Best Identity Theft Protection for 2025

Identity Protection Features

Our tech team has years of experience with LifeLock, and we have become extremely familiar with what they offer. Their most comprehensive plan, Ultimate Plus, offers extensive protection and identity theft resolution services that should cover the needs of most seniors. We got text, phone, and mobile app alerts whenever there was a possible data breach or misuse of our personal information.

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We’ve found that the mobile app is a great option for older adults who want to learn more about how to protect themselves online and off. The app includes tons of tutorials and information about how to keep your information — such as passwords, Social Security numbers, and device access — safe from hackers.

Additional perks of LifeLock include alerts concerning fictitious identity creation, sex offender reports, bank takeover, and new account attempts and data breaches. It also provides alerts about financial and investment account changes, which can help secure your portfolio in the long term. Those features go above and beyond to keep your data safe, especially with the comparatively basic protection offered by providers such as Zander Insurance.

Not all LifeLock plans, however, offer the same degree of protection. The Standard plan is somewhat minimal in its offerings, but you can still get up to $1.05 million in identity theft insurance, along with Social Security number, credit, and financial monitoring. If you’re not on a tight budget, you can get more features with one of the costlier plans, such as:

• Coverage for up to two adults
• Up to $1 million of coverage for legal fees (per adult)
• Up to $1 million in personal expense reimbursement (per adult)
• Up to $1 million in stolen funds reimbursement (per adult)
• Up to $3 million in total coverage
• Three credit bureau monitoring
• Payday loan lock to stop fraudulent high-interest loans
• Alerts for crimes committed in your name
• Social media monitoring
• Financial and investment account monitoring
• Phone number protection
• Home title monitoring

Pricing

LifeLock features three identity theft protection packages ranging from $11.99 to $69.99 per month for the first year of service. The plans include Norton Internet Security for up to five devices. LifeLock Junior can be added to packages for $5.99 per month per child, and discounts are available for annual payments. Having child protection as a paid add-on is a slight drawback, because providers such as Aura and IDShield include child protection in their base coverage for families.

LifeLock isn’t as affordable as Identity Guard or Zander Insurance, but they offer discounts if you pay for a year up front. The annual rates drop to $7.50 per month for the first year of the Standard plan, up to $32.99 per month for the first year of the Ultimate Plus for two adults. That means you can shave off 37 percent to 52 percent of your premium with an annual plan.

The discounts are greatly reduced after the first year of service. The Standard plan, for example, costs $89.99 for the first year, and then $124.99 for each year after that. You’re still getting a discount by paying annually, but it’s far less from the second year onward. With the addition of antivirus services and high reimbursement amounts, though, LifeLock’s cost is quite reasonable.

Customer Feedback

Despite being a leader in the identity theft protection industry, LifeLock has mixed reviews from consumers. Many reviewers praise the excellent mobile app and comprehensive monitoring that keeps you updated on everything from social media scams to suspicious credit card purchases.

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Unlike Identity Guard and Zander Insurance, LifeLock doesn’t have U.S.-based customer service. Instead, they outsource their customer service to other countries, and many reviews complain about having difficulty communicating with representatives. Some claim that it’s not always easy to reach a positive resolution over the phone.

Identity Protection Features

The basic Value plan from Identity Guard is solid for older adults who just want simple protection with up to $1 million in identity theft insurance, data breach notifications, monitoring of high-risk financial transactions, an online password manager, and a safe internet browsing tool. Plans also come with access to a U.S.-based customer-care team — something you won’t get with LifeLock — and an easy-to-use mobile app for instant notifications and alerts.

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In our experience, you get the most bang for your buck if you upgrade to the Total or Ultra plans (especially the latter). Some of the most useful protection features included in the higher-tier plans include:

• Three-bureau monitoring
• Comprehensive bank account monitoring
• Fraud resolution with a personal case manager
• Social media monitoring
• Retirement and investment accounts monitoring
• Home title and change of address status
• Monitoring of criminal activity and sex offenders in your area
• Monthly credit score check and Experian credit lock

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. There are also discounts for customers who are willing to pay for a year of service up front, and family plans cover every household member for one low price. Currently, the annual discount ranges from $7.50 to $25 per month for individual plans and $12.50 to $33.33 for family plans. That means you can save 16 percent by opting for annual payments. Family plans cover up to five adults and an unlimited number of children. That’s a big plus for large households that want identity theft protection for everyone.

We think the higher cost of the top-tier plans is worthwhile because of the high level of protection. We recommend the service for people who want hands-off protection you don’t have to manage. Identity Guard is a good option for seniors who may not be worried about costs but want comprehensive, high-tech protection for their investments. If you just need basic identity protection and want to save on your monthly premiums, however, Zander Insurance may be the better option.

Customer Feedback

After reading through dozens of third-party reviews, we noticed a common theme that most customers are very happy with the quality of information monitoring and the breadth of plan offerings. The introduction of AI has made it easier for Identity Guard to flag suspicious activity instantaneously and look for patterns before personally identifiable information can be compromised. Many reviewers also commented on how easy it was to use the mobile app.

Some reviewers complained that dealing with customer service was not always easy or helpful, and in some cases, Identity Guard missed credit report issues that other services (such as Credit Karma) caught. Despite having U.S.-based customer service, many reviewers found it difficult to reach a representative on the phone in a reasonable amount of time. That’s important to consider, because a quick response is key when identity theft or fraud are involved.

Identity Protection Features

Aura is unique, because it doesn’t just focus on checking for red flags via online activity or credit reports. It also works to protect individual devices and has a Family plan that can provide coverage to an unlimited number of children. You can get similar coverage and features with IdentityForce and Identity Guard, but not with LifeLock. We also like that Aura comes with VPN protection, making it one of the few providers on this list that helps you stay anonymous and protected online.

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 financial and device monitoring
• Antivirus features
• VPN service
• Up to $1 million in identity theft insurance
• Parental controls for children’s online activity

The Family and Couple plans allow you to safely share sensitive information, such as 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 loved ones the opportunity to help you oversee your safety needs.

Pricing

Aura has three plans that are similar to LifeLock’s pricing model, since you can get a big discount on the first year of service. If you pay monthly, prices range from $12.99 per month (Individual) to $19.99 per month (Couple) to $47.99 per month (Family). We like that Aura has plans for different family sizes, including a plan just for couples and one for larger families. You’ll get a better discount if you pay annually, with monthly prices decreasing to $9.99, $17.99, and $24.99.

The prices apply only to the first year. If you pay month to month, prices will increase at the beginning of the second year of service to $24, $48, or $80 per month, depending on the plan. That means the rates will almost double after the first year. You can still save by paying annually, but the rates for each subsequent year will still increase. The basic Individual plan costs $119.88 for the first year, and it renews at $215.78 per year thereafter. The Couple plan jumps from $215.88 to $345.41 per year, while the Family plan jumps from $299.88 to $419.83 per year. That means keeping Aura for the long term may not be the best option for budget-conscious users.

We’ve found that the cost for the Couple and Family plans is likely worth it if you want to extend protection to multiple individuals or devices. With the Couple plan, you can protect up to 20 devices. Between phones, laptops, computers, tablets, and gaming consoles, there are many ways malicious hackers can try to access your information. If you have more devices or want to protect more people under the same plan, the upgrade could be worthwhile.

Customer Feedback

Aura has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), but consumer reviews are mixed. Many reviews complain about the VPN service being spotty, making it difficult to use the internet consistently. On the other hand, many others praise their timely notifications and friendly U.S.-based customer service. You can always choose not to use the VPN, but it’s a feature that helps keep your identity and devices safe online. If VPN protection is high on your priority list, you may be better off with an ID Watchdog plan, which includes NordVPN, a popular and trusted VPN service.

