Identity theft is a real problem, and it’s one that can take up a lot of your time and money if you become a victim. In order to help keep your information secure, as well as reestablish your identity, many people turn to an identity theft protection company. Although choice is good, it can feel overwhelming to find the right plan when there are so many plans to choose from!
Fortunately, there are a few things you can look at when it comes to narrowing down your options. Here are the critical aspects to look for in an ID theft protection plan.
Identity protection and monitoring
The most important thing you want to look for when it comes to an identity theft protection plan is the level of identity protection and monitoring the plan offers. No ID theft protection company can prevent identity theft, but they can help you identify a potential problem early.
There are a number of things an ID theft protection should monitor including:
- Internet, public, and court records
- Medical and insurance records
- Credit card accounts
- Bank accounts
Keeping track of your credit accounts is one of the best ways to catch identity theft early. In an effort to help you take control of your own identity, many of the best ID theft protection companies offer credit reports multiple times a year.
Tired of dealing with all that junk mail? It is likely to get tossed into the trash with little thought, which makes it easy for an identity thief to get ahold of your information. Many identity theft protection companies also offer junk mail opt-out services.
Identity recovery
Protection and monitoring services are important, but it’s also important for an ID theft protection agency to offer superior identity recovery services. Without the assistance of an ID theft company, you’ll have to call the credit bureaus, deal with the authorities, and communicate with financial institutions on your own, which can take up a lot of time. The best identity theft companies will do all the hard work for you, and some will even provide you with lost wage and compensation for attorney fees.
When looking at identity recovery services, you should look for:
- A team of dedicated identity recovery specialists
- Assistance for financial, medical, criminal, and tax fraud
- Lost wallet protection services
- A clear guarantee or insurance policy
Cost
All of the best identity theft protection services are useless if they are outside of your price range, but that doesn’t mean you should choose the cheapest plan available either! Instead, you should look for a plan that balances cost and value.
Want to learn more about the things you should look for in an identity theft plan? Click here for more information.
Having trouble finding a plan that has the services you’re looking for, but doesn’t break the bank? For help deciding which plan is right for you, take a look at our reviews. We can help you narrow down your choices so you can find a comprehensive identity theft protection plan that’s also affordable.
