How Does Credit Monitoring Work?
When you sign up for Aura’s credit monitoring, you’ll get 250x faster fraud alerts3, a monthly credit score, three-bureau credit monitoring, one-tap Experian credit lock, identity and Dark Web monitoring, and more.
Enrollment
Sign up by entering your name, email, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and billing information.
.png)
Identity Verification
Aura confirms your identity using a secure link sent to your phone or email, or by asking questions based on your credit profile.
Monitoring and Alerts
Once verified, Aura monitors your credit reports and sends real-time alerts for any significant or suspicious changes.
.svg)
What Credit Monitoring Does
Credit monitoring services like Aura track updates to your credit file, including new accounts (like credit cards or personal loans), hard inquiries, and public records like bankruptcies.
Aura can not only help flag suspicious activity but also help maintain a healthy credit history and score by keeping you informed of changes reported to the major credit reporting agencies.
Instant Experian CreditLock
Lock your Experian credit file for free with an on-off toggle in Aura's mobile app. If someone tries to access your file while it’s locked, you’ll be notified with a real-time alert.
Three-Bureau Monitoring
Get notifications for changes to your Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion credit files, such as new accounts or authorized users. Near-real-time alerts for any inquiries are also available.
Bank, Auto, & Home Title Monitoring
Aura keeps a watch over your bank accounts, auto loans, and property titles for unauthorized changes like adding new account holders or co-owners.
Financial Transaction Monitoring
Track all your transactions — credit cards, investment and bank accounts, 401(k)s — in one place, and set up threshold alerts to catch early signs of fraud.
Credit Score & Report Access
Get monthly VantageScore® credit scores — different from FICO — to monitor your credit profile and health. Request updated credit reports annually.
Dark Web & Data Breach Monitoring
Credit-related Dark Web alerts may be sent if your credit card number is found on the Dark Web, your financial data is exposed in a breach, or your device is hacked.
What It Does Not Do
Granted you can monitor your own credit, Aura provides a faster, automated way to stay on top of changes. Credit monitoring can help you spot early signs of identity theft, but it can't prevent fraud from happening or:
.svg){kind=icon}
Stop skimming or fraudulent credit card charges.
Directly dispute and fix errors on your credit report.
File reports of fraud on your behalf.
Freeze your credit for you.
Notify you of fraudulent tax filings or refunds claimed in your name.
Prevent phishing attempts or scams.
Protect your personal information from data breaches.
Warn you about unauthorized transactions in savings accounts.
Help remove your personal information — email, name, address, and phone number — from data broker sites.
Alert you if your designated financial accounts, mailing address, and other types of personal information are found on the Dark Web.
Aura Plans and Pricing
Try all of Aura’s online safety features risk-free. Sign up for an annual membership and enjoy a 60-day money-back guarantee.² See the full feature list.
Family
Couple
Individual
Kids
Aura Provides Online Safety Beyond Credit Monitoring
Credit monitoring is an essential online safety tool — but it won't warn you of all forms of fraud, or provide support if you become the victim of identity theft. As an Aura customer, you're also protected by:
Identity Theft Protection
Aura can monitor your personally identifiable information (PII) across data breaches, the Dark Web, and public records, alerting you to any possible leaks.
Identity Theft Remediation Services
Aura can facilitate three-ways calls with creditors, banks, and merchants to help restore your identity. These entities will, however, need to verify your identity directly.
Identity Theft Insurance
Aura offers up to $1 million per adult (up to $5 million per adult with the Family plan) as insurance for eligible out-of-pocket expenses due to identity theft.
Try all of Aura’s online safety features risk-free. If you don’t feel safer after signing up for Aura, we offer a 60-day money-back guarantee on all annual plans — no questions asked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Aura help me get access to my credit report?
.svg){kind=icon}
Federal law allows you to get a free credit report from each of the three nationwide bureaus every 12 months. Aura will help members request these credit reports:
- Go to https://my.aura.com/sign-in and sign in to your Aura account.
