IDShield Review: Worth Your Money in 2024?

Is your identity safe with IDShield? We're diving into how IDShield works to protect your digital identity. We'll cover their dark web surveillance, instant fraud alerts, and assess if they're a trustworthy choice for identity theft protection.

In today's world where everything is online, our personal and financial details are more exposed than ever to cybercriminals. Protecting ourselves against identity theft is now essential. The consequences of identity theft can be far-reaching, affecting everything from your bank balance to your credit score and personal reputation. This is why it's important to keep an eye on your information and act quickly if something seems off.

We've taken a close look at IDShield's identity theft protection services, examining their credit monitoring, dark web surveillance, and alert systems. Our review reflects an in-depth analysis of IDShield's features and services, leveraging insights from a comprehensive examination of the user experience, customer support, and overall value.

While we haven't simulated identity theft scenarios or made numerous credit inquiries, our rigorous assessment methodology ensures that we provide a credible evaluation of the service's effectiveness in the real world. Our goal is to find out if IDShield can handle the complex and ever-evolving challenges of today's digital world.

Let's unpack the suite of features IDShield brings to the table.

Key takeaways

• IDShield provides identity theft protection with complete monitoring services, recovery help, and insurance coverage of up to $3 million for individual and family plans.
• While IDShield's features are extensive, including credit and Social Security number (SSN) monitoring, you might get overwhelmed with alerts.
• IDShield stands out in the identity protection market with its team of licensed private investigators for restoration, clear pricing, and an easy-to-use platform with a 30-day free trial.

IDShield pros and cons

IDShield carves out a niche in identity protection with its comprehensive service suite:

Now, let's take a brief look at the identity protection features that IDShield offers.

IDShield identity theft protection features overview

IDShield offers more than just identity protection. Here are some of the benefits:

• Credit reports monitoring – It keeps an eye on your credit reports from TransUnion, and optionally Experian and Equifax, notifying you of any new inquiries or accounts.

• Dark web monitoring – Scans the dark web's shadowy corners to detect and alert you of any personal details, like credit card numbers or medical IDs, found in this notorious online underworld.

• Social Security number monitoring – Constant surveillance of your SSN to quickly identify any unauthorized activity or new credit applications.

• Up to $3 million in coverage – Financial protection with substantial coverage for legal fees and expenses incurred due to identity theft.

• Licensed private investigators – Expert assistance to help restore your identity in the unfortunate event of theft.

• VPN protection – Secure your internet connection and maintain privacy online with a virtual private network.

• Malware protection – Defend against malicious software that could compromise your personal data.

• Password manager– Secure and manage your passwords to prevent unauthorized access to your accounts.

• Parental controls – Manage and monitor your children’s online activity to keep them safe from digital threats.

• Social media scanning – Analysis of your social media accounts to identify any potential privacy breaches or content that could damage your reputation.

• Public and court record monitoring – Surveillance of public and court databases to inform you of any changes that could suggest identity theft, such as address changes, court judgments, or legal changes indicating illicit use of your identity.

• Medical data reports – It review medical claims and records to ensure your information isn't being used fraudulently for medical services or prescriptions.

• Reputation management services – Ongoing support to clean up and refine your online presence, ensuring your personal information reflects your best self over time.

• Lost wallet support – Assistance if you lose your wallet, including help canceling and replacing credit cards and identification documents.

See all IDShield features here >

Now, let's delve into how IDShield works to protect you.

What IDShield is and how does it work?

IDShield is a service designed to shield your identity in the digital realm. It offers a comprehensive set of tools that constantly scan for unauthorized use of your credit files and personal data. You'll receive instant alerts if potential misuse is detected, helping you to act swiftly to protect your identity. Additionally, IDShield extends a helping hand with recovery services, including compensation for lost wages and legal advice, should you ever fall victim to identity theft.

With a focus on monitoring your credit, keeping an eye on your SSN, and combing through the dark web for your personal information, IDShield aims to cover all bases. Plans include features like neighborhood safety alerts, which let you know if a registered sex offender moves nearby, and social media monitoring, which helps keep your online reputation intact. If you need advice, consultations with identity theft experts are readily available. Each plan includes up to $3 million in insurance to cover the costs associated with identity theft.

Like similar services, IDShield can't completely prevent identity theft, but it will alert you quickly to any exposure of your personal information, from your SSN to your email credentials. The service also guides you through the recovery process if your identity is compromised and keeps you informed about social media content that could influence your job prospects.

Company background: Can we trust IDShield?

IDShield, developed by LegalShield – a company formerly known as Pre-Paid Legal with a history dating back to 1972 – specializes in vigilant identity theft protection and credit monitoring services.

LegalShield, rebranded in 2011, launched IDShield to extend its mission of providing accessible legal and security services. As an Oklahoma-based company, IDShield operates under US jurisdiction. This location means that, under international intelligence-sharing agreements such as the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and 14 Eyes alliances, the company could be compelled to hand over personal information if mandated by government agencies.

IDShield enjoys a high customer satisfaction rating, a stellar 4.7 stars on Trustpilot. Despite the acclaim, some customers have voiced concerns over the website's usability and the lack of live support during weekends. Additionally, customers have complained about the customer service, especially in quickly resolving problems related to unexpected IRS notifications.

Controversies connected to Pre-Paid Legal

Pre-Paid Legal has encountered a few legal challenges over the years. In 2001, the company was scrutinized by the Wyoming attorney general and the SEC, which resulted in a settlement and a restatement of their financial statements after allegations of defrauding a customer in Mississippi.

It also contended with lawsuits in Alabama and Mississippi, including a fraud case resulting in a $9.9 million punitive damages award. Although many lawsuits were settled or dismissed, and some court victories were achieved, issues persisted. The FTC's investigation into their marketing practices concluded in 2010 with changes to the company's advertising but no further action.

Still, considering IDShield's solid history with no known data breaches or similar incidents, it seems it prioritizes the security of your sensitive information.

Core Features: What do you get with IDShield?

Exploring the multitude of features IDShield offers, it's clear that this service isn't short on tools to protect your identity.

Credit monitoring across major credit bureaus

With IDShield, you can monitor credit scores through either a single bureau or all three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. By addressing the question of how many credit bureaus to monitor, the service provides continuous observation of consumer credit reports, detecting new credit applications, payment history, and overall debt.

Plus, it also alerts users to important changes such as company credit checks or newly opened financial accounts, all from the convenience of the main dashboard. However, it's worth noting that the basic plans cover only TransUnion. So, if you want monitoring across all three major credit bureaus, you'll have to upgrade to a more advanced plan.

Insurance coverage and identity restoration services

When it comes to insurance coverage, IDShield has you covered. Individual plans come with up to $1 million in coverage, while family plans, which include monitoring across all three major credit bureaus, boast an impressive $3 million in identity theft insurance.

This robust financial safety net ensures that, should identity theft occur, you have a reliable ally to help mitigate the financial impact.

Dark web monitoring

With IDShield, the dark web – an obscure internet layer not indexed by search engines, known for illegal activities – isn't as ominous as it sounds. The service tracks a comprehensive list of 15 types of personal data on the dark web, including email addresses, phone numbers, and credit cards.

The dark web scan tool is designed to detect leaks of member’s sensitive information, scanning for signs of identity theft such as exposed credit cards and medical IDs. If your personal information is identified on the dark web, perhaps due to incidents like a lost or stolen wallet, IDShield promptly alerts you.

Social media vigilance

In today's interconnected world, your online presence can seriously impact your real-world reputation. IDShield understands this and provides vigilant monitoring of your social media profiles across platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Reddit.

The goal is to keep your digital reflection sparkling clean. IDShield actively scans for any content that could compromise your privacy or tarnish your reputation. Plus, with the reputation management feature, you receive proactive alerts about any potentially harmful content, helping you maintain a positive image in the virtual landscape.

24/7 emergency assistance

Unforeseen emergencies don’t wait for business hours, and neither does IDShield. The service ensures 24/7 access to identity theft specialists, ready to assist with any identity-related emergencies.

If you encounter suspicious activities, like unexpected credit score changes or unauthorized personal detail use, IDShield's team is prepared to support you.

Identity threat alerts

Staying ahead of identity threats is crucial. IDShield quickly sends alerts by email and mobile app notifications when it spots your personal info during its monitoring. This quick notification lets you act fast to protect your identity.

SSN monitoring

Your SSN is an important part of your identity, and IDShield works hard to protect it. The service watches your SSN closely and lets you know right away if someone uses it without your permission.

If needed, IDShield's professional investigators can also do a thorough search to uncover any hidden fraud or theft involving your SSN.

IDShield’s security extras

Beyond its core offerings, IDShield also offers a range of additional security extras. However, IDShield's digital security software, including VPN, password management, and antivirus protection, are provided by Trend Micro.

