ID Shield Identity Theft Protection 2024 Review

Expert Review

IDShield is a part of LegalShield which is meant to provide protection against a variety of situations. IDShield covers privacy and security monitoring and offers consultation services through its partner company Kroll Inc. Between the two of them, they take extra precautions so you don’t have to, and provide some of the best technology on the market to make it happen. From family monitoring to restoration, this is an affordable plan for those who want excellent protection. Consistently receiving good to excellent ratings by independent research reports, IDShield has an impressive array of features.

What We Like

IDShield’s website is professionally designed and masterful in communicating their dedication in supplying their customers with the best identity theft protection available. They’ve clearly taken the time to research the many ways that identity theft can touch someone’s life and have a variety of ways to alert you if something goes wrong. For the consumer who also wants to understand more about safe practices and what they’re doing to protect themselves when they sign up with IDShield, their unlimited consultations answer and address the many questions and concerns you may have. Shop online with total confidence or save yourself from a panic if you misplace your wallet when you choose IDShield. LegalShield has been accredited by the BBB since 1995. In addition, this company provides $5 million in coverage should you be a target which definitely separates them for other identity theft services. Customers say they feel reassured by their experiences with customer service.

What We Don’t Like

They’re partnering with Kroll, so you subject yourself to a middle man when you choose this option. You also receive credit reports from TransUnion rather than all 3 bureaus. Considering they all monitor differently, they’re missing out 2 crucial services that may have caught fraud earlier. Their mobile site has been rated as needing work by independent reviewers. The majority of the complaints about them on the BBB are typically about the product or the billing policies. However, the percentage of people who complain is quite small, and IDShield does seem eager to respond to harmful comments about the way they handle their affairs. The negative comments are likely to decrease over time.

The Bottom Line

There are few companies out there who compare with IDShield, and their experience in the field and mission statement is a testament to the type of care you’ll be receiving should something go wrong. LifeLock, the industry leader, might be a good comparison to IDShield based on their features. Whether you’re a conscientious consumer who wants to fully comprehend the many ways criminals might get ahold of your information or you just want to be able to browse online without worrying, this is definitely a plan worth considering based on its price and level of protection.

How IDShield Works

This company has broken it down by three categories, and each comes with a whole host of features and incentives. Their terms are easy to understand, the information is clear and the site is easy to navigate.

• Consultation: Regardless of when you call, you can get help during an emergency. You also have access to a Kroll Licensed Private Investigator during regular business hours. They offer advice like how to spot scams, read a credit report, reduce junk mail and stop medical, minor, deceased and criminal fraud. Get more information about financial transactions both online and off, the best ways to use your social security number and the risks you taken when you communicate online. If your wallet is lost or stolen you’ll receive assistance. IDShield will also perform credit freezes and alerts to credit agencies. They’ll search for sex offenders in your area, and alert you if there’s any type of issue or data breach with your identity through any medium.
• Credit Monitoring: IDShield will monitor your SSN, up to 10 credit cards and bank accounts as well as allow you to view your credit at any time without affecting your score. Get quarterly updates on your credit and track your score for valuable insight into increasing your credit strength. They’ll also monitor any type of payday loan establishments and more than 500 million criminal records for your information.
• Privacy Monitoring: IDShield monitors your name, date of birth, driver’s license and passport information and up to 10 email addresses, phone numbers and medical ID numbers. They’re watching the black market sites, internet relay chat channels and peer-to-peer file sharing networks for anything that might cause alarm. Get personal alerts on your email, through MyIDShield and in-person support.
• Restoration: To get you back on track should you become a victim, IDShield collaborates with credit card companies, financial institutions, creditors, collection agencies, law enforcement and property managers. If they have to, they’ll take your case to the Federal Trade Commission, Federal Reserve Bank, Department of Motor Vehicles, Comptroller of the Currency, the State Attorney, Social Security Administration and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, among others. They’ll search court and state databases, records, clearinghouses and logs for your information in order to entirely erase the effects of identity theft.

IDShield Plans & Pricing

There are 2 plans, depending on whether you want individual or family protection that include:

The family plan features the following additions to the above.

IDShield Member Support

There is no mailing address or hours listed, but there is a general customer support number.

General Support: 1-888-494-8519

IDShield History & Additional Information

The story of founder Harland Stonecipher is proudly displayed on both LegalShield and IDShield’s company pages. The company started because he was involved in an accident that wasn’t his fault, and ended up losing his savings having to get lawyers involved. Frustrated with this idea that justice was only available to the rich, he started IDShield to ensure no one else ever had the same problems. IDShield states you can get the same services LifeLock offers for up to 67 percent less on their site. Their site and reviews indicate they’ve found a way to offer something of true value to their customers, and in 2015 they were recognized as one of the leaders of their field by Javelin Strategy & Research in the direct to consumer market.