Best Credit Monitoring Services Guide & Reviews of 2021

ID Watchdog is an Equifax company, so it makes sense that customers can get their results from this bureau. If they want info from all three major bureaus, they will have to sign up for the top-tier package. This ranges in price from $19.95 to $34.95 per month, depending on if it’s for individuals or families. Speaking of which, parents can add up to four kids on their plan, which is fairly good.

They can also set up custom alerts for checking/savings accounts, debit cards, and investments. Other perks include breach notifications and stolen funds reimbursement.

ID Watchdog’s credit monitoring services include a 100% identity theft resolution guarantee. However, the terms are not clearly stated to customers until they commit to signing up. All they know ahead of time is that the company specializes in ID recovery/restoration and has a team of certified risk management specialists.

This could cause a lot of people to turn to another credit monitoring competitor. With a bit of digging, they can find additional info and details about this. For example, the terms of the policy are dictated by one of ID Watchdog’s partners, the American Bankers Insurance Company.

Consumers can check that out if they want more info, but they can know that if they fall victim to a stolen ID, they have access to the brand’s fully managed resolution. That aside, client reviews allude to the business’s $1 million reimbursement policy and its assistance in helping users freeze accounts in case of an emergency. Before purchasing, keep in mind that the basic plan lacks credit reports and scores.

This company goes beyond credit monitoring. It’s a great choice for individuals as well as those that want to protect their families. That said, there aren’t any child-specific plans with this business, but the family package can cover kids. Perhaps to attract more parents, it offers a cyberbullying monitor to oversee online transgressions.

Another unique capability is the use of IBM Watson’s artificial intelligence. This makes scanning the dark Web and social media sites much more efficient. Also, clients can sign on to a policy that ensures clients up to $1 million for stolen fund reimbursement. That means if their identity is stolen, the support team springs into action to resolve the crisis and support the victim through credit monitoring until everything is restored.

To help keep people of all ages safe online, Identity Guard has a safe browsing extension that can pick up on millions of data points. This can lead to faster notifications and recovery processes in case a client’s info is lost to a scammer or hacker.

It’s also an indispensable tool for those who have kids or teens at home. Younger people are prone to giving away their details over the Web, so having some extra reinforcements in place is a huge advantage.

The same goes for seniors since they often become susceptible to Internet scams. Another cool addition is the risk management grading, which looks at how secure a customer’s accounts truly are. The mobile app ensures that they can reach their profile any time they need to, as well as receive push notifications in case of a financial emergency.

With this provider, members can get quarterly access to their FICO scores, so they’re in a better position to buy a home or car or to support their next big purchase. They can check-in with all three of the major bureaus straight from the user dashboard. There, they can view convenient tracking graphs that outline their card purchases and other financial metrics. These visuals make it easy to see where things could be improved, as well as to catch any foreign transactions.

That said, the business sends alerts as soon as it discovers fraudulent activity. Clients get alerts for new inquiries, data breaches, and false applications. They can also access their finances and additional info via the mobile app. It has 4.3 out of 5 stars on the Google Play Store and has great reviews from users.

They say that the app makes it easy to track all of the factors that impact FICOs and other financial records. The design is intuitive and has resources where clients can find answers to their burning questions.

MyFICO’s credit monitoring services are pricier than most, but it’s a good deal for homeowners. The dashboard will track mortgages, loans, and other applications. Members get coverage for data breaches, stolen IDs, and fraudulent bank activity, too. There is even a history analysis so they can see their progress and patterns.

Different tools help them build credit and financial stability towards their buying or savings goals. Also, users get alerts for changes to their credit information, including newly opened accounts, new inquiries, new public records, new addresses, newly listed collections, and changes to their account balances.

Experian brings credit monitoring and FICO scoring to customers. Plus, its range of comprehensive tools means that anyone can protect their finances. There are individual and family set-ups, even for larger familial units (up to 10 kids). In addition to its regular check-ups, the company does black market surveillance and looks at the goings-on of the dark Web.

Other perks include ID restoration tools, payday loan reporting, lost wallet assistance, and social security number tracing. While it is slightly more expensive than many competitors, it has a wide selection of functions for users. That said, clients can opt for monthly or annual billing, depending on their finances.