This third-party involvement introduces potential risks of data breaches and security flaws that could compromise sensitive information.

VPN protection

IDShield offers a VPN service. It is called VPN Proxy One and offers a fortified shield for your internet activities. It provides enhanced privacy and security on Windows 10 and 11, supporting users of the latest Windows Store applications.

Quick Tip: If you're unsure about which VPN protocol to use, opt for the “Smart” option. This allows the VPN to automatically switch between protocols based on which one performs best for your connection.

The service features a choice between two leading VPN protocols: WireGuard and OpenVPN. WireGuard offers a modern, high-speed connection with state-of-the-art encryption methods, while OpenVPN provides a reliable balance of security and performance.

While IDShield's VPN service enhances online security with encryption, it falls short for content access. The service's small server network and slower connection speeds limit its utility for streaming and other high-bandwidth activities.

Password manager

While IDShield's password manager, provided by Trend Micro, offers a secure way to manage your passwords, it's important to consider its limitations. While it covers the basics of password management and syncs across multiple devices, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, it requires a strong master password, separate from your Trend Micro account password, to safeguard your stored passwords.

However, after trying it out, we found that the password manager sometimes missed capturing login credentials and lacked advanced features that you might find in other password managers, such as secure password sharing with trusted contacts or digital legacy options.

Malware and ransomware protection

Malware and ransomware can wreak havoc on your digital life. IDShield, in partnership with Trend Micro, provides robust malware and ransomware protection, safeguarding your devices from potential threats.

Minor child monitoring

IDShield provides monitoring services to protect children from identity theft, safeguarding their Social Security numbers and personal information against unauthorized use. Plus, it offers a private investigator to help victims of child identity theft in the recovery process.

Sex offender search and monitoring

IDShield understands that your safety encompasses more than just the online sphere. It gives you alerts if registered sex offenders move near you, so you know what's happening in your neighborhood.

Ease of use: Is IDShield user-friendly?

Ease of use is an essential aspect of any service, and IDShield meets this expectation with a user-friendly interface for daily operations. Setting up IDShield initially requires creating several login profiles on third-party sites, which can get cumbersome. Once set up, the user interface is pretty simple to use.

How to set up your IDShield account

Setting up an IDShield account is relatively straightforward. The process starts with selecting a plan and enrolling, which typically takes only a few minutes. Once the account setup is done, you can feel assured that IDShield's team of security experts is diligently ensuring your protection.

How to use the IDShield mobile app

Our experience with IDShield's mobile app has been positive overall. We found it easy to use and navigate. However, we also encountered occasional issues, especially when attempting to log in with the same credentials as the browser version. This seems to be a common complaint among users, at least according to Trustpilot.

Customer support: What sort of help do you get with IDShield?

IDShield provides different support options, such as FAQs, live chat, phone, and email. While it has a FAQ section, it doesn't have an extensive knowledge base with easy-to-understand guides.

We found the live chat to be quick and helpful every time we used it. Support is available from 7 am to 7 pm CT on weekdays, and there's 24/7 emergency assistance for urgent issues like lost or stolen wallets. Also, emails are typically answered within 24 hours, so you can expect timely help with your questions.

Plans and pricing: Is IDShield worth your money?

IDShield offers plans tailored to meet the needs of individuals and families alike.

Let's explore the pricing details:

• Individual Plan (1-bureau monitoring) – $14.95/month: Includes credit file and personal info web scanning, instant misuse alerts, and access to licensed private investigators for theft restoration.
• Individual Plan (3-bureau monitoring) – $19.95/month – Offers all the features of the one-bureau plan with the added benefit of monitoring across all three major credit bureaus.
• Family Plan (1-bureau monitoring) – $24.95/month – Covers two adults and up to 10 dependent children with credit monitoring, dark web checks, and identity theft recovery aid.
• Family Plan (3-bureau monitoring) – $34.95/month – Extends the family plan to include three-bureau monitoring for complete credit monitoring and protection.

While IDShield's pricing may not be the lowest, its direct access to licensed private investigators, a standout feature not offered by all competitors, could make the investment worthwhile, especially in the event of identity theft.

The basic plans of IDShield monitor only your TransUnion credit report, a common industry practice – for instance, Identity Guard's most affordable plan doesn't include credit monitoring. Also, IDShield could consider offering discounts for longer-term commitments to make their pricing more appealing.

