and Expense Compensation, each with limits of up to $1 million for Ultimate Plus, up to $100,000 for Advantage and up to $25,000 for Select, when purchased in Norton 360 with LifeLock plans. And up to $1 million for coverage for lawyers and experts if needed, for all plans. Benefits under the Master Policy are issued and covered by United Specialty Insurance Company (State National Insurance Company, Inc. for NY State members). Policy terms, conditions and exclusions at: LifeLock.com/legal.
3. Aura
Founded in 2019, Aura is one of the newest identity protection and online safety platforms to enter the market. In under five years, it’s become a leader in the industry and one of the most comprehensive services on our list. In fact, its biggest selling point is that it has everything you need under one platform: identity theft, credit, and financial protection, along with antivirus software, VPN usage, and child protection — it has it all.
Aura also comes with some interesting features that you may not find with other platforms, like a family plan that keeps you and your loved ones connected and safe. Parents (or grandparents) have more control over what their kids are doing online, and even the lowest price point comes with sizable coverage ($1 million starting point). All to say, if you want a simple solution that has everything you need to stay protected online, this is the platform for you.
All-in-one solution with comprehensive coverage and services
Family plan features that can help your family stay connected to your online usage, credit, and finances
Real-time fraud alert notifications
24/7 customer support
Parental controls for internet
One-on-one access to a remediation member if you’re a victim of fraud or identity theft
Antivirus software
VPN
Password manager solution
14-day free trial
Cons
More expensive than some competitors
Family features accessible only through upgraded plan
Pricing
Aura has three plans with three price points. The individual plan is $15 per month, the couple plan is $29 per month, and the family plan is $50 per month. You can get at least 20 percent off each plan when you pay in full for a one-year subscription. What’s great about Aura’s plans is that even the individual plan, its cheapest option, comes with robust coverage ($1 million in identity theft insurance) and a wide range of protection.
The cost for the couple and family plan is worth it if you want to extend protection to multiple individuals or devices. With the couple plan alone, you can protect up to 20 devices. Between phones, laptops, computers, tablets, and gaming consoles, there are a lot of ways that malicious hackers can try to access your information. So if you have more devices or want to provide protection to more people under the same plan, it’s worthwhile paying for the upgrade.
Bottom Line
Aura’s coverage is extensive and offers excellent bang for your buck. It’s a great option for older adults who want all their bases covered when it comes to online safety, such as protection for credit and identity fraud, proactive monitoring, antivirus features, and a sizable coverage amount. It’s also a great option if you want to look after your kids’ online activity.
The family plan and couple plan allow you to safely share sensitive information, like bills and bank statements, between your family members. If you don’t want to manage your finances or online activity alone, the family plan will also give your kids or loved ones the opportunity to help you oversee your safety needs.
4. IdentityForce
Overview
Now partnered with the company EZShield, IdentityForce has become a force to be reckoned with amid the identity theft protection industry. Having already been in the business for four decades, IdentityForce boasts an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is highly respected and rated by customers.
For seniors, the 24/7 real-time monitoring makes a big difference as does the quality of the customer service team. Add to this the $1 million worth of protection, a fully managed restoration process with certified professionals, and both credit and banking alerts, and you have a well-rounded option for older adults.
Ease of use
Service & Response
Features & Tech
Pricing
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Please scroll to the right for more info.
Pros
24/7 Real-Time Monitoring, Alerts and Live Support
Advanced Detection Technology
Credit and Banking Alerts
Advanced Fraud Monitoring (Dark Web, Government Agencies, etc.)
100% Identity Recovery Guarantee
Nine Tools for Privacy and Credit Monitoring
Stolen Funds Replacement
Million Dollar ID Theft Insurance Coverage Available
Fully Managed Restoration
Cons
More Costly Than Comparable Providers
Must Cancel Manually Post Trial Period
Pricing
IdentityForce offers two protection plans, UltraSecure and UltraSecure + Credit, that are $17.99 to $23.99 per month, or $179.99 to $239.99 per year, respectively. ChildWatch can be purchased additionally, and other included services for both packages include sex offender monitoring, change of address alerts, court record notifications and social media identity monitoring.