Experian is one of the three major bureaus, so it’s already a force to be reckoned with. Add to that the many features and capabilities, and it’s a surefire choice for many consumers. It monitors social media, bank cards, court records, and the national sex offender registry for false claims.

Moreover, it looks at file-sharing networks to make sure there isn’t any at-risk info out there. It alerts customers when someone tries to place a hard inquiry on their profile and makes it easy for customers to lock and unlock their files. There will be blocks for any unauthorized access to the client’s profile.

One thing to be aware of is the delayed credit monitoring upon signing up (~48 hours). This is worth pointing out because someone might sign up and assume that their protective plan goes immediately into effect. That may lead to unwise spending habits or a lack of care while browsing online.

Credit monitoring from IDShield is expensive, but it also comes with a wide range of features. For example, the family bundle includes two adults and up to 10 children. Customers can get their quarterly review from the three major bureaus and their new scores every month. Clients can access alerts that trigger whenever there is fraudulent or unusual activity on their bank cards and accounts as well.

There is even investment monitoring, which is a huge bonus. The maximum ID theft coverage is $1 million, but of course, this depends on which package one chooses. Unlike some of the other options on this list, IDShield does not have loan calculators or scoring simulators.

That’s okay, though, because there are other credit monitoring tools that customers can take advantage of. This includes reimbursement and restoration, SSN tracing, and reputation management.

Set-up is a bit difficult because it works with some third-party organizations, including LegalShield, which benefits truck drivers. That aside, some of the perks of IDShield, in particular, are Dark Web alerts, sex offender records, and notifications about data breaches. The user dashboard is fairly easy to navigate and has simple graphics to portray transactions and changes.

This is also where clients can assess their preparedness for taking out a home or auto loan. Another nice touch is the medical ID and store card tracking, two forms of identification that are prone to hackers and scammers.

The company’s intensive Dark Web scanning looks at court records, social media accounts, and payday loan agencies to make sure client info isn’t floating around.

While there are no-cost solutions out there, Credit Karma is the one that offers the most features with no monthly fees. Therefore, it’s a great choice for millennials or those who are new to building up buying history. The platform sets everything up nice and smoothly, with clear visuals and color-coded categories.

Plus, it’s available via a mobile app for better user-friendliness. The business checks in with Equifax and TransUnion for weekly scoring, plus it has its tax refund assistance for customers.

The network is very good about alerting clients as soon as something funky shows up on the financial records, so people don’t have to constantly worry about their assets.

All that said, there is a bigger gap in credit monitoring services here compared to others on this list. It lacks some of the more traditional tools, such as tracing social security number usage. Moreover, if people want to get their check-ins from Experian, they will have to use a different provider. On the bright side, this company has lots of helpful info on its blog.

There are resources on saving for a home, applying for a mortgage, and getting out of financial ruin. The debt repayment calculator helps individuals find out how long they can expect to pay off their student loans.

Over 100 million people use Karma for its card and loan options, as well as the ability to open a high-interest Karma savings account. This makes Credit Karma great not only for credit monitoring, but for loans, cards, financial service, and additional resources for building personal finances.

This provider recently went through a process in which EZShield acquired it. That said, the company has a stunning track record and is a trusted resource for many government agencies in the United States. At the same time, it has the trusted, small-business feeling of being family-owned.

Its credit monitoring assistance covers the bases as well as a whole lot more, but clients need to be willing to pay extra for all of those benefits. To be fair, the business has a 100% recovery success rate and a 95% customer satisfaction rating. It keeps 98% of its clients.

Even though it’s a business, it still seems like this provider cares about the people it serves. The fact that it’s been a family-owned credit monitoring service for four generations is a testament to its personal commitment. Plus, there are different insurance policies, anti-theft features, and much more.

Certain features may seem small, but they add up to make a big difference, like opting out of junk mail. On a larger scale, it monitors info coming from auto dealerships, banks, court records, lenders, and more. There’s also a convenient simulator that mimics what a person’s credit grade would be based on debit card usage and more.