The 30-day free trial allows you to test IDShield's identity protection services, helping you decide if it's the right choice for safeguarding your information.

How private and secure is IDShield?

While IDShield collects a range of personal data necessary for its identity theft prevention services, some users with heightened privacy concerns may find the scope of data collection considerable. The data collected by IDShield encompasses full names, addresses, payment information, and SSNs.

This information is indispensable for IDShield to effectively monitor and detect any unauthorized use or public exposure of your data, including on the dark web. Payment details are, understandably, retained for billing purposes.

In addition to collecting necessary service data, IDShield also gathers website and customer support interaction details like IP addresses and cookie data, which is standard for online services.

Despite being based in the US, which may raise privacy concerns due to stringent government data access laws, IDShield ensures user security through robust practices. The mobile application incorporates multi-factor authentication (MFA), including biometric verification alongside a PIN, for secure access.

With no significant scandals or data breaches since its inception in 1969, IDShield has established a track record of safeguarding user data around the clock.

How to get started with IDShield: A quick guide

Looking to safeguard your identity? Here's a quick guide on getting started with IDShield:

• Go to the website here.

• Select a plan: Choose one or three credit bureau monitoring options based on your needs.

• Provide your information: Fill out the necessary personal and account details for monitoring.

• Complete account setup: Finish the setup process and let IDShield's security experts take over the protection of your identity.

• Enjoy peace of mind: You can rest easy knowing your identity is constantly protected.

If you're not ready to commit, you can use the 30-day free trial to try out IDShield's services.

Alternatives to IDShield: How does it compare to competitors?

In comparison to Aura, which is known for its strong digital security tools, swift fraud alerts, and clear insurance policies, IDShield differentiates itself by providing access to private investigators and reputation management tools. However, Aura includes three-bureau credit monitoring in all its plans, whereas IDShield reserves this feature for its more advanced subscription tiers. (See our Aura review for more info.)

When juxtaposed with LifeLock, both services offer comparable features. Both provide comprehensive monitoring services and up to $3 million in coverage. However, IDShield sets itself apart with dedicated licensed private investigators for their customers. Plus, it offers more user-friendly experiences and prompt alert notifications.

IDShield offers affordable one-bureau monitoring, while IdentityForce stands out with unique features like junk mail opt-out. Both Identity Guard and IdentityForce provide dark web surveillance and up to $1 million for identity restoration, with Identity Guard focusing more on financial monitoring and IdentityForce on alerting credit bureaus of suspicious activities.

Other identity theft protection reviews:

• Aura Review
• Experian IdentityWorks Review
• LifeLock Review
• McAfee Review
• IdentityIQ Review
• Identity Guard Review

IDShield FAQ

Is IDShield legitimate?

Yes, IDShield is a legitimate service provided by LegalShield, a company with a long history dating back to 1972. It offers a comprehensive suite of identity theft protection tools, including credit monitoring, dark web surveillance, and licensed private investigators for identity restoration.

Are IDShield and LegalShield the same?

IDShield is a product offered by LegalShield, which is the parent company. While LegalShield provides legal services, IDShield focuses specifically on identity theft protection and monitoring services.

How private and secure is IDShield?

IDShield takes privacy and security seriously, employing robust practices like multi-factor authentication and biometric verification. As a US-based company, it operates under strict data protection laws, but it has a solid track record with no significant data breaches reported.

What happens to my personal information if I cancel my IDShield subscription?

If you cancel your IDShield subscription, the company will cease monitoring and protecting your personal information. IDShield is likely to retain some of your data for a certain period as required by law and for standard business operations, but you can request the deletion of your personal information according to their privacy policy.

Conclusion: Is IDShield your ultimate weapon against identity theft?

In the battle against identity theft, IDShield stands as a watchful protector, offering critical services like credit and dark web monitoring, alongside social media oversight and identity restoration. Its suite of tools, including licensed private investigators and up to $3 million in insurance, aims to shield your digital life.

IDShield isn't without its flaws though. The potential for alert overload and its US-based operation may raise data privacy concerns. Additionally, the basic plan's limitation to only TransUnion monitoring and the absence of yearly plan discounts could be seen as drawbacks.

Still, IDShield offers a full service that not only keeps track and warns you but also helps fix identity issues. It's a solid option for individuals and families seeking to navigate the complexities of identity protection in today's digital landscape. With IDShield, you can relax knowing your identity is safeguarded, freeing you to focus on life's important moments.

This IDShield identity theft protection review was last updated on July 21, 2024.