RANKING & REVIEWS
TOP RANKING LIFE LOCK COMPETITORS
The Importance of Preventing Identity Theft
One of the worst things that can happen to anybody in this day and age is identity theft. This involves the stealing of personal information and private financial data that can be used against you.
It only takes one small data breach before a malicious hacker takes all of the money from your accounts, makes huge purchases, and does a number of things that could ruin your reputation for the rest of your life.
Seeing that fraud protection services is a $50 billion industry, people are willing to do whatever it takes to stop and prevent identify theft from happening in the first place.
This is why the LifeLock app has risen to prominence in recent years. Known as one of the best fraud protection services on the market today, a mere $10/month is all it takes to have your data under their tight scrutiny.
Your credit card information, loan information, and any other of personal information can all be under careful watch. In the event that something happens, there is a $1 million guarantee to pay for any service failures.
Award Emblem: Best Lifelock Competitors & Alternatives
Regarding LifeLock Competitors
However, based on Google search analysis, AdvisoryHQ discovered that consumers are very interested in learning about LifeLock competitors.
LifeLock is not the only identify theft protection service around; in fact, many alternatives to LifeLock exist.
Companies like LifeLock are not without their faults, and each one has their strengths and weaknesses. Given the LifeLock complaints that have accumulated over the past few years, LifeLock competitors are starting to rise and take over the market.
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AdvisoryHQ’s List of the Top 5 Best LifeLock Alternatives
List is sorted alphabetically (click any of the names below to go directly to the detailed review section for that LifeLock alternative):
Click here for 2016’s ranking of the Top 5 Best LifeLock Competitors
Top 5 Best LifeLock Alternatives | Brief Comparison & Ranking
Top LifeLock Alternatives | Highlighted Features |
| Equifax ID Patrol™
| Lost wallet assistance helps get your cards & ID documents re-issued |
| Experian Identity Works™
| Wide range of credit & identity theft alerts |
| IdentityForce | 14-day free trial |
| Identity Guard | Only service with $1 million in coverage for all plans |
| ProtectMyID | Comprehensive educational resources |
Table: Top 5 Best LifeLock Competitors | Above list is sorted alphabetically
Why Are People Seeking LifeLock Alternatives?
The mere fact that people are seeking an alternative to LifeLock means that there is something about the service that does not appeal to them.
Whether it is the price or a history that doesn’t look promising, each individual has a reason for selecting a LifeLock alternative. A consumer who is aware of said reasons will be better informed in selecting an identity theft protection service.
Much of the reason people seek out LifeLock alternatives has to do with the company’s integrity in providing the services that they advertise to their customers.
For example, in 2010 they were fined $12 million by the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) due to false market advertising that promised a 100% guarantee against any kind of identity theft. Amidst an onslaught of LifeLock complaints, LifeLock eventually agreed to pay these fines, and the general public thought that would be the end of it.
However, tragedy struck again when the FTC fined them in 2015 for $100 million due to their breach of the agreement that was reached back in 2010. Even after their warning, they failed yet again to protect sensitive data as promised in their marketing campaigns.
This was a huge setback for them, and to this date they have still not paid off the entirety of this fine.
Given the enormous damage that has been done to the LifeLock brand and the amount of LifeLock complaints, many consumers immediately switched out and are now seeking alternatives to LifeLock. Many LifeLock competitors are looking to see if they can take advantage of the now-open market.
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General Tips for Theft Prevention
Although this article will provide readers with companies like LifeLock that will provide air-tight fraud protection services, it is important to remember that these companies cannot do everything for you.
Image Source: BigStock
At the end of the day, you will still have to follow the best practices possible for keeping yourself and your private data safe. In conjunction with a good identify theft prevention service, here are things you can do to prevent a security breach:
Use Complex Computer Passwords & Change Them Frequently
In today’s day and age, it is becoming increasingly easy for hackers to “crack” passwords that are simple and include common information. This type of information would include birthdays, pet names, and names that are easy to guess.
Your passwords should be long, complex, and unique to you. Including a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols will be beneficial.
Additionally, make sure to change your passwords at least once a month, (or if there is any kind of company breach) to something completely different.
Secure Your Social Security Number (SSN) in a Safe Place
This means that the number should not be on anything that can be easily taken away from you, such as a wallet or a piece of paper that is visible to the public eye. You are better off keeping this information in a safe or with your bank.
If somebody is asking you for your SSN and you are uncomfortable giving it to them, there is a good chance that someone is trying to get it out of you.
Talk to your bank representative and ask them about the few situations in which it is safe to give this information out.