Though they cost a bit more, these services are outstanding when it comes to providing seniors with complete coverage in one place. IdentityForce’s comprehensive lineup of tools does add to the costs, but when paid annually, it becomes significantly more affordable overall.
The Bottom Line
Take the trial to find out just how beneficial this service is. Those who want ample monitoring for all needs, along with the ability to have stolen funds restored, this is an excellent choice overall. Another key benefit is the advanced detection technology which may help ward off these risks in the first place.
5. ID Watchdog
Overview
ID Watchdog has been providing identity theft since 2005 and boasts an A+ Better Business Bureau rating. Its advanced systems carefully watch billions of data points to keep your information safe and alert you to suspicious activities with real time alerts via SMS or email. ID Watchdog earns high accolades from consumers and has even been recognized as one of the top identity theft protection companies by the Consumer Federation of America for a number of reasons.
ID Watchdog is comprehensive, offering support for those who already have identity theft risks that they need help with. It also offers non-credit monitoring and offers a 100 percent resolution guarantee, which is not something all companies tend to provide.
Ease of use
Service & Response
Features & Tech
Pricing
Excellent
Above Average
Excellent
Excellent
Please scroll to the right for more info.
Pros
Proprietary ID Theft Detection Technology
Black Market Surveillance
Live Support and Services in Over 100 Languages
Credit Report Monitoring and Score
100% Resolution Guarantee
Three Credit Report Monitoring Available
Cyber Monitoring
Watchdog ID Rehab Services Available for Pre-Existing Identity Theft Events
Non-Credit Monitoring
Cons
Limited Services Compared to Other ID Monitoring Companies
Extra Fee for Using Any of the Pre-Existing Identity Threat Services
Pricing
ID Watchdog has four protection plans available that range in price from $14.95 per month for the Select Individual Plan to $34.95 per month for Premium Individual + Family Plan. However, those opting to pay for services annually can qualify for lower rates: $150 annually for the individual plan and $350 for the family plan. Included services also cover alerts for hacker forums, black market surveillance, public records searches, and they also have Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialists available 24/7 to assist with guaranteed identity restoration and credit corrections.
Pricing is competitive with this service, but its higher level of protection makes it worth paying a bit more for overall. Seniors will find this option well within their budget for the level of security it can offer.
The Bottom Line
Though you pay a bit more for pre-existing identity theft services, for seniors who need it this is an excellent service you cannot find from most other services. Add to this the comprehensive protection and guarantee, and you have an excellent product for most needs.
6. Experian Identity Theft Protection
Overview
Designed as a comprehensive identity tool for consumers, Experian hails from one of the country’s major credit reporting bureaus. Armed with insider knowledge and modern technology, this company is well-armed to help customers face most any violation of personal information intrusions. Replete with identity restoration tools, complementary monitoring from all three primary credit reporting bureaus, and a dedicated team of restoration specialists, Experian is an ideal choice for seniors seeking protection from scammers.
With features such as a 30-day free trial, it is worth taking a closer look at what Experian can offer users, especially with its guaranteed resolutions.
Ease of use
Service & Response
Features & Tech
Pricing
Excellent
Above Average
Above Average
Above Average
Please scroll to the right for more info.
Pros
Social Security Monitoring
Identity Theft Insurance Up to $1 Million
Lost Wallet Assistance
Social Media Monitoring
Identity Theft Monitoring and Alerts
Dark Web Monitoring
100 Percent Identity Restoration
Credit Monitoring and Alerts
Bank Account and Credit Takeover Attempts
30-Day Risk-Free Trial
Basic Free Plan With Credit Score Monitoring
Cons
Family Plans Can Be Expensive
Customers Must Manually Cancel After Trial Period
Pricing
Experian offers easy tools and app interfaces that are simple to set up and use. Customers can receive SMS alerts immediately if any suspicious activity occurs within the scope of their policy’s coverage options. However, there are discounts available for those opting to play for plans annually rather than monthly. Additional services offered by the company include payday monitoring, black market surveillance and change of address verification.
