Keeping your identity secure is more important than ever with the skyrocketing prominence of cybercrime and identity theft. This is especially true for seniors, who are often the targets of scams and fraud. Many companies offer identity protection services that can be essential for keeping your information safe. Although there are certainly a lot of popular identity protection options, Identity Guard has emerged as a fan favorite for their comprehensive family plans. We’ve gone through everything you need to know about how Identity Guard can help you safeguard your and your family’s personal information.
What is Identity Guard?
Identity Guard has emerged as one of the best providers of identity protection for families all over the United States. By leveraging advanced technologies, Identity Guard monitors outlets like the internet, the dark web, and even your own personal financial records to ensure the integrity of your identity and information. They offer top-notch family-oriented identity protection services that come with a family-friendly price tag.
Although established in 1996, when it was owned by Intersections Inc., Identity Guard was recently brought under new management in 2019, after it completed a merger with Aura. Aura is another stellar identity protection company that we gave the title of the best identity protection service for comprehensive digital security.
What makes Identity Guard different from others?
Although Identity Guard is owned by Aura, it’s a different company, especially when it comes to family pricing. Paying for identity protection for the whole family can be expensive. However, Identity Guard’s affordable family plans make it possible to cover everyone in your family at a very reasonable price point, with family plans allowing you to add up to five adults (and unlimited children) to the account. This can be especially beneficial to families who want to protect their older adult loved ones in addition to themselves.
Identity Guard features and benefits
It’s important to know exactly what you’re getting from an identity protection service. To help you get a better handle on what Identity Guard offers, we’ve outlined some of their most prominent features below.
What personal information does Identity Guard monitor?
Exactly what Identity Guard monitors depends on the plan you purchase. In a section below you’ll find a table outlining each plan’s benefits. If you choose their highest tier, they monitor all the information you’d want from an identity protection service, including your credit, bank accounts, credit and debit cards, investment accounts, home and vehicle titles, and social media. It also monitors for your personal data, such as your Social Security number, phone number, passwords, and criminal and court records. Identity Guard monitors for this information on both the normal web and the dark web and alerts you when they find something suspicious, whether that’s a strange credit card transaction or your information being leaked on the dark web.
Whenever you share your personal information with another person or institution, your identity is at risk. This means that your identity can be stolen by something as simple as swiping your card at a gas pump, surfing the web on unsecured Wi-Fi, or posting on social media. That’s why securing your identity has become more important than ever. Companies like Identity Guard exist for the sole purpose of keeping your personal information safe.
One of the most affordable family plans around
Identity Guard’s family plans stand head and shoulders above the crowd. The typical family plan offered by most of their competitors covers two adults and unlimited children. However, when you choose an Identity Guard family plan, you can add up to five adults and unlimited children, which can mean huge savings for those with large families, especially those who want to protect the personal information of their older adult loved ones.
Types of identity theft protection offered
Using a service like Identity Guard can seriously reduce the amount of damage a cybercriminal can do by detecting suspicious activity early. To help you get a better idea of what you can expect from an Identity Guard subscription, we’ve gone through exactly what they do below. You can also check out their offerings on their pricing page. The details below reflect the services included in their highest-tier plan.
Comprehensive monitoring services
Identity Guard offers extensive monitoring solutions that cover a wide range of personal data, including Social Security numbers, credit reports, and bank account details. They also perform dark web surveillance. The service continuously scans thousands of data sources to detect unauthorized use of personal information, alerting users to suspicious activities before they escalate into full-blown identity theft. Whether it’s unauthorized credit inquiries, changes in public records, or breaches involving personal data, Identity Guard provides timely notifications to help users take immediate action.
Financial and credit protection
A key component of Identity Guard’s offerings is its financial and credit protection services. Users benefit from regular credit report monitoring and alerts from major credit bureaus, helping them track changes in their credit profiles and detect fraudulent activity. The service also provides credit score updates, enabling individuals to monitor their financial health and make informed decisions. With identity theft often leading to financial losses, Identity Guard’s proactive approach to credit monitoring ensures users have a clear picture of their financial standing and can respond quickly to any red flags.
Dark web and social media monitoring
In addition to protecting financial data, Identity Guard extends its protection to the digital realm with dark web and social media monitoring. Cybercriminals often trade stolen personal information, such as email addresses, passwords, and financial details, on the dark web. Identity Guard scours these hidden online markets and alerts users if their data appears in suspicious locations. Moreover, their social media monitoring service helps users identify potential threats related to oversharing personal details or unauthorized use of their profiles, ensuring their online presence remains secure.