Keep Your Wallet by Your Side at All Times
It should be in your pocket at all times; as deep inside the pocket as you can possibly get it. Having it in an open bag or coat makes it that much easier for a thief to steal without you knowing it.
In the rare event that somebody manages to steal your wallet due to a mugging, you should know how to respond and take action immediately to prevent or minimize any kind of potential theft.
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AdvisoryHQ’s Selection Methodology
What methodology does AdvisoryHQ use in selecting and finalizing the credit cards, financial products, firms, services, and products that are ranked on its various top-rated lists?
Please click here “AdvisoryHQ’s Ranking Methodologies” for a detailed review of AdvisoryHQ’s selection methodologies for ranking top-rated credit cards, financial accounts, firms, products, and services.
Detailed Review – Top Ranking Best LifeLock Alternatives
Below, please find the detailed review of each firm on our list of top LifeLock competitors.We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these alternatives to LifeLock to score so highly in our selection ranking.
Equifax ID Patrol Review
As a globally trusted analytics company, Equifax organizes and analyzes data on over 820 million consumers and over 91 million businesses across the world.
With a recognized history of innovation and quality, Equifax ID Patrol™ is a great way to combine expert credit score monitoring and identity protection into one comprehensive, efficient package.
Key Factors that Enabled This Company to Rank as a Top Alternative to LifeLock
Below are some key features we used to rate Equifax ID Patrol as one of this year’s top LifeLock competitors and LifeLock alternatives.
Credit Monitoring & Insight
Because identity theft and credit scores are inherently connected, it makes sense to invest in a product that will help you monitor both.
Equifax ID Patrol allows users to pull up their 3-bureau credit report on an annual basis. If there are any key changes throughout the year reported by any of the three bureaus, this LifeLock competitor will send automated alerts directly to your phone via text.
You also have the ability to use Equifax Credit Lock, which prevents unauthorized access to your credit report from third parties, like credit grantors.
Identity Theft Protection Service Features
Signing up for Equifax ID Patrol provides a few crucial identity theft protection service features:
- Lost Wallet Assistance: If you lose your wallet, Equifax will help you cancel and re-issue your cards and ID
- Internet Scanning: Equifax will monitor the web for your Social Security, passport, credit card, bank, and insurance policy numbers to detect suspicious activity
- Automatic Fraud Alerts: This encourages potential lenders to take extra verification steps before issuing a loan
- Insured up to $1 Million: Should identity theft occur, this could be instrumental in covering out-of-pocket expenses
Equifax ID Patrol™ Premier
For those who prefer a little extra protection, Equifax ID Patrol Premier is a great way to make sure that all of your bases are covered. This LifeLock competitor comes with all the benefits of the standard Patrol plan, but includes a few key extras.
Instead of being limited to checking your credit report once a year, the Patrol Premier plan allows you to check your credit report any time, as many times as you like.
Additionally, this LifeLock alternative can be used to create financial alerts, allowing you to identify suspicious activity on your credit cards and bank accounts as quickly as possible.
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Experian IdentityWorks™ Review
With a presence in over 37 countries and over a century of company history, Experian continues to be a trusted name in data analytics. Their mission is to gather, analyze, combine, and process data to help consumers better achieve their personal goals.
While Experian may be best-known as one of the three credit reporting bureaus, their IdentityWorks™ products are competitive LifeLock alternatives to consider for identity theft monitoring and protection.
Key Factors that Enabled This Company to Rank as a Top Alternative to LifeLock
Below are some key features we used to rate Experian IdentityWorks as one of this year’s top LifeLock competitors and LifeLock alternatives.
Fraud Resolution Specialists
There’s no doubt that discovering fraud can cause stress and confusion. If Experian detects fraud on any of your accounts, they will assign a fraud resolution specialist to help you along every step of the way.
This specialist can be instrumental in guiding you through the process of contacting your creditors, talking to your bank, and even dicussing your case with law enforcement.
Of course, the best-case scenario is that fraud or identity theft never occurs–but if it does, it’s comforting to know that this LifeLock competitor is ready and waiting to help.
Wide Range of Alerts
As both a credit monitoring and identity theft prevention software, Experian IdentityWorks is a great LifeLock alternative for those who want a thorough and comprehensive alert system.
Between the Plus and the Premium plans, IdentityWorks will monitor and notify users based on a wide range of alerts, including:
- Dark Web Surveillance Alerts: Monitors over 600,000 web pages, file-sharing sources, forums, social media feeds, and more to detect stolen data
- Bank & Credit Takeover Alerts: Identify suspicious charges if someone uses your information to open up a bank account or credit card
- Change of Address Alerts: Know if and when your mail has been forwarded to another address
- Payday & Non-Credit Loan Alerts: Detect unauthorized use of your information to apply for payday loans, non-credit loans, and rent-to-own contracts.
- Sex Offender Alerts: Get notified about registered sex offenders in your area, and/or if an offender fraudulently registers in your name
Two Different Plan Options
Experian separates their IdentityWorks product into two different programs: IdentityWorks Plus and IdentityWorks Premium. Here’s what you get with IdentityWorks Plus:
- Experian credit monitoring & credit lock alerts
- Dark web surveillance alerts
- $1 million identity theft insurance
- Fraud resolution support
- Daily FICO scores & FICO score tracker
- Free 30-day trial
While IdentityWorks Premium does not include a free 30-day trial, it comes with all the elements listed above and a few extra benefits:
- 3-bureau credit monitoring, alerts, & reports
- Financial account takeover alerts
- Social security number trace alerts
- Change of address alerts
- Court records & booking alerts
- Non-credit loan alerts
- Sex offender registry alerts
IdentityForce Review
IdentityForce is easily one of the oldest LifeLock competitors featured on our list, having been in business for well over three decades.
Not only have they helped individuals and businesses protect their private and credit information, but they have also extended the same services toward prestigious government agencies.
In addition to offering a $1 million guarantee like LifeLock does, IdentityForce also provides plans ranging from $17-$23/month depending on the level of protection you would like to receive.
With an established reputation and international recognition, IdentifyForce is an extremely viable LifeLock alternative.
Key Factors that Enabled This Company to Rank as a Top Alternative to LifeLock
Below are some key features we used to rate IdentityForce as one of this year’s top LifeLock competitors and LifeLock alternatives.
Try Before You Buy
With many protection services in existence, you do not have the opportunity to go through a trial period before you decide to jump in and make the full purchase.
As a matter of fact, most services will put you into a paid plan right away, and you can only hope that your decision was the right one. No amount of research that you do can possibly compare to the first-hand experience of using this type of service.
IdentityForce knows that security is your #1 priority, so they give first-time subscribers the option to try their services free for two weeks.
You will have a chance to fully evaluate their services and determine if they are right for you. If you decide that you want to opt for another service, you can do so at no extra charge.
Impressive Array of Awards
Awards granted by respectable organizations that are known for their high standards and judgment build reputations in the security industry. When a security service continually receives these types of accreditations, it is a good sign that said company can be reliably trusted to protect confidential and private data.
In the case of IdentityForce, they have not only received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for several years, but they have also received approval from the United States’ General Services Administration (GSA).
This means that they are certified to handle credit monitoring, data breach analysis, and independent risk analysis services for federal government agencies. If they can reliably handle breaches in the government, it is a sure bet that they can handle your private data!
Expert Service Available Through a Single Phone Call
There are fewer things worse than being unable to reach a company reliably through a phone call.
Many people find themselves going through hotlines run by amateur staff that cannot handle issues appropriately, and/or speak fluent English. This results in a frustrating experience for the customer and increasingly long wait times.
IdentifyForce takes extra measures to ensure that you will never have this type of experience. Their call center is based entirely in the U.S., and their agents are able to speak multiple languages.
Wait times are very minimal, and every single customer who calls is able to hang up knowing that their issue has been completely resolved.
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Identity Guard Review
Identity Guard was founded two decades ago by Intersections Inc. to provide consumers with the same protection and expertise that was exclusively available to people within the company.
Having evolved from basic credit protection, Identity Guard is now one of the few LifeLock competitors on the market that provides comprehensive coverage across several domains.
Their plans are much more widespread than the LifeLock alternatives featured in this article, ranging from $8.99/month for simple credit card monitoring to a premium $24.99/month package that includes extensive credit coverage, lost wallet protection, computer protection software, and several online financial tools to help keep your finances safe.
Key Factors that Enabled This Identity Theft Company to Rank as a Top LifeLock Alternative
Below are primary reasons we selected Identity Guard to be rated as one of the top alternatives to LifeLock and a best LifeLock competitor.
Transparency in Press Releases and Latest News
One of the most concerning things about security companies in this day and age is a lack of honesty and transparency about their services and where they stand among others. It can give newcomers the impression of shady activity or convince them that the company is going downhill.
This is not a good look for any company, especially not one that promises to keep your valuable information safe. As a top LifeLock competitor, Identity Guard features all press releases that mention their name, no matter what is being said.
