Keeping track of report changes from all three credit bureaus is the primary duty offered by the4 best credit monitoring services of 2020. These bureaus, offer these services to help you keep a daily watch on your credit report. This is quite important if you are to stay updated on your credit report on any changes that can be linked to ill activity.
What is Credit Monitoring?
This is a service that grants you access to your credit reports on a regular basis. This is made possible by the service, automating the process, and offering you programs that can scan your account for irregular activity. If any ill activity is noticed, you’ll get an alert notifying you of the changes.
Features
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to credit monitoring services. But you can still expect some general features. They include access to at least one credit report and credit score, and account alerts. Premium services will typically include benefits like identity theft insurance, dark web surveillance, and three-bureau monitoring.
Credit Monitoring Cost
Even though basic credit monitoring services are given for free, those services mostly include access to a single credit report and account monitoring. To get access to all three credit reports and hands-on assistance in a case where your identity is compromised, you may be asked to pay for a credit service.
Based on your needs, and whether you need a service just for yourself or for your whole family, you should expect to pay between $8.99 and $34.95 per month for a credit monitoring service.
How to Choose the Best Companies
To choose the best monitoring companies, the following must be noted. Service based on cost, reviews, TrustPilot score, features, credit bureau reporting, and past security issues.
The 4 Best Credit Monitoring Services of 2020
Complete ID
If you are looking for the best low-cost option of a credit monitoring service then Complete ID is it. This company’s services offers you comprehensive protection and free services. Charging just $8.99 for Costco members, you can get access, to a suite of credit monitoring and identity protection tools.
Who is Complete ID For?
For someone who wants more protection than free services offer, but does not want to spend a lot of money.
Advantages of Complete ID
- Charges a cheap price
- Monitoring of all three credit bureaus.
- Up to $1 million in identity theft insurance.
Disadvantages of Complete ID
- Complete ID is only available to Costco members.
- Credit reports are only available on an annual basis.
- Scores are updated annually.
Costco members can sign up for a Complete ID for $8.99 per month. This is less than other service charges out there. A Costco gold membership costs $60 per year. Apart from being able to buy Complete ID, Costco members can also shop at Costco wholesale locations. Members can also take advantage of Costco programs like life insurance, product installation, and auto repair services which makes the overall membership cost well worth it.
With Complete ID, you will receive alerts if there are changes to your account. Complete ID also includes Social Security number monitoring, dark web surveillance, and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance. In a situation where your information is stolen, you have 24/7 access to a U.S.-based support team.
PrivacyGuard
PrivacyGuard is best for extra protection. It provides monitoring for your credit reports and credit scores for all three credit bureaus. Daily credit monitoring sends you alerts by text, e-mail or via your phone whenever your credit report changes.
In addition, You can start a phase with PrivacyGuard for just $1 for the first 14 days. Thereafter, you’ll be charged the monthly fee based on the plan of your choice. PrivacyGuard offers basic ID protection for $9.99 per month. Up to $1 million in ID theft insurance is included. Credit protection for $19.99 per month, comes with your three-bureau credit reports and scores, daily credit monitoring, and a credit score simulator. The total protection plan stands at $24.99 per month and includes all the features of the Credit Protection and ID Protection Plans.
Who is PrivacyGuard For?
PrivacyGuard only has plans for individuals, even though you can monitor the Social Security number of minor children. PrivacyGuard service does not fully protect minor children’s identity, and may likely need to purchase additional coverage for them.
Residents of Iowa, Rhode Island, and Vermont are ineligible for PrivacyGuard.
Advantages of PrivacyGuard
- Monthly three-bureau credit reports and scores.
- $1 trial for 14 days
- Has features like secure keyboard and browser apps for added security
Disadvantages of PrivacyGuard
- Does not offer family plans.
- Not accredited by BBB or rated by TrustPilot.
- Not available to all residents.
IdentityForce
IdentityForce consists of two basic identity and credit card monitoring products. While the UltraSecure plan includes identity monitoring services, the UltraSecure+Credit plan monitors both your identity and your credit.
The UltraSecure plan goes for $12.99 per month and 129.90 per year. This service includes lots of features that monitor your personal information and sends you alerts if your information is compromised. Subscribers also get $1 million in identity theft insurance, which comes in handy in covering expenses linked with clearing up identity theft. The UltraSecure+Credit plan on the other hand goes for $19.99 per month. It includes all the identity protection features of the UltraSecure plan. Additionally, it also includes three-bureau credit monitoring, credit reports and scores, and credit stimulator to show you how your actions might affect your credit score. Currently, the company offers two free months of monitoring when you purchase an annual plan.
Advantages of IdentityForce
- Firstly, Offers $1 million in identity theft insurance
- Secondly, Daily credit report monitoring.
- Solid customer reviews.
Disadvantages of IdentityForce
- Does not have a free trial.
- Also, Legal fees and personal expenses are not covered by insurance
- Finally, Child identity coverage is an added cost.
Identity Guard
Identity Guard is a credit monitoring service that keeps close tabs on your credit files from all three major credit bureaus. It has a range of three plans that you can choose from. They include Value, Total, and Premier plans, which is either for you or your family. Plans include $1 million of identity theft insurance, a U.S.-based case manager to work with you if your identity is stolen, a mobile application to access your membership information, and alerts when your personal information is detected on the Dark Web. It also includes a monthly credit score, three-bureau credit monitoring, and accounts takeover alerts.
Identity Guard plans range from $8.99 – $24.99 for individual and $14.99-$34.99 for family protection. If you change your mind about your subscription, you have to cancel before the trial ends in order to avoid being charged.
Advantages of Identity Guard
- Monitoring of all three major credit bureaus.
- Plans that cover for you and family.
- $1 million of identity theft insurance.
Disadvantages of Identity Guard
- Quite comprehensive for its price.
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