The 7 Best Identity Theft Protection Services for Seniors

Which Service Keeps Seniors Safest? 

Last year alone, the FBI reported that senior Americans over the age of 60 lost more than $3.4 billion to identity theft and financial fraud — more than double the amount that people in their 50s lost [*].

Identity theft can have devastating consequences on the financial well-being, credit profile, and reputation of anyone nearing (or currently in) retirement.

That’s where identity theft protection companies can help. 

While there is no guaranteed way to completely prevent all types of identity theft, the best identity theft protection services for seniors can help dramatically reduce the chances of hackers and scammers exploiting your personally identifiable information (PII) and financial accounts.

Key takeaways

• Americans 60 years and older lose billions to fraud and identity theft each year [*].
• Older Americans are prime targets for identity thieves, as seniors are often more trusting of strangers and have larger assets – such as homes and retirement funds.
• Aura is a top choice for senior identity theft protection thanks to its AI-powered suspicious transaction alerts, three-bureau credit monitoring, 24/7 U.S-based support, and easy-to-use digital security tools.

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What To Look for in an Identity Theft Protection Service for Seniors

• Financial fraud protection. Seniors typically have more accounts and assets than other age groups do, which makes them prime targets for scammers. Look for providers that offer monitoring services for all credit files and financial accounts — including 401(k) and savings — and notify customers quickly about potential fraud. 
• Full family coverage. Some premium services offer plans to protect multiple people, including elderly family members and children. Services with flexible family plans can provide peace of mind without excessive costs. 
• Generous identity theft insurance. The best identity theft protection for seniors includes sufficient identity theft insurance to cover potential financial losses, which is especially valuable if you’ve accumulated considerable wealth in the form of investments and real estate.
• Usability and reliable customer support. Protecting your identity and finances should be straightforward. Look for an ID theft protection service that offers an easy-to-use mobile app and expert support that is available 24/7.
• Device and network protection. Check that your identity theft protection service offers cybersecurity tools such as antivirus software, a Virtual Private Network (VPN), and Safe Browsing features to protect you from scams, phishing, and malware.
• Extensive data monitoring. Make sure your identity theft protection service includes Dark Web monitoring to scour data breaches and leaks for your sensitive personal data — such as Social Security numbers (SSN), Medicare information, and phone numbers.

The 7 Best Identity Theft Protection for Seniors Right Now

Whether you’re a senior or a concerned family member looking at plans for an older loved one, make sure you’re getting an affordable plan that offers enough protection. 

Here are our top picks for best identity theft protection for seniors in 2024:

1. Aura

Why we picked it: Aura has built a name for itself in the online safety marketplace due to its all-in-one solution that combines award-winning identity theft protection, credit monitoring with one-click Experian credit lock, the industry’s fastest fraud alerts³, 24/7 customer support, and generous insurance coverage.

For seniors, Aura offers unique features, such as unusual transaction monitoring alerts for linked savings, investment, and retirement accounts — powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Aura’s optional spam text and call protection can prevent scam calls from ever reaching you, while the included digital security suite can help prevent hacking and viruses. 

But where Aura truly shines is with its extensive family protection plans — which can protect up to five adults (even those living in different households). 

With a single Aura family plan, each adult gets access to the same powerful protection features, plus 24/7 support, parental controls, and up to $5 million in identity theft insurance. 

Families can also use Aura’s secure vault to securely share passwords and sensitive documents, while the Family Fraud Alerts Sharing feature allows you to send fraud and identity alerts to trusted family members.

Best plan & average cost: Aura Family Plan at $24.99/month (when you purchase an annual plan by using this special discount link).

While Aura offers competitive pricing on its individual and couple plans, the family plan is by and far the best option for seniors or larger families with older family members. Aura’s family plans offer industry-leading protection for up to five adults (who can reside in different households, such as grandparents or kids away at college), as well as digital security for unlimited devices, AI–powered transaction alerts, spam call and text protection, and more.