Plans range anywhere from a free Basic Plan to $34.99 per month for the Family Plan, depending on the services requested and the level of service provided. Their most popular package, the Premium Plan, is $24.99 per month.
Older adults will find the middle-of-the-road plans tend to offer the most protection for their needs, and are overall competitive with the services and features offered compared to other companies.
The Bottom Line
It is hard to argue that working with Experian directly can be beat, but the company’s identification protection tools are comprehensive for most customers. Having services such as bank account and credit takeover attempts reported, for example, can give older adults the support they need immediately. Other nice features include the change of address verification (especially if they are moving into an assisted living community) along with the $1 million worth of coverage to be ideal features here.
7. PrivacyGuard
Overview
PrivacyGuard provides numerous tools to help individuals to monitor their identity. It also provides supportive professionals to handle matters such as credit disputes and reports. For those older adults who want an easy to use method for monitoring their personal information and financial data, this is a solid option. It is not as fully featured as other systems, but the simplicity of how it works and how reliable it is makes a big difference in the long term especially for seniors who don’t want to spend a lot of time (or money) managing these concerns.
The company breaks down their services into Identity Theft Protection, Identity Fraud Resolution Support, Identity Protection Education, Digital Device Protection, and Credit Card Protection. For older adults, the identity theft protection is perhaps the best service available. If you have not had any identity theft issues thus far, this service works to provide ongoing support and notifies you if there is a problem. If there is an issue, the fraud resolution team goes to work providing personalized support to you. The company’s system scans credit reports daily and provides for any alerts necessary in real-time. It also provides you with your credit score each month through the CreditXpert Credit Scores too.
Ease of use
Service & Response
Features & Tech
Pricing
Above Average
Above Average
Above Average
Above Average
Please scroll to the right for more info.
Pros
Monitors identity as well as credit
Select from several plan options
Comprehensive tracking tools
Online fraud assistance
$1 million in identity theft insurance provided
Company provides educational resources to help consumers learn about credit and identity theft protection
Lower tier plans are affordable for seniors
Cons
Highest plans are a bit more expensive
No antivirus software included with plans
Limited identity resolution tools
Pricing
PrivacyGuard offers users three options for protection. The first product is PrivacyGuard Identity Protection which is $9.99 per month after the first 14 days. This service provides dedicated ID fraud resolution support, ID verification monitoring, black market website monitoring, Social Security number event tracking, online directory scan, annual public records reports, and online fraud assistance. This package also comes with fewer pre-approved credit card offers, lost and stolen assistance, and $1 million in ID theft insurance.
The second option is the company’s PrivacyGuard Credit Protection. For this service, users pay $19.99 per month after the first 14 days. This service also comes with dedicated ID fraud resolution support. It then offers credit report monitoring and scores for each of the three credit bureaus, 24/7 daily credit monitoring, monthly credit score tracking, a credit card simulator, and financial calculator suite. The company also offers the credit information hotline at this offer for ongoing assistance. This service is less beneficial to seniors unless they are worried about their credit score specifically.
A third option is PrivacyGuard Total Protection. This plan costs $24.99 per month after the first 14 days. It offers each one of the services offered by both other services. This is an ideal choice for most people who want to comprehensively manage all aspects of their identity.
The company also provides users with an introductory offer. It costs just $1 to use the service for the first 14 days. This provides a very easy opportunity to get to know how it works, what it can do for you, and allows you to cancel quickly if you do not like the service.
The Bottom Line
For people who just want to monitor their identity, the PrivacyGuard ID Protection service is a direct, easy to use solution. It is designed to provide users with an outstanding level of support but without a lot of cost. If the company detects a problem, they send an alert to you right away. And, then, the company’s fraud alert team goes to work. They provide outstanding service and a wide range of support as they work with you to dispute claims and facilitate a resolution quickly.
If you find that the activity on your report is not accurate, the company’s fraud support service is always a phone call away – and it is available 24 hours a day to help you no matter what you are up against.
This plan is a stripped-down version of identity theft, but it offers exactly what you need – help knowing when someone opens an account, reports a public record in your name, or tries to change your address. It is possible to register up to 10 credit cards with the system – which is generally more than enough for seniors. It provides up to $1 million worth of coverage, which tends to be the amount recommended by most experts. Overall, the policy is a solution option for those who are looking for a reliable solution for identity theft protection.
8. IDX
Overview
IDX provides identity theft protection for older adults with up to $1 million in reimbursement insurance. There are a few key things that help make this an ideal choice – such as the company’s good reputation and its unlimited help from a certified expert. IDX has provided these services since 2003 under the name MyIDCare, and tends to be a moderately priced option. In 2022, IDX joined ZeroFox and became a publicly traded company.
For older adults, IDX is reliable and well designed to be easy to use. However, it does not provide 24/7 protection which is something some customers want and other services offer. It also does not provide antivirus software as a component of its services. This may put off some buyers. Another nice feature is that it provides 100 percent recovery with a money-back guarantee, which gives users a bit of reassurance should they encounter a problem.
The company’s offering is extensive. Among the services provided through its higher-tier plans are credit monitoring for any address changes or credit inquiries, and CyberScan, a way to track down any instance in which third parties are tapping into your personal information. The company works closely with individuals if there is a breach using its U.S.-based recovery team, a team of trained and certified professionals who provide one-on-one support. With $1 million in legal fees and lost agents for any instance of loss, along with a 100 percent recovery guarantee, this product is a reliable solution overall.
Ease of use
Service & Response
Features & Tech
Pricing
Above Average
Above Average
Above Average
Above Average
Please scroll to the right for more info.
Pros
Competitively priced plans (numerous plans to choose from)
$1 million in identity theft insurance available when needed
Recovery guarantee provided
Unlimited access to a certified expert
Dedicated recovery specialist provided
Credit monitoring and identification protection monitoring
Complete service covering nine types of identity theft
Cons
Highest tier coverage may be too expensive
No 24-hour, 7-day a week coverage provided
Company’s plans do not include any antivirus software
Pricing
The company offers options for individuals and families. For older adults, the individual plan options are ideal. They include IDX Privacy, IDX Identity, and IDX Complete. Here’s a breakdown.
IDX Identity provides single bureau monitoring for $9.95 per month. It includes a dark web CyberScan, $1 million in identity theft insurance, a money-back guarantee, and a fully managed, US-based team. It also offers a monthly recap of account activities, protection advice, scam alerts, and password detection services. Other features include lost wallet coverage, an annual single bureau credit report, court record monitoring, and Social Security fraud monitoring, among others.
IDX Privacy comes with a lot more online privacy and fraud prevention features, but it has fewer monitoring features. You will get dark web monitoring with the Privacy plan, but it doesn’t come with credit monitoring, loan monitoring, or change-of-address monitoring services. If you want to ensure your online activity is secure and don’t think you need to monitor your identity or data, this is the plan for you. The Privacy plan’s standard rate is $12.95 per month.
The IDX Complete plan offers all of these services but does so across all three credit reporting agencies. It costs $32.90 per month. It also provides VantageScore 3.0 credit score, Instant Inquiry Alerts, and Credit Lock by TransUnion. For those who want more control over their credit report, this upgrade is well worth it.
Those who want to cover more than one person can do so using the family plans. They provide the same level of protection for more than one person. The IDX Identity family plan costs $19.95 per month, and the IDX Complete family plan costs $64.99 per month.
The Bottom Line
IDX provides a credit-heavy amount of protection. For older adults who want to simply manage identification, the basic plan may be enough. However, because it is limited to just one credit report, it tends to offer limited protection overall (it is very common for one agency to report information different from another).
Overall customer service is reliable. And, the monitoring services are comprehensive – monitoring for Social Security, medical, security, financial, employment, and driver’s license fraud. The $1 million in coverage is the ideal option and the company will reimburse for most types of out-of-pocket costs associated with the loss of an identity. This includes instances of stolen funds – if done electronically.