- In the top menu, hover over Me and select Credit.
- Click on the Your credit report icon (hover over it to see the label).
- Select Request Report.
If you suspect identity theft, Aura’s Expert Fraud Remediation team will monitor your credit report every 24 hours.
What fraud alerts could I receive from Aura?
- Dark Web monitoring: Aura will send alerts if any online accounts tied to your email addresses are found on the Dark Web. Monitor up to 10 email addresses per user.
- Personal information and Social Security number (SSN) alerts: If your registered phone numbers, passport numbers, driver’s license information, SSNs, or health insurance IDs are found online, you’ll receive an alert.
- Identity monitoring: Alerts you when Aura finds that your identity (for example, past addresses, SSN, or security questions) was used for verification during transactions, like opening bank accounts or wire transfers.
- Home title monitoring: Notifies you if Aura finds unauthorized changes are made to your property title, such as adding co-owners or removing your name.
- Criminal and court records monitoring: Sends alerts if Aura finds your identity is used in criminal activities, traffic violations, or appears on sex offender registries.
- Financial transaction monitoring: Tracks your credit cards, bank accounts, 401(k), and investment accounts, alerting you to transactions over thresholds you set.
- Bank account monitoring: Alerts you if Aura finds someone attempted to change your bank account details or add new account holders.
- Credit monitoring: Besides near-real-time alerts about new credit accounts, also receive notifications if a creditor tries to locate you or logs a debt settlement.
How else can I monitor my information for identity theft?
For an annual or monthly fee, Aura's identity monitoring tracks your personal information across credit files, the Dark Web, data breaches, and public records. However, Aura may not catch all forms of fraudulent activity. As a precaution, you should actively monitor your:
- Bank statements: Are there unfamiliar charges on your checking or savings accounts? Pay attention to unexpected ATM withdrawals, online purchases, or new automatic payments.
- Unfamiliar bills or debt collection notices: Look for bills or debt collection notices for accounts or services you didn’t open. Recent debts may not immediately appear on credit reports.
- Tax filing: If the IRS rejects your tax return because one has already been filed, or you get calls asking for personal or financial information, someone may be trying to commit tax fraud.
- Medical statements and bills: Do your medical bills and insurance Explanation of Benefits (EOB) list treatments or prescriptions you didn’t receive? Errant doctor visits, lab tests, or surgeries could also point to identity fraud.
- Social Security statement: Check your Social Security earnings record for incorrect income. If you get notices about benefits applications or are denied benefits, someone may be misusing your SSN.
How do I lock my credit with Aura?
When your credit is locked, financial institutions can’t access your credit report to approve new credit applications. This reduces your chances of being a victim of identity theft.
Aura members can lock their Experian credit file for free using the Aura app. Only you can initiate this lock after you verify your identity using your name, address, SSN, and other identity-verification questions.
Are paid credit monitoring services worth it?
Paid services such as Aura are worth it if:
- You want full protection: Coverage across all three credit bureaus, along with identity monitoring, remediation services, and insurance.
- You've been a victim of identity theft: Faster alerts and access to Aura’s Expert Fraud Remediation team can help you limit future fraud.
- You have significant assets or many accounts: Protecting multiple accounts, retirement savings, or home equity might justify the extra cost.
- You want proactive monitoring: Alerts beyond just credit report changes can help you spot fraud early.
If you only need basic monitoring and you’re on a tight budget, a free credit monitoring service may be more suitable.
How can Aura’s Expert Fraud Remediation team help?
Aura's Expert Fraud Remediation team holds Certified Identity Protection Advisor (CIPA)® certification. They can also guide Aura members on their rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA), and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
If you receive a credit alert about an unfamiliar inquiry or account, you may reach out to Aura's U.S.-based support team. This team can assist you through every step of the fraud resolution process including closing any accounts that you didn’t open.
For more information about Aura's financial transaction monitoring, fraud or credit alerts, call 833-552-2123.