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Identity Protection Features

Like Identity Guard, you get more if you upgrade to a costlier plan. The basic plan (UltraSecure) offers dark web monitoring, Social Security number protection, bank alerts, and $2 million in identity theft coverage. That’s good, but it’s fairly limited for a plan that costs more than double some of the starter plans from Zander Insurance and Identity Guard. IdentityForce also doesn’t offer any kind of money-back guarantee, so you probably won’t get a refund if you miss out on the 30-day free trial. That’s not great for seniors on a budget or those who need more time to test the service.

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If you upgrade to one of the higher-tier plans (UltraSecure + Credit), you can get more protection. IdentityForce is a great option for families and seniors who want around-the-clock access to customer support. If you do go with the top-tier family plan, you can get all of the following for $39.90 per month:

• Advanced tech monitoring for up to two adults
• Unlimited monitoring for children (with ChildWatch)
• Up to $2 million in identity theft coverage
• Credit monitoring and quarterly reports with all three credit bureaus
• Credit score tracker
• Sex offender monitoring
• Change of address alerts
• Court record notifications
• Social media monitoring

Pricing

IdentityForce offers two protection plans, UltraSecure and UltraSecure + Credit, that are $19.90 to $34.90 per month or $199.90 to $349.90 per year (for individuals). ChildWatch can be added to any of the plans for $10 per month, which covers an unlimited number of children. We would have liked to see child protection included in the plan at no extra charge (like Identity Force and Aura), but at least it’s available.

The plans cost a bit more, but the services are outstanding when it comes to providing seniors with complete protection. IdentityForce’s comprehensive lineup of tools adds to the costs, but it becomes significantly more affordable when paid annually.

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You can use the 30-day free trial to decide if it’s the right fit. For those who want ample monitoring for all needs, along with the ability to have stolen funds restored, a high-tier plan from IdentityForce is a solid choice. But like ID Watchdog and IDShield, you won’t have a money-back guarantee, so it’s important to evaluate the service during the 30-day free trial to determine if it’s the right fit.

Customer Feedback

Like Aura, IdentityForce has an A+ rating from the BBB, but not all consumers are happy with the service. Positive reviews generally praise the company’s fast notifications, two-factor authentication for enhanced device security, and trustworthiness.

The negative reviews focus heavily on the provider’s hit-and-miss customer service. Similar to LifeLock, IdentityForce outsources customer service to a third-party company outside the United States, and many people complain that they’ve had to wait on the phone for long periods, even as they get notifications about their information being compromised.

Identity Protection Features

What really sets ID Watchdog apart is the ability to get retroactive support for preexisting identity theft cases. You can access a personal identity theft resolution specialist to help manage your case and reach a resolution. Like Aura, ID Watchdog also provides VPN protection, but ID Watchdog uses NordVPN, a trusted provider of online privacy services.

The offerings vary depending on your chosen plan, but some useful ID Watchdog features include:

• Alerts for hacker forums
• Black market surveillance
• Automatic public records searches
• Social media monitoring
• Specialist support in over 100 languages
• Subprime loan block
• Child credit locks
• Dark web monitoring
• High-risk transaction monitoring
• Up to $2 million in identity theft insurance
• Phishing and malware alerts

Pricing

ID Watchdog has four plans that range from $14.95 per month for the Select Individual plan to $34.95 per month for Premium Individual + Family plan. Annual payment plans offer discounted rates: $150 annually for an individual plan and $350 for a family plan. That comes out cheaper than comparable plans from IDShield, and the annual discounts even make ID Watchdog more affordable than the annual premiums offered by Aura.

