Should I Sign Up for an
Identity Theft Protection Service if I've
Already Set Up Fraud Alerts?

Q:  I already have a fraud alert on all 3 credit companies – should I still sign up for an identity theft protection service?

A:  A fraud alert is a good idea if you're worried about someone illegally opening a credit account under your name. But a fraud alert only requires that the 3 credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax and TransUnion—use "reasonable policies and procedures" to verify your identity before opening an account in your name. Typically this means they will call you to ensure you requested the new account be opened. However, a fraud alert is not a fail-safe method for protecting your identity.

If you're concerned enough about your identity to place fraud alerts (although it is a good idea to do so), you should consider signing up for an identity theft protection service. The top identity theft protection services we review on our site offer a lot more piece-of-mind than just fraud alerts.They provide the advanced technology you need to protect your personal information from potential identity thieves.

Our #1 rated identity theft protection service, Identity Guard, monitors the Internet black market for the use of your credit cards or other personal information, scans databases for application or Social Security fraud, and monitors public records for any changes in your name. They also provide Zone Alarm Internet Security software for your computer, mobile security software and anti-keylogging software to help protect you from cyber theft. In addition, you'll get 3-bureau credit monitoring so you're aware of any significant changes to your credit report and all 3 credit scores. And for a limited time, NextAdvisor readers get 25% off the monthly price, bringing it to just $14.99 per month. You'll also get a free 30-day trial so you can try it out free of charge and see if it's a good fit.

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