Depending on the package, users can get lost wallet assistance, medical ID fraud prevention, and stolen funds coverage up to $1 million. Support over the phone is always toll-free. This hooks clients up with a credit monitoring agent who can assist in accessing a credit report or score, bank cards, and other identity-related features.

With TransUnion credit monitoring, clients can get their monthly alerts to see how their scores and reports are doing. Keep in mind that TransUnion does single-bureau credit monitoring only. If people want to check in with Experian or Equifax, they will have to go through another provider.

With that in mind, TransUnion will alert consumers whenever there is a change to their listed accounts. This includes credit and debit charges, home and auto loans, collections, public records, and tax liens.

The organization also gives users monthly tips and advice so they can take their financial stability into their hands. They can also access their finances and info from their handheld devices. The accompanying app is colorful, user-friendly, and expertly laid out to put consumers in control.

TransUnion is a good option for borrowers, whether they’re taking out loans for a vehicle, education, or another large purchase. Along with its credit monitoring, the business is a great resource for assisting customers through any major purchase they’re going through. It’s good for homeowners, but it’s also a favorite among renters and loan borrowers. That’s an important distinction to make because so many companies tailor their features to people who own their homes.

Also, there are plans available that include reporting from Equifax, but the basic packages are more limited in scope. That said, there are plenty of tools and resources for users to explore. This includes a simulator for predictive scoring, mortgage browsing, and calculators for determining loan amounts and repayment timelines.

Moreover, ID fraud prevention comes at no cost. Those who want the full package will have to pay $24.95 each month.

Lots of people remember the LifeLock commercials of the old days. This seemed to be one of the most popular companies of its kind, although it has many more rivals to compete against in 2021. Regardless, this business can give consumers adequate coverage if they’re willing to pay for the more expensive plan.

At nearly $30 per month, it isn’t a price that everyone will be willing to pay, but the benefits are profound. It includes things like alerts for crimes committed in the client’s name as well as regular scanning for names in the national sex offender registry.

Being able to access a free report, updated credit monitoring, and countless other resources means that individuals can take their financial health into their own hands.

It’s clear that LifeLock goes beyond the usual credit monitoring services. Still, it would be nice to see more social media tracking, as this is becoming a huge concern for both individuals and businesses.

People share so much info on these platforms, so it’s crucial to do regular checks for fraudulent activity. Even so, this provider monitors home titles and USPS address change verifications. It also searches file-sharing networks for unusual patterns. Its data breach notifications help customers know about these financial emergencies sooner rather than later.

A word about LifeLock: it offers superb credit monitoring, as demonstrated when the CEO posted his identity info everywhere. Yes, he did have 13 cases of attempted identity theft, but because the company knew what it was doing, there weren’t any serious ramifications. In other words, LifeLock has all of the tools and resources that individuals need to keep their credit scores high, their transaction history current, and their worries at ease.

PrivacyGuard boasts highly rated customer support, and its call centers are staffed with trained professionals. A testament to the company’s dedication is that it is constantly adding new features to its lineup. Some of its latest capabilities include mobile app access with secure browsing.

This Digital Protection App makes it simple for customers to keep their online shopping sprees, bank transactions, and cards, and credit monitoring reports in check. Plus, it tells clients whenever they visit an unsafe site. This makes shopping and conducting business over the Internet much safer.

On the other hand, the enterprise is not rated with the BBB, which may raise some eyebrows. Also, while it will help with scanning public records, tracing social security numbers, and protecting against the Dark Web, there aren’t any investment or 401k monitors available.

PrivacyGuard is most suited to individuals, although it is possible to add a child to a package. However, this will only cover social security number tracking for the child. The paying parent will have access to all of the benefits on their plan, including 24/7 monitors and monthly triple-bureau check-ins.

The company scours the Web for passport numbers, SSNs, dates of birth, and other critical info. It will let clients know as quickly as possible if there is fraudulent activity on their profile, a loan application, or a checking or savings account.

To make the deal sweeter, people can try it for 14 days for just one dollar. While this isn’t necessarily a free trial, it’s a great deal for those who want to get their feet wet in the world of credit monitoring, insurance, and protection.