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Identity Theft Protection Services
Compare and review Identity Theft Protection Services


ID Theft Protection Comparisons

Services: Our Ratings: Bottom Line:
LifeLock Rating:
 Best value for identity theft protection; 30 days free
Identity Guard Total Protection Rating:
 Most complete ID theft detection service; Free Internet Security Suite; 30 Day Free Trial
Trusted ID Rating:
 Great ID Theft prevention service; excellent value for families; 30 Day Free Trial
Identity Truth Rating:
 Excellent fraud monitoring and online tools; Dedicated toll free number 866-736-0165
ID Watchdog Rating:
 Extensive fraud detection, most straightforward recovery guarantee we have seen
FamilySecure Rating:
 Cost effective identity theft protection for families and children
LoudSiren Rating:
 Innovative automated phone system makes managing fraud alerts easy
Equifax with Score Power Rating:
 Great combination of credit monitoring and id theft detection
Identity Theft Shield Rating:
 Does not prevent identity theft but assists in recovery
Identity Guard Good Start Rating:
 Cheapest id theft detection available

NextAdvisor Identity Theft Protection Blog Headlines

Researchers launch free tracking software for lost or stolen laptops
A team of researchers from the University of Washington and the University of California have released a new free laptop tracking service. The software, called Adeona, is downloaded onto a laptop and immediately begins sending signals containing the computer’s location over the Internet. Should a laptop with Adeona installed ever be lost or stolen then [...]

How to deal with a lost or stolen laptop
Since a recent study drew attention to the startling number of laptops that are lost or stolen at U.S. airports, we thought it would be useful to outline some of the best ways for consumers to deal with laptop loss. Aside from the immediate financial loss and the loss of valuable files, a missing laptop [...]

Data Breach Alert: California Department of Consumer affairs personnel specia...
Until recently, Rachael Rivas Dumbrique worked as a personnel specialist for the California Department of Consumer Affairs. On June 6, her last day of work at Consumer Affairs, she copied a confidential roster with more than 5,000 employee names, addresses and Social Security numbers and sent it to her personal email account. Fortunately, special security [...]

Colorado DMV fails to encrypt sensitive data
By transmitting sensitive data without encryption, the Division of Motor Vehicles puts 3.4 million Coloradans at risk of identity theft. According to a recent audit, the DMV has failed to to effectively limit access to its database. More than a year after their departure, former employees could still access names, addresses, dates of birth and [...]

Reader Question: What service is best for protecting my identity and monitori...
Q: I would like to monitor my credit and make sure my identity is protected as well. Which service is best for me? A: If you want to protect your identity and get access to your credit report and score, then Identity Guard is likely the best service for you. There are two types of identity [...]

Data Breach Alert: 2,000 investment firm clients, including Supreme Court Jus...
Just over six months ago, an employee of a McLean investment firm inadvertently exposed private company files while using LimeWire. This breach exposed the names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers of about 2,000 of the firm’s clients, including Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer and a number of high-powered lawyers. The breach was [...]

NextAdvisor.com guide to protecting your identity the LifeLock way
Many of LifeLock’s critics claim that the service provides little value because everything that LifeLock does for its subscribers can be done by consumers for free. So, we decided to put this common criticism to the test. We have reviewed the major features of LifeLock’s service and compared them with the steps you could take [...]

Sensitive number finder detects data that could put you at risk for identity ...
Senf is a free, open source Java application that scans your hard drive for Social Security numbers, credit card numbers and any other sensitive data worth stealing. By pointing out where these types of numbers exist on your computer, Senf can help you protect yourself from identity theft. You can download the application here. Keeping sensitive [...]

FTC to survey identity theft victims
The Federal Trade Commission recently announced plans to survey identity theft victims who reported incidents of identity theft to the FTC between January 1 and May 30. The FTC hopes to learn whether victims found the available legal remedies effective in resolving these incidents. Available legal remedies include placing fraud alerts on their credit files, [...]

Google gives employees a free year of identity-theft protection
Google employees’ personal information, including names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and hire dates, was compromised by a break-in at Colt, an HR outsourcing firm. The break-in occurred on May 26 and Google was notified on June 9. In response to the security breach, Google will be providing employees with one year of identity [...]


Did you know?

Did you know that identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the U.S. with over 9 million people victimized annually? If you are a victim of identity theft, you may lose the ability to get and use credit cards, loans, and even the most basic services such as phone service and television. You could even end up in jail due to mistaken identity! Fortunately, there are some great and cost-effective services to help prevent and detect identity theft.

View our full comparison and reviews of the best identity theft prevention and detection services

Identity Theft Prevention

We recommend identity theft prevention services, such as LifeLock and TrustedID, for those serious about preventing identity theft. These services set fraud alerts with the credit bureaus so a new account can't be opened in your name without you being contacted.

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Identity Theft Detection

For those who don't want fraud alerts set on their credit files or who also want to keep close tabs on their credit scores and reports, identity theft detection services, such as Identity Guard and Equifax Credit Watch Gold, are a great way to go. These services alert you to any changes in your credit file daily and will help you detect any identity theft quickly.