Whether they are being pitted against another company that offers similar services or being touted for the amazing benefits that they provide customers, it is all accessible in one easy-to-find place.
Extensive Educational Resources
Neatly organized by tags and topics, the News & Insights section of Identity Guard’s website features a giant database of well-written articles that serve to educate customers on identity theft, security, and protection.
Everything from keeping your Facebook profile devoid of revealing details to avoiding online scams that convince you to donate large sums of money are included in this repository.
Instead of having to dig through a long list of statistical numbers or sit through an hour-long webinar, you can get up-to-date on the latest information in a matter of minutes. The best part is that you can choose and select the articles that are most pertinent to your situation and immediate needs.
Wide Range of Benefits
As one of the top LifeLock alternatives, Identity Guard brings a wide range of security benefits. These include:
- Continuous monitoring with alerts
- 3-bureau credit reports each quarter
- 100% US-based customer service
- Comprehensive data monitoring
- Dedicated case manager
- 30-day trial
Perhaps most notable is that each Identity Guard plan comes insured up to $1 million in stolen funds. Whether you pay $9 or $25 a month, you’ll get the same high-quality insurance, giving you valuable peace of mind.
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ProtectMyID Review
ProtectMyID may be one of the youngest services to be featured among the top LifeLock competitors, but that certainly doesn’t take away from the service that they are able to provide to their customers.
You will find that they are able to offer features unique to themselves despite being around for less than a decade.
In addition to the standard $1 million insurance theft policy that they provide to clients, they are much faster than existing alternatives to LifeLock in the immediate resolution of any security breaches. This means that there is almost no chance of any criminal being able to use your information for their own benefit.
Key Factors that Enabled This Service to Rank as a Top Alternative to LifeLock
Below are some of the most significant reasons we selected ProtectMyID as one of year’s top LifeLock competitors and alternatives to LifeLock.
Surveillance Alert Notifications
Whenever an identity thief attempts to steal and use your personal information, you will know about it at that very instant. ProtectMyID sends you text and email alerts to notify you of when this is happening so that you can react to it.
Whether it is on your credit report, your monthly statement, or on the Internet where your data was traded and sold, you will know about it immediately.
Following this, agents at ProtectMyID will work with you to make the resolution process as quick and as thorough as possible. With an average of 21 hours spent resolving identity theft without help, it’s certainly a huge timesaver to have a company that understands the process.
Direct Relationship with Experian
One of the key features offered by this top LifeLock competitor is their ability to leverage the strong relationship they have with Experian. In short, Experian is the world’s largest credit reporting agency.
ProtectMyID can access personal identities and leverage Experian’s power in order to provide maximum security and protection against identity theft.
Many reliable sites and services in the security sector happen to be part of Experian Interactive, and this gives additional credibility to the validity and integrity of the protection that ProtectMyID can provide to its customers.
If customers are familiar with one of Experian’s other companies, they can sign up knowing that they are getting the best quality service that their money can buy them.
Educational FAQs
Image Source: ProtectMyID
The problem with most online FAQs on security websites is that they involve questions regarding the use of their services alone. Teaching the basic concepts behind data security and identity theft on separate pages can make for disjointed reading.
As a result, customers have an incomplete understanding of what is really happening when they attempt to protect their own data.
As you can see in the screenshot posted above, ProtectMyID takes a clever approach in integrating basic concepts with questions regarding the protection they provide.
Once you learn about a definition or concept, the next question immediately shows you how that is applied toward ProtectMyID’s services. The connection is made immediately in the reader’s head, and they know exactly what they are getting when they sign up with ProtectMyID.
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Conclusion – Top 5 LifeLock Alternatives
So, what is the best alternative to LifeLock? Which companies like LifeLock should you seek out to meet your security needs?
It really depends on your individual preferences and what you feel most comfortable with, but any of the fraud protection services mentioned here will serve you well.
Although we have featured the best LifeLock competitors that we could find, identity theft and protection is a two-way street. Even though you may have the best service available, you are equally responsible for following security practices and guidelines in order to keep your data safe from predators.
It is important that you take advantage of the educational resources provided by these LifeLock alternatives and learn how to properly handle your private information.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call up any of the companies featured in this article! Most of them will be happy to provide you with a free consultation to help you decide if a given service is best for you.
Even if you do not choose any of the companies featured in this article, you will be better informed in making a suitable choice!
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Reasonable efforts have been made by AdvisoryHQ to present accurate information, however all info is presented without warranty. Review AdvisoryHQ’s Terms for details. Also review each firm’s site for the most updated data, rates and info.
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