Should You Use an Identity Theft Protection Service?
5 Min Read | Last updated: September 13, 2024
This article contains general information and is not intended to provide information that is specific to American Express products and services. Similar products and services offered by different companies will have different features and you should always read about product details before acquiring any financial product.
Identity theft protection services can help you safeguard your identity for a fee. While there are ways to protect yourself, many feel that such services are worth the cost.
At-A-Glance
- For a monthly or annual fee, identity theft protection services offer ways to help protect you from identity theft.
- They generally offer various combinations of services like credit monitoring, identity recovery, and identity theft insurance.
- Much of what identity theft protection services offer may be done by yourself for free, but it requires discipline and effort. Instead, many people choose to use a service as a safety net.
If you’re wondering how to protect yourself from identity theft, you might already be on the right track to safeguarding yourself from an increasingly common crime. In fact, in 2023, there were nearly 1 million reported cases of identity theft in the U.S.1
Given the time and effort often needed to resolve identity theft issues, the prospect of having your identity stolen is rightfully concerning. However, there are ways you might be able to protect yourself from identity theft, whether you prefer to enroll in an identity theft protection service or you have a DIY mentality. Here are some key things to know about identity theft protection services to help you decide the best approach for you.
Did you know?
As an added security measure to help protect against fraud, American Express reports a reference number to credit bureaus — instead of your actual account number.
What Are Identity Theft Protection Services?
An identity theft protection service helps prevent identity theft by safeguarding your personal information for a monthly or annual fee. Numerous companies offer these services, with some geared toward alerting you that someone may have tampered with your records and accounts, not preventing it from happening. Some protection services may also help you recover from an incident should one occur.2
Generally, identity theft protection services will:
- Monitor your credit.
- Look for unauthorized use of your personal information.
- Help you restore your identity if it is stolen and provide some insurance against any losses you may incur.
Let’s take a closer look at three basic types of identity theft protection services identified by the Federal Trade Commission3:
1. Identity Monitoring Services
There are two basic types of monitoring services: credit monitoring and identity monitoring.
- Credit monitoring tracks your credit reports at the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This covers many activities that are subject to fraud — like applying for a loan or opening a new credit card account — but not others. For example, credit monitoring won’t alert you if an identity thief withdraws money from your bank account or uses your Social Security number to file a tax return and collect your refund.
- Identity monitoring alerts you whenever your personal information — such as your bank account, Social Security number, driver’s license, passport, or medical insurance ID number — is being used in ways that don’t usually show up on your credit report but may also be subject to fraud. You might be alerted if a thief submits a change of address request to reroute your mail, for example.
Helping to Protect Your Identity with ID Monitoring from MyCredit Guide
ID monitoring keeps an eye on your personal information across a range of internet sites on the surface web, deep web, and dark web. If the service detects that your personal information such as your first name, last name, Social Security number, date of birth, email address, or primary address has been exposed or compromised, MyCredit Guide will alert you of the specific accounts exposed, as well as recommendations for actions you can take to help secure your data and identity. Enroll in MyCredit Guide today.
2. Identity Recovery Services
Identity recovery services are designed to help you regain control of your good name and finances if your identity is stolen. Typically, trained counselors or case managers will walk you through the process of recovering your identity. This may include help with matters like contacting creditors and debt collectors, and freezing your credit reports.
3. Identity Theft Insurance
Identity theft insurance may also be offered by identity theft protection services, although it’s often fairly limited. As a general rule, identity theft insurance only covers out-of-pocket expenses directly associated with reclaiming your identity, such as postage, copying, and notary costs. In some instances, lost wages and certain legal fees might also be covered, but you won’t be reimbursed for any money that’s stolen or other financial losses you may face.
How Much Does an Identity Theft Protection Service Cost?
The cost depends on the level of protection they provide, and some companies offer multiple plans with different levels of service. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says services for identity monitoring can exceed $15 per month.2 You may want to check the scope and extent of these services to decide which one is right for you and your budget.
Other Ways to Protect Your Identity
If you’d prefer not to spend money on a service, there are effective steps you might be able to take on your own to protect yourself. These include:
- Monitoring your credit reports, which you may do yourself for free by going to AnnualCreditReport.com. Hosted by all three major credit bureaus, this website is authorized by the federal government to provide credit reports without charge — one per year from each of the three major credit bureaus. You can also check the report every week.4
- Carefully reviewing your credit card, bank, and financial account statements on a regular basis for any suspicious activity or fraudulent charges.
- Reviewing the explanation of benefits (EOB) statements you get from your health insurance providers for treatments you never received or authorized.5
- Placing a credit freeze — also known as a security freeze — on your credit files with the major credit bureaus. Putting a freeze in place doesn’t cost you anything and will prevent anyone from accessing your credit reports without your permission. This generally blocks identity thieves from opening a new account in your name.6
Is Using an Identity Theft Protection Service Right for You?
Deciding whether or not to use an identity theft protection service often comes down to peace of mind. If you would rest easier knowing that you have a service at work that’s closely monitoring your account activity and is prepared to take charge should the worst happen, it’s worth considering signing up for one. Additionally, it’s common for people who have already experienced identity theft or have had their personal records exposed due to a data breach to sign up for identity theft protection services.
But if you’d prefer not to spend money and have the time and desire to take a hands-on approach to identity theft protection, you may want to do it yourself.
The Takeaway
Identity theft protection services won’t necessarily prevent your identity from being stolen, but they might help alert you to suspicious activity and help you recover if your identity is stolen. Some people may be able to provide themselves a similar degree of protection without paying a monthly fee, but others may feel that having a service as a backstop is well worth the expense.
1 “CSN Annual Data Book 2023,” Federal Trade Commission
2 “What is identity monitoring or "identity theft" service?,” Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
3 “What To Know About Identity Theft,” Article Source Location
4 “Free Credit Reports,” Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice
5 “Health Care Fraud,” FBI
6 “How to place or lift a security freeze on your credit report,” USAGov
Elliot M. Kass is a journalist who has covered global business and technology from New York, London, and San Francisco for more than 30 years.
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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The material made available for you on this website, Credit Intel, is for informational purposes only and intended for U.S. residents and is not intended to provide legal, tax or financial advice. If you have questions, please consult your own professional legal, tax and financial advisors.
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