Pricing is competitive, and the higher level of protection makes it worth paying more. You’ll pay more for preexisting identity theft services, but it’s an excellent service for seniors who have already experienced identity theft — and a feature you can’t find with many providers. Most identity theft protection services begin as soon as you pay your first premium and don’t address prior instances of fraud, but if you’ve had your identity stolen prior to signing up, ID Watchdog will still assign a resolution specialist to your case. Add to that the comprehensive protection and 100 percent resolution guarantee and you have an excellent product for most needs.

Customer Feedback

With an A+ rating from the BBB, ID Watchdog has proven themselves a legitimate and trustworthy brand. Since their founding in 2005, customers have consistently reported positive interactions with specialists. Many have also praised the ability to retroactively address identity theft cases, because it’s a huge bonus for people who are already the victims of fraud.

Identity Protection Features

Zander partnered with Dave Ramsey to create their identity protection plan. Designed to be a streamlined service, it works well for people who just want protection without frills. You shouldn’t expect the all-in-one kind of protection you get from LifeLock or ID Watchdog, but you still get alerts when fraudulent activity is spotted.

The company’s services include proactive monitoring and alerts. You’ll receive an alert when a change to your personal information is detected. It also provides up to $1 million in coverage if you report electronically stolen funds or expenses. That 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 identity theft, including:

• Tax fraud
• Medical identity theft
• Financial fraud
• Child identity theft
• Employment fraud
• Title fraud

Zander does not offer credit monitoring, but the service notifies you via 24/7 customer support when something fishy is happening. Even better, the company’s team is located in the U.S., making them easy to reach.

For older adults who prioritize their credit score, Zander may not be the ideal fit. It doesn’t offer annual reports, credit scores, or bureau monitoring, so customers will need to check their credit reports on their own. For people who may not use credit heavily, that isn’t much of a problem — especially when considering the low premiums and free credit check providers out there (like Credit Karma).

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 Bundle costs $11.99 per month for an individual and $21.99 per month for a family. Paying for a year up front reduces the 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 Bundle, annual payment brings the cost to $130 per year for individuals and $240 per year for families. That means you could get an individual or family plan for nearly half of what it would cost from providers such as Aura, LifeLock, or IdentityForce. There are limited options and no credit monitoring, but it is hard to overlook how affordable the service is for customers on a tight budget.

Customer Feedback

Zander Insurance has an A+ rating from the BBB and has built a strong reputation over the past 100 years. Not all customers have been happy with the identity protection services, however. Some users commend the company for their affordable prices, but we noticed a trend of negative feedback related to case resolution with customer service and navigating the somewhat unintuitive website that lacks live chat assistance.

Identity Protection Services

The IDShield Individual plan includes instant alerts for hard inquiries on your credit report, high-risk applications, 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. Plus, the plan offers IDShield Vault Password Manager for ample protection for devices such as mobile phones and computers.

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IDShield is the first to report that they provide this type of identity protection to over 1 million people. If you ever need to use restoration services, the company works one on one with a licensed private investigator along with modern tech to restore any problems that arise. With up to $3 million in comprehensive protection for most losses (triple the industry standard), this is a great option.

The company also stands out for its comprehensive monitoring services. Security monitoring focuses on the following:

• Financial monitoring, such as account numbers and lending services
• General privacy monitoring to protect personal information from fraud
• Social media monitoring

Pricing

IDShield offers individual and family plans, ranging from $14.95 per month to $34.95 per month. One thing we didn’t like is that IDShield doesn’t offer the annual discounts that most other providers offer like Aura or LifeLock. While IDShield isn’t the most expensive provider on this list, it’s also far from the most affordable. Zander Insurance still wins that honor.

Customer Feedback

IDShield is among the best-reviewed providers we’ve encountered, with more than 4 out of 5 reviews reporting positive overall experiences. Online reviewers praise the company for its resolution services, fast alerts, and quality plan options. Unlike reviews we encountered with LifeLock and Zander Insurance, we didn’t find many reviews complaining about customer service. On the contrary, the vast majority of users reported fast response times and positive resolutions with their identity theft cases.