Identity theft protection, explained
Paid identity services watch for signs that someone is using your information, and help you clean up if they do. They cannot stop every kind of fraud.
Free steps first
- Freeze your credit at all three bureaus. It is free and blocks new credit in your name.
- Get your free credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Use a password manager and two-step login.
- If something goes wrong, IdentityTheft.gov gives you a free recovery plan.
What paid services usually do
The FTC describes four kinds of services you might buy: credit monitoring, identity monitoring, identity recovery help, and identity theft insurance. (FTC: What to know about identity theft)
They can
- Alert you to new accounts or credit checks on your reports.
- Watch other records, like change-of-address requests.
- Give you a helper to walk you through recovery.
- Include insurance for some out-of-pocket costs.
They usually cannot
- Stop someone from taking money from your bank account. The FTC says credit monitoring will not alert you to that.
- Stop someone from filing a tax return with your Social Security number.
- Undo a scam payment you already sent.
The CFPB says to check for hidden trial periods, fees, and cancellation rules, especially for "free" offers. (CFPB)
Well-known services
| Service | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aura Official page | Identity, credit, and online safety bundle | Its pricing page says any plan can be tried free for 14 days, with a 60-day money-back guarantee on annual plans (checked Nov 5, 2026). |
| LifeLock (Norton) Official page | Identity theft protection | Several plan levels. Compare what each level monitors. |
| Experian IdentityWorks Official page | Credit bureau identity and credit protection | Run by one of the three credit bureaus. |
Check before you pay
- Do you already get this free from your bank, card, employer, or a past data breach letter?
- Does it watch all three credit bureaus, or just one?
- Is the price a first-year sale? What does it renew at?
- How do you cancel?
Looking for credit scores or credit-builder tools?
Those are money tools, not security tools. Our sister site Cash Radar covers money topics.
General information only. Not legal, financial, or security advice, and not a guarantee. Check with the company or agency involved.
- FTC: What to know about identity theft
- CFPB: What is identity monitoring or identity theft service?
- FTC: Credit freezes and fraud alerts
- AnnualCreditReport.com
Links checked November 5, 2026. If a page moved, search the agency site for the title.