Identity restoration services
Should identity theft occur, Identity Guard offers comprehensive identity restoration services to assist users in reclaiming their stolen identity. A dedicated case manager guides affected individuals through the recovery process, helping them dispute fraudulent transactions, restore credit standings, and communicate with relevant institutions. This hands-on support provides invaluable peace of mind in the event of identity fraud.
Can I use Identity Guard’s services internationally?
According to the Identity Guard terms of service, you can use their services internationally. This is very important, as cybercrime and identity theft are often international in nature as cybercriminals can do this from practically anywhere. Having protection while you’re abroad is key. However, you need to be a resident of the United States or have U.S.-based credit files in order to be an Identity Guard subscriber.
Pricing plans and options
When shopping for an identity protection service, one of the most important factors in deciding which company you’ll work with is price. Below, we’ve summarized everything you need to know about Identity Guard and their best-in-class family plans.
Different plans offer different services and features. If you want to learn more about what you get with each plan offered by Identity Guard, you can check out their pricing page.
How much does Identity Guard cost?
Identity Guard’s pricing structure is a bit complex, as they have different tiers, and each tier has different prices depending on whether you want to enroll yourself or your whole family and whether you want to pay monthly or annually. To help you get a better idea of their pricing structure, we’ve assembled a table below:
| Plan name | Individual plan | Family plan | Benefits |
| Value | $8.99/month (billed monthly) or $7.50/month (billed annually) | $14.99/month (billed monthly) or $12.50/month (billed annually) | U.S.-based customer care team, $1 million identity theft insurance**, data breach notifications, dark web monitoring, high-risk transaction monitoring, safe browsing, and password manager |
| Total | $19.99/month (billed monthly) or $16.67/month (billed annually) | $29.99/month (billed monthly) or $25.00/month (billed annually) | Everything in Value, plus bank account monitoring, three-bureau credit monitoring, and monthly credit score |
| Ultra | $29.99/month (billed monthly) or $25.00/month (billed annually) | $39.99/month (billed monthly) or $33.33/month (billed annually) | Everything in Total, plus white glove fraud resolution, social media monitoring, credit and debit card monitoring, 401(k) and investment account monitoring, home title monitoring, criminal and sex offense monitoring, USPS address change monitoring, Experian credit lock, and three-bureau annual credit report |
**The identity theft insurance is underwritten and administered by American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida, so you’ll have to check the policies for terms, conditions, and exclusions of coverage. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions.
It’s important to note that Identity Guard’s family plans allow you to add up to five adults and unlimited children (who are living in the same household as the primary account holder) to the plan. This is considerably better than the industry standard of two adults and unlimited children and can allow families to add older adult loved ones to the account.
Does Identity Guard offer a free trial?
Unfortunately, Identity Guard does not offer a free trial. However, they offer a 60-day money-back guarantee on all their annual plans.
Identity Guard enrollment process
If you’d like to sign up, the process is quick and easy. All you have to do is go to their website or download their app on your iOS or Android smartphone or tablet. Then go to their sign-up page, choose the type of plan you’d like, and enter your personal and payment information.
How do I cancel my Identity Guard subscription?
The FTC recently instituted a “Click-to-Cancel” rule, legally requiring businesses to make it easy for their customers to cancel their service. To cancel your subscription, navigate to your account settings on Identity Guard’s website or app, and click the cancel subscription button. You can also call customer service to cancel if you’d prefer.
In-depth overview of Identity Guard services
Identity Guard’s Ultra plan offers many features and services. Here, we offer a closer look at these services. Keep in mind that lower-tier plans do not offer all the protection of the Ultra plan. Consult the table above or the pricing page for more information.
Monitoring services
Identity Guard uses continuous monitoring to protect users from identity theft by scanning financial institutions, public records, and the dark web for suspicious activity. It monitors critical personal information such as Social Security numbers, credit profiles, and banking details, providing early warnings of potential threats. Identity Guard also offers financial monitoring by tracking credit reports and looking for unauthorized transactions, while social media surveillance detects unusual activity that could compromise online accounts. Additionally, dark web monitoring scans hidden online marketplaces for stolen information, ensuring users stay informed and can act swiftly to mitigate risks.
How am I alerted if my identity is stolen?
Identity Guard promptly alerts users to potential threats through email, text messages, and mobile app notifications, ensuring they stay informed in real time. Alerts provide detailed information about detected issues, such as unauthorized credit inquiries or compromised data found on the dark web, along with recommended actions to resolve them. Whether it’s freezing a credit report, changing passwords, or contacting financial institutions, Identity Guard guides users through the necessary steps to secure their identity and prevent further fraudulent activity.
How secure is my information with Identity Guard?
Identity Guard employs bank-level encryption and industry-leading cybersecurity measures to ensure the protection of user data. Sensitive personal information is encrypted during transmission and storage, preventing unauthorized access. The platform complies with stringent data protection regulations and employs multiple layers of security, including firewalls, access controls, and regular security audits. With 24/7 monitoring and dedicated support teams ready to respond to potential threats, users can trust that their personal information is safeguarded against cyber risks.
Credit reporting and alerts
Credit monitoring is crucial if you want to protect your identity fully. Cybercriminals can use your good credit to defraud banks, ruining your great credit in the process. Identity Guard offers some of the best credit reporting and alert systems around.
Identity Guard protects users by continuously monitoring their credit profiles across major credit bureaus and alerting them to any suspicious or unauthorized activity. The service scans for key changes such as new account openings, credit inquiries, and shifts in credit utilization that could indicate potential fraud. When unusual activity is detected, users receive instant alerts through email, text, or mobile app notifications, allowing them to take swift action to prevent further harm. By providing proactive monitoring and timely notifications, Identity Guard helps users safeguard their financial health and minimize the risk of credit-related identity theft.
Identity Guard provides regular updates on users’ credit reports, ensuring they have an up-to-date view of their financial standing.
The frequency of updates depends on the plan selected, with higher-tier plans offering more frequent credit report monitoring across all three major credit bureaus. Users receive alerts whenever significant changes occur, such as new credit accounts, late payments, or changes in credit limits, enabling them to stay informed and react promptly to potential issues. By offering ongoing credit monitoring and comprehensive reporting, Identity Guard empowers users to maintain control over their financial well-being and detect identity theft before it causes significant damage.
Privacy protection tools
In addition to its suite of credit reporting, alerts, and monitoring services, Identity Guard offers its customers some other useful identity protection tools, such as the following:
- Safe browsing features help users avoid phishing attempts and malware by identifying potentially harmful websites.
- Data breach notifications alert users when their information may have been exposed in a corporate or governmental breach.
- Social media monitoring allows users to track their online presence and receive alerts if suspicious activity is detected on their profiles.
Identity restoration services
It’s important that the identity protection service you work with can help you if your identity is stolen. Identity Guard can help you with identity theft recovery. However, the level of help you receive is dependent upon your plan. All plans come with $1 million in insurance that can cover anything from legal and personal expenses to stolen funds. However, you won’t receive a dedicated case manager to help you send letters and file disputes unless you subscribe to Identity Guard’s Ultra plan.
Identity Guard user experience and reviews
It can be helpful to look at customer reviews when purchasing a product or service. Identity Guard doesn’t seem to have a Better Business Bureau page. However, they do have a Trustpilot page with almost 4,500 reviews and 3.8/5 stars. Many reviewers mention having positive experiences with the company after their personal information was compromised. Negative reviews focus mainly on long wait times to get in touch with customer service.
Comparison with other identity protection services
When you’re looking for an identity protection service, it’s important to compare it with other similar products. Below, we’ll go over how Identity Guard stacks up against its competitors.
Identity Guard’s competitors
Identity Guard has a lot of competitors, but it is still one of the most reputable identity protection companies, and their family plans are second to none. If you’d like to compare Identity Guard to some of its competitors, be sure to check out our dedicated reviews on LifeLock, IdentityForce, Aura, and Zander Insurance or our summary article. Also be sure to check out our identity protection services buyer’s guide for tips on how to choose the right service for you.
How does Identity Guard compare to LifeLock?
When it comes to identity protection services, the one company that everyone seems to know is LifeLock. Although LifeLock’s cheapest plan is at a very similar price point to Identity Guard’s cheapest plan, LifeLock’s cheapest plan comes with just a $25,000 insurance plan on both stolen funds and personal expenses, whereas Identity Guard’s plans come with $1 million in insurance coverage. In addition, LifeLock’s family plans offer coverage for only two adults and five children, while Identity Guard’s family plans all cover five adults and unlimited kids.
Identity Guard customer support
Customer support is key when it comes to protecting your identity. If you decide to work with Identity Guard, you can rest assured knowing that you can get in touch with a customer service representative at any time, day or night. Their customer service lines are open 24/7. Additionally, they have a helpful FAQ page and an email address where you can direct less pressing questions.
Here is how you can get in touch with Identity Guard:
- Phone: 1-855-443-7748
- Email: customercare@identityguard.com
Wrapping things up: Who is Identity Guard right for?
Although Identity Guard provides users with a lot of great features and tools for a great price point, where they really shine is with their family plans. They offer a much better value to people with large families than their competitors do, simply by allowing more adults and unlimited children to be added to their family plan. When you couple this with the fact that Identity Guard’s plans are more affordable than most of the big-name providers, this makes for an incredible family plan for those who are on a budget.
