Hello friend! Identity theft can strike anyone, but it poses unique risks for us seniors. Replacing stolen funds or correcting your credit report require time and energy better spent enjoying retirement.
The good news is identity theft protection services can save you the hassle and headaches. I compared over 15 top-rated options to help you find one that fits your needs and budget.
According to the FTC, seniors lost over $650 million to fraud in 2021. Identity theft protection can help safeguard your hard-earned savings from scammers.
After extensive research, I recommend LifeLock, Aura, and ID Watchdog as the best identity theft protection for seniors this year. Here‘s how these services stand out and what they can do for you.
Why Seniors Are Prime Targets for Identity Theft
Let‘s look at a few statistics to understand why we seniors face higher risks:
- People over 70 have the highest per capita fraud losses according to the FTC – averaging over $1,700 each victim.
- About 1 in 3 fraud complaints come from seniors, though we‘re only 16% of the population.
- Senior identity theft shot up by a shocking 423% from 2017 to 2021.
Scammers specifically target older adults for a few key reasons:
- Higher incomes and savings – Our nest eggs and retirement accounts are enticing to thieves.
- Good credit histories – Most seniors have great credit built up over decades.
- Less monitoring – We tend not to check accounts daily allowing fraud to slip by.
- Vulnerable to scams – Social isolation and cognitive decline make some seniors more trusting.
- Difficulty recovering – Fixing credit reports and accounts take time and tech skills we may lack.
The results of identity theft can be devastating for those on fixed incomes. But the right protection service can minimize the risks and recovery burden.
How Identity Theft Services Protect Seniors
Identity theft protection works by monitoring your personal information, alerting you to suspicious activity, and guiding restoration if needed.
Here are the main protections the best services provide:
- Dark web monitoring – Scans black market sites for your info being sold.
- Credit reports and scores – Monitors all three credit bureaus for new accounts and inquiries.
- Public records – Checks court records, change of address forms, and payday loans.
- Bank transactions – Watches for fraudulent charges and withdrawals.
- Alerts – Notifies you immediately via app and email if anything seems off.
- Insurance – Covers legal costs and stolen funds up to limits like $1 million.
- Restoration team – Licensed experts do the work to recover your identity.
- Device security – Antivirus, VPNs, and password managers to secure your online activity.
The right identity theft protection service saves you time, money, and sleepless nights. Now let‘s look at my top recommendations.
The 3 Best Identity Theft Protection Services for Seniors
Based on protection scope, restoration support, price, and reputation, I recommend LifeLock, Aura, and ID Watchdog as the top services for seniors in 2023.
LifeLock – Best Overall Protection
LifeLock is my choice for the best overall identity theft protection for seniors because it simply offers the most comprehensive coverage.
As background, LifeLock pioneered the identity theft protection industry and has protected over 33 million consumers to date. Its high-touch service combines wide monitoring, an award-winning restoration team, and up to $1 million insurance.
Here are some highlights:
- Monitoring – Checks financial accounts, credit reports, public records, court records, payday loans, and over 10 billion data points.
- Alerts – Immediate alerts by text, email, phone if suspicious activity is detected.
- Restoration – Licensed specialists fully manage your case and restoration to pre-theft state.
- Insurance – Up to $1 million insurance to cover losses. The highest coverage on the market.
- Plans – Options for individuals, couples, or the whole family.
The Standard plan starts at just $7.50 month the first year, then $9.99/month after that. For the comprehensive monitoring and high-touch restoration seniors need, LifeLock is worth every penny.
Aura – Most Affordable Bundle
If you‘re looking to spend less, Aura is the best value identity theft protection for just $12/month. Even better, Aura offers a 25% senior discount!
What you get with Aura:
- Monitoring – Scans dark web, credit reports, public records, and court records.
- Device Security – Includes antivirus, VPN, and password manager software.
- Alerts – Phone and email alerts of any suspicious activity.
- Restoration – U.S-based team guides your recovery process.
- Insurance – Up to $1 million insurance policy.
- Plans – Individual, couples, and family plans available.
The senior discount makes the Aura individual plan just $9/month. For robust protection plus built-in security tools, Aura delivers exceptional value.
ID Watchdog – Best Restoration Support
ID Watchdog costs a little more at $14.95/month but stands out for its white-glove restoration service.
If you become an identity theft victim, ID Watchdog‘s U.S-based specialists take care of recovering your identity completely.
Here‘s what you get:
- Monitoring – Scans credit reports, public records, court records, and high-risk transactions.
- Alerts – Email, text, and phone alerts of suspicious activity.
- Restoration – Licensed advocates fully manage the restoration process for you.
- Insurance – Up to $1 million policy to cover losses.
- Plans – Individual and family plans.
While on the pricier side, ID Watchdog‘s premier restoration service eases the headaches if your identity is stolen. For hands-off help, it‘s worth the premium.
Cost Comparison of the Top Services for Seniors
Here‘s a quick look at how pricing shakes out for these three top-rated services:
| Service | Starting Monthly Price |
|---|---|
| LifeLock | $7.50/month first year |
| Aura | $9/month with senior discount |
| ID Watchdog | $14.95/month |
Pricing is for individual plans. All three also offer competitive rates on family plans if you want to cover your partner or dependents.
What Else Can You Do to Prevent Identity Theft?
While a reputable identity theft protection service is invaluable, here are a few other tips to better secure yourself against scams:
- Check your credit reports – Review reports from Equifax, Experian, Transunion annually for any errors or unknown accounts. You can get them for free at annualcreditreport.com.
- Freeze your credit – Stop new accounts from being opened by freezing your credit reports. Freezes are now free.
- Monitor accounts closely – Review credit card and bank statements at least weekly for any suspicious charges.
- Watch out for scams – Hang up on suspicious calls. Never give info to unsolicited callers or emails.
- Shred documents – Use a crosscut shredder on any paperwork with personal information before trashing it.
- Protect your devices – Use strong antivirus software and be cautious of public WiFi. Don‘t click on unknown links.
- Use strong passwords – Create a unique, complex password for every account. Consider a password manager.
Staying vigilant against fraud yourself along with a protection service offers the best defense against identity theft.
What To Do If You Suspect Identity Theft
If you notice any suspicious activity in your accounts or get contacted by creditors about debts not yours, take action right away by:
- Placing a 90-day fraud alert on your credit reports to stop further abuse.
- Contacting your identity theft protection service if you have one so they can investigate.
- Changing online account passwords so thieves can no longer access them.
- Notifying your bank and credit card companies of the fraud.
- Filing an FTC identity theft report and police report to document the crime.
- Checking your free credit reports for any unknown accounts or charges.
Your identity theft protection service will guide you through each of these steps. But it‘s good to know the initial measures to take if thieves do get your information.
The sooner you act, the faster you can contain the damage.
The Bottom Line
Being vigilant against fraud is especially important for us seniors who have limited time and resources to recover from identity theft. I recommend LifeLock, Aura, or ID Watchdog for comprehensive monitoring and restoration support.
While no service prevents all identity theft, the top providers make it much easier to detect and resolve. For just $10-$15 a month, you can have peace of mind knowing your nest egg and credit are protected.
Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to help seniors safeguard their hard-earned savings and enjoy retirement.
Stay safe out there,
[Your Name]