Our verdict: Aura's emphasis on family safety, identity protection, financial monitoring, and fraud resolution makes it a top choice for anyone — especially those with older family members.

2. LifeLock by Norton

Why we picked it: LifeLock is one of the most recognizable names in the identity theft protection industry. In addition to monitoring your personally identifiable information (PII) and accounts for signs of identity theft, LifeLock offers a few unique features, including phone takeover and social media monitoring.

Where LifeLock most differs from options such as Aura is in its plan structure. LifeLock offers multiple, different tiers of protection with features such as three-bureau monitoring, financial account monitoring that includes 401(k) accounts, and $3 million in identity theft insurance — but only available on the higher-priced Ultimate Plus plan.

LifeLock’s reputation for data security has come under question over the years.

A security incident last year compromised the passwords of nearly one million LifeLock users [*]. In its earlier days, the company was also fined over $100 million by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for deceptive marketing practices and failure to secure customer data [*].

Best plan & average cost: LifeLock Ultimate Plus at $19.99/month for individuals (when you purchase an annual plan). 

For seniors, LifeLock’s most-expensive Ultimate Plus plan is the only option that includes 401(k) monitoring, three-bureau credit monitoring and alerts, and up to $1 million in stolen funds reimbursement. 

If you want digital security tools that provide all-in-one protection, you’ll need to bundle your LifeLock plan with Norton 360 at $25/month for your first year (and $34.99/month after that).

Our verdict: LifeLock has a recognizable brand name and offers high levels of protection — especially when you bundle it with Norton 360. However, its history of security issues, expensive renewal pricing, and complaints about customer support [*] may make you want to consider an alternative.

💡 Related: How Much Does LifeLock Really Cost? What You Need To Know →

3. Identity Guard

Why we picked it: Identity Guard has been in the identity protection industry for over 25 years and recently partnered with Aura to offer comprehensive ID theft monitoring with rapid fraud alerts. 

Overall, Identity Guard’s straightforward identity monitoring services make it a strong option for seniors who want affordable identity monitoring and protection without extensive digital security features. 

Identity Guard offers three-bureau credit and bank account monitoring on all but its most basic plan — however, you’ll need to opt for the Ultra plan if you want access to social media account monitoring, 401(k) and investment account protection, and White Glove Fraud Resolution support.

Best plan & average cost: Identity Guard Ultra at $25/month (for individuals).

While it’s more expensive than other plan options, Identity Guard’s Ultra plan is the only one to include critical features that seniors need — including three-bureau credit monitoring, home title monitoring, 401(k) and investment account monitoring, and White Glove support. However, it's important to recognize that Identity Guard alternatives such as Aura include these features with all plans.

Our verdict: Identity Guard offers strong identity protection with reliable fraud monitoring from a trusted brand — but only if you opt for the Total or Ultra plans. Still, if you’re okay paying the monthly fee, Identity Guard’s extensive monitoring features make it a great option for seniors.   

💡 Related: Identity Guard vs. LifeLock: What To Know Before You Choose →

4. IdentityForce by TransUnion

Why we picked it: If you’re looking for identity theft protection plans from a well-known name in the credit industry, IdentityForce by TransUnion is worth a look.

IdentityForce offers good monitoring features for seniors, with investment account alerts, bank and credit card activity alerts, and Social Security number (SSN) tracking. However, its pricing is on the expensive side, and only the higher-tier plans offer three-bureau credit monitoring.

Best plan & average cost: IdentityForce UltraSecure+Credit plan at $34.90/month (for individuals).

Even with its basic plan, IdentityForce is one of the most expensive options on the market. But to get closer to the same level of protection you might receive from Aura or LifeLock, you need to pay even more for the UltraSecure+Credit plan. Still, if you are concerned about your personal finances and you value daily TransUnion credit scores and reports, IdentityForce is a good option.

Our verdict: IdentityForce is ideal for financial fraud monitoring; but for the monthly cost of its plans, you may want to check out other providers that offer a complete identity protection service that includes credit monitoring. 