One of the best features of IDX is that it provides a guarantee – not all companies do this. The company will refund individuals for up to a full year’s worth of fees if the company fails to remove all adverse matters associated with the identity theft from the customer’s record. With 100 percent recovery guarantee, this provides a nice level of protection for those who may have had concerns in the past and who understand just how hard it is to remove them.
9. Zander Insurance
Overview
As one of the oldest insurance companies in this list, Zander Insurance Group is an overall reliable company. It began providing services in the U.S. in 1925 and began offering its ID Experts services in 2010. Overall, the company is a good choice because it offers a wide range of services at competitive prices (some of the lowest overall ID protection prices available). The company is friendly and dedicated to its customers. It also offers $1 million in insurance protection.
One of the key reasons this Zander Insurance costs significantly less than others is because it does not provide credit monitoring services. For many older adults, this is ideal because it keeps costs low and does not bother them with credit monitoring if they do not use credit often. The company’s products are comprehensive otherwise.
A few other benefits to this company is that it offers unlimited restoration services (they really will work with you to resolve any concerns) and child identity theft protection (in case a senior may be raising or looking after a grandchild, for example).
Ease of use
Service & Response
Features & Tech
Pricing
Average
Average
Above Average
Average
Please scroll to the right for more info.
Pros
Lowest price identity theft solutions, ideal for tight budgets
$1 million in identity theft coverage provided if needed
Expense protection service
Unlimited support for restoration if the company fails to stop risk
Free child protection provided through the family plan
Experienced, company with 93 years of experience
Child identity theft protection available
Cons
Does not provide credit monitoring services (no bureau information)
Limited information online; calling to speak to a rep necessary
Pricing
Zander Insurance Group is affordable, with the Essential Plan starting at $6.75 per month for an individual or $12.90 per month for a family. The Elite Cyber Bundle costs $9.99 per month for an individual and $19.49 per month for a family. Paying for a year upfront reduces these costs even further. With the annual payment discount, it costs just $75 per year for the Essential individual plan or $145 per year for the family plan. For the Elite Cyber Bundle, annual payment brings the cost to $110 per year for individuals and $215 per year for families. Though there are limited options, it is hard to overlook just how affordable this product is for customers on a tight budget who want added protection.
The Bottom Line
Zander partnered with Dave Ramsey to create its identity protection plan. Designed to be a streamlined service, it really works well for those who just want protection without a lot of frills. The company’s services include proactive monitoring and alerts – you receive an alert when there is a change to your personal information detected. It also provides up to $1 million in coverage if you report electronically stolen funds or expenses. This includes your legal costs from any ID theft risk as well as out-of-pocket expenses associated with it.
It protects against most types of ID theft including tax fraud, medical ID theft, financial fraud, child ID theft, employment fraud, and title fraud, among others. While it does not offer credit monitoring, it can tell individuals when something is happening with their financial risks. For seniors, having the 24/7 customer service team available is also important. Even better, the company’s team is located in the U.S. making them easy to reach and overall dependable.
For older adults who may still use credit wisely, the Zander plan may not be the ideal fit. It does not offer any annual reports, credit scores, or bureau monitoring. This means customers will still need to check their credit reports on their own through the recommended AnnualCreditReport.com website. For people who may not use credit heavily, this isn’t much of a problem especially for the cost savings it offers.
10. IDShield
Overview
Though some older people may not instantly recognize it, IDShield is a long-running company that is a component of LegalShield. It’s provided services to U.S. residents since 2001. This company’s coverage is extensive, offering as much as $1 million in insurance coverage. It works with individuals (as well as families) to provide comprehensive monitoring of credit and identification. This is a large company, which makes it a good overall choice for those who want the latest tools and tech upgrades.
A few things help make IDShield a standout. For example, it offers most types of protection including privacy monitoring, security monitoring, and even social media monitoring. If there is a problem, the company’s service works to restore your identity. Other key features include its IDShield Value Password Manager. If necessary, it also offers a consultation service to work with individuals one-on-one to handle specific needs. The company’s service is available 24/7 – which means if there is an emergency they are there to help you right away to restore the problem. The best features include the service guarantee and the company’s reliable recovery services. It does not, however, provide any type of antivirus software as a component of its services.
Ease of use
Equipment
Service & Response
Features & Tech
Pricing
Average
Average
Average
Average
Average
Please scroll to the right for more info.
Pros
24/7 emergency service available if necessary
Choose from individual or family plans (older adults can add dependent grandchildren)
Moderately priced coverage available
Provides up to $1 million in identity theft insurance coverage (the industry standard)
Identity theft resolution experts work one-on-one with victims
Excellent information online about protecting from theft
Limited power of attorney support through pre-paid legal service
Cons
Some plans may be a bit expensive
Pricing
IDShield offers both individual and family plans for coverage. Its products can differ from one state to the next though. A customized quote is available ahead of any purchase and will detail everything the individual needs to know about their coverage. In general, the IDShield Individual plan includes instant alerts for hard inquiries on your credit report, high-risk application, and transaction monitoring, and investment account number monitoring. It also offers complete monitoring – security, privacy, and social media monitoring, along with unlimited consultations. If a problem occurs, the company works to fix it through comprehensive restoration services. And, this plan offers IDShield Vault Password Manager for ample protection.
The Individual plan starts at $14.95 per month to monitor one credit bureau or $19.95 per month to monitor all three credit bureaus. The IDShield Family plan starts at $29.95 per month to monitor one credit bureau and $34.95 per month to monitor all three. It includes you, your spouse or partner, and an unlimited number of dependent children. Child monitoring services are included in this plan.
The Bottom Line
IDShield is the first to report that they provide this type of identity protection to over 1 million people. And, it is clear why people trust them. The company allows individuals to choose a plan right for their needs and, if they ever need to use the restoration services, they work one-on-one with a licensed private investigator along with modern technology to restore any problems that arise. And, with up to $1 million in comprehensive protection for most losses, this is a very flexible option overall.
The company also stands out for its comprehensive monitoring services. Security monitoring focuses on financial information, such as account numbers and lending services. Privacy monitoring is also important, including to seniors, as it helps protect personal information from fraud. Social media monitoring is less of a benefit to most seniors – unless you are very active online – but it aims to provide security against privacy or reputation risks. With a large amount of monitoring protection, it is easy to feel safe with IDShield. Consumers may find the pricing a bit higher than other plans, with limited flexibility in choosing coverage, but this is a reliable company with a solid product.
11. IDnotify
Overview
IDnotify is not as well-recognized as some types of identity theft protection, but it should be on every seniors’ radar. This is a product from Experian, one of the three national credit reporting agencies in the U.S. This is not your typical identification protection tool, though. It aims to be a part of the Experian protection package. It allows members – who are a part of Experian – to obtain protection for their Social Security number and other information. The company provides these services as a component to their plans (Essential, Select, and Premier).
One of the benefits of signing up with this service is that it’s a very fast and easy process. The company sends an alert any time any of your personal data is exposed and detected. This report is called an initial Identity Report. Then, the company works to protect your compromised data – if it is identity theft, the team works to restore your identity right away. The company offers 24/7 protection for individuals. You can always reach them when you need to do so.
Ease of use
Service & Response
Features & Tech
Pricing
Average
Average
Average
Average
Please scroll to the right for more info.
Pros
Moderately priced coverage available
Identity restoration team available when needed
Internet surveillance services provided
Social network monitoring service
Lost wallet service with dedicated specialists
Provided by Experian, a well-trusted credit reporting agency
24/7 protection and monitoring available
$1 million in identity theft coverage
Cons
Some limitations in coverage
Highest tier plan necessary to obtain three bureau coverage
Basic, lowest-cost plan offers limited coverage
Pricing
IDnotify offers three plan options for consumers to select from for their needs. They include the Essential Plan for $9.99 per month, the Select plan for $17.99 per month, and the Premier plan for $25.99 per month.
The Essential plan provides internet surveillance, social network monitoring, identity restoration services and lost wallet services. It’s very basic in terms of coverage and may not work well for older adults who want more protection for their financial information. The Select plan does a better job of this. It provides one-bureau protection along with the previously mentioned services in the Essential plan. It goes further by offering change of address monitoring, court recovers and booking monitoring, and Social Security monitoring. Identity theft insurance is available at this level. The most comprehensive plan, the Premier plan, offers all of these services along with non-credit loan monitoring (such as payday loans), sex offender monitoring, financial account take over and others. It also provides three-bureau protection for you. The Premier plan also offers a monthly VantageScore update. For older individuals who want comprehensive monitoring, this is the best option overall.
The Bottom Line
There are a wide range of benefits to IDnotify. It allows users to lock their Experian credit file if they do not want anyone looking at their credit. It also provides $1 million in identity theft insurance at the Select level. This ensures that any and all losses can be recovered by those who need to file a claim. Users can also trust the Select and Premier plans to offer dark web protections.
Though not the cheapest available option in identity monitoring tools, this is a reliable provider and one that offers a comprehensive level of protection. For seniors, the features such as financial account takeover and lost wallet services make it an excellent choice. And, for those raising a grandchild, you can add child monitoring to any of these packages for an additional $5 per month, or turn it into a family plan for an extra $10 per month.
What Is Identity Theft?
Identity theft is a serious issue around the world today, and the problem only seems to grow as the information age makes it so easy to hack into someone’s personal information. Essentially, identity theft occurs when an unauthorized party utilizes another person’s information, including their name, Social Security number, driver’s license, or financial information to commit a crime or fraud.
Unfortunately, people over the age of 65 are a primary target of identity theft not only through online sources, but by savvy individuals who prey on the elderly through a variety of scams and approaches. Because there are so many ways that older individuals can be taken advantage of, it’s a wise idea to consider the services offered by the best identity theft protection companies and enjoy greater peace of mind.
Why Do Older Adults Need Identity Theft Protection?
When it comes to identity theft, the main goal is to avoid becoming a victim in the first place. However, it’s important to keep in mind that no matter how diligent one is about shredding their mail and keeping online information private that it only takes one slip up—that may not be the victim’s fault whatsoever—for personal information to be compromised.
In fact, in the majority of ID theft incidents, the victim has no idea they’ve been targeted until tremendous damage has been done to their credit and reputation. This is why identity theft protection services can be an invaluable tool. These companies offer comprehensive credit and identification monitoring that alert customers when any suspicious activity is occurring concerning any of their personal information. Such services are highly beneficial for seniors who are at greater risk of becoming a target for scammers.
Why Are Seniors the Targets of Scams?
A sad truth is that nearly 90 percent of senior identity theft scams are performed by a family member. However, they are also targeted frequently by scammers unknown to them. This is due to a number of factors, but primarily because older adults tend to be more trusting and some lack tech skills. Furthermore, people over the age of 65 seem like prime targets because they often have greater home equity and savings, and they are less likely than other demographics to have credit and account monitoring services to protect their identity. There are countless types of schemes aimed to steal senior’s identities today.
Common Identity Scams Targeting the Elderly
Older individuals are often scammed for personal information via email, phone, wire transfer fraud, familiar fraud and even door-to-door advertising. Unfortunately, it only takes a small amount of personal information to steal one’s identity, and with a name, address and social security number alone a scammer has all they need. There are a variety of ways these individuals target seniors today including:
Credit card scams: Scammers often call with “exciting” new credit card offers with zero or low interest rates, and all they need to get you started is a bit of personal information…they may also be offering credit consolidation for a fairly high one-time ‘fee.’ These are typically scams, but the callers seem to know so much information about you that they seem legitimate. Robocalls getting individuals to answer ‘yes’ and ‘no’ questions are becoming more common, and these are designed to be used by scammers to utilize voice signatures to make credit card charges.
Charity scams: Playing on the kindness and generosity of others—particularly after a major disaster occurs locally or nationally—scammers often contact older individuals seeking “donations.” This typically involves giving them your name, address and credit card number, which is ample information to not only make unauthorized charges but to also steal your entire identity.
Internet fraud: There are numerous online internet scams ranging from wire-transfers promising huge payouts for a small investment, to pop-ups and phishing scams that attempt to steal identities through emails and fake websites. There are even viruses that can lock down a victim’s computer until they pay a fee via credit card or wire transfer, which are attempts to get private information.
Health insurance scams: These schemes are easy for predators, as health insurance information and changes are readily available online. Scammers may approach seniors online, via mail, by phone or even come to the home seemingly armed with official company representative information. They often claim to be Medicare personnel and tell seniors they need a new card or to upgrade their policy and request their social security card to ‘process’ paperwork.
Other types of identity theft scams often involve health and beauty products, prescription medications, contests and prizes, social media theft, and too-good-to-be-true investment opportunities.
Watch our video below to learn more about common scams that target older adults.
Key Identity Theft Protection Features Seniors Need Most
Here are several key theft protection options the elderly should look for when considering identity theft monitoring services.
Financial monitoring:This service is a staple of any reputable identity protection company and helps monitor financial actions taking place using the customer’s information. Financial issues like bank transactions, investments, savings accounts, 401K’s and even payday loans can be monitored and clients can receive immediate updates about suspicious activities.
Credit monitoring: Credit monitoring is vital to any identity theft protection service, and look for one that detects changes that occur amid the three major credit bureaus. These services will also often offer credit score reporting depending on the package requested.
Social Security monitoring: Another essential protection plan is to have Social Security monitoring services that utilizes public information, the dark web, and other places where your most private digits may be stored and or sold to the public. They’ll also look for any place that the customer’s social security number may be being fraudulently used.
Identity theft insurance coverage: The majority of ID theft protection services offer some level of stolen funds reimbursement, and premium policies often offer customers a set amount of emergency funds in case their available money and credit has been extended due to a scam or other type of identification or credit theft.
Dark web monitoring: This protection service allows clients to be made aware of potential cyber threats that may be occurring via what is known as the ‘dark web.’ The dark web is a place where scammers and individuals selling illegal goods—such as your private information—do their dirty work these days. Because it is challenging to monitor, the dark web is a hot spot for identity thieves seeking to buy or sell your private information.
Criminal monitoring: There are certain miscreants who steal another’s identification to use if they are facing sex offender registration or to dodge arrest warrants and/or tickets, etc. Criminal monitoring services scour the web and other public information sources and alert customers if their identity has been used for some sort of suspected criminal purpose or to evade legal action.
Social media monitoring: With social media monitoring services, seniors can rest easier knowing that hacker forums, the dark web and most social media sites are being constantly searched with state-of-the-art technology for identity theft concerns. These sites are often scraped for bits of information that can be combined to obtain enough data to steal one’s identity.
Real-time updates: When identity thieves and scammers strike, it’s important that you find out as soon as possible. Real-time updates are a must with any company.
Where to Find Identity Theft Protection Services
The best place to explore and enroll for identity theft protection services is online, but these companies are also available by phone. Occasionally, companies will send out mailings or put up door flyers advertising services. We recommend doing your homework first while keeping these top companies in mind when you need ID theft protection for yourself or a loved one.
While this comprehensive guide for senior identity theft protection covers a wide range of concerns and top-quality solutions, it’s important that you take time to do a bit of research to ensure that the program meets your specific needs. Remember, con artists and identity thieves rely on certain aspects when targeting older adults: that they are unaware of how information can be stolen and used, that they are vulnerable and that they don’t have identity theft security solutions in place. Be aware and be prepared—consider investing in ID protection today.
Written By
Jeff Hoyt
Editor in Chief
Since graduating from Harvard with an honors degree in Statistics, Jeff has been creating content in print, online, and on television. Much of his work has been dedicated to informing seniors on how to live better lives. As Editor-in-Chief of the personal… Learn More About Jeff Hoyt