💡 Related: Aura vs. IdentityForce: How Are They Different? →

5. ID Watchdog by Equifax

Why we picked it: ID Watchdog is another provider that is backed by one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax). For seniors, one of the most attractive ID Watchdog features is a dedicated $1 million insurance policy that covers losses from retirement and HSA accounts. This is in addition to its regular $1 million identity theft insurance policy. 

Unfortunately, ID Watchdog is another provider that limits access to critical tools on its entry-level plans. To access features such as a VPN, password manager, phishing alerts, and multi-bureau credit lock, you need to pay for the Premium plan. 

One point to consider is that ID Watchdog’s connection to Equifax is a bit of a double-edged sword. While you get access to reliable credit monitoring and insurance coverage, you’re also putting your trust in a company that was once fined more than $575 million for failing to protect customer data [*].

Best plan & average cost: ID Watchdog Premium at $21.95/month (for individuals). 

For seniors interested in ID Watchdog, the only real viable option is the Premium plan. While you’ll pay more than you would for more robust plans from Aura and LifeLock, you’ll get access to ID Watchdog’s retirement and health savings plan insurance, along with its multi-bureau credit lock. 

Our verdict: ID Watchdog stands out for retirement account protection — but the price, limited digital security tools, and Equifax’s past data breaches may make some seniors cautious.

💡Related: Is ID Watchdog Worth It? What To Know Before You Buy →

6. IDShield

Why we picked it: IDShield is another established name in identity theft protection and was a Gold Winner in the 2023 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards [*]. 

IDShield’s parent company, LegalShield, offers pre-paid legal services online, and the connection gives IDShield a few unique features that could be of interest to seniors — including licensed private investigators to help, should you become the victim of identity theft. 

While IDShield’s speciality is identity restoration, it still offers plenty of features to help protect your identity. Plans come with either one or three-bureau credit monitoring, Dark Web monitoring, medical data reports, and sex offender search and monitoring. 

The major downside of IDShield is that rather than offering an all-in-one app, IDShield uses Trend Micro for device protection, which requires multiple different apps and logins to get total protection. This could pose a serious issue, especially for seniors who may not be as tech savvy.

Best plan and average cost: IDShield with three-bureau credit monitoring at $19.95/month (for individuals).

IDShield is another option that provides all-in-one protection — but its high price point and lack of a single unified app may make it overly complicated for seniors. Still, if you like the idea of having access to a PI to help restore your identity after a fraud event, it may be a good choice for you. 

Our verdict: We think that seniors will benefit from IDShield’s hands-on support and unlimited customer support, including help with freezing credit files. However, there are options that are more affordable and easier to use with the same or higher levels of protection.  

7. PrivacyGuard

Why we picked it: PrivacyGuard offers simple identity and credit protection plans at affordable prices. It’s a good choice for seniors who want essential credit and ID monitoring without having to contend with overwhelming options. 

Though PrivacyGuard lacks features like investment account tracking and home title monitoring, it does provide three monthly bureau credit monitoring services and reports, plus secure browsing tools. 

One downside of PrivacyGuard is that its plans are limited to individuals; so if you need to cover more than one person, you may want to shop around.

Best plan & average cost: PrivacyGuard Total Protection at $24.99/month (for individuals).

PrivacyGuard’s top-tier plan is expensive, but it’s the only one that combines essential credit and identity protection features, making it the best choice for seniors. 

Our verdict: PrivacyGuard is a simple, no-frills option for basic identity protection and three-bureau credit monitoring. However, it doesn’t offer a family plan if you’re looking to cover yourself and older family members.

How To Shield Seniors From the Risk of Identity Theft

Identity theft protection providers can alert you to scams and fraud, but no service can completely prevent all forms of identity theft. It’s essential to learn how to avoid common elder scams (and teach your older loved ones how to stay safe). 

Here are some practical tips to help you protect yourself and your older family members:

• Ignore unknown callers and messages. Scammers target vulnerable people by calling or emailing them, pretending to be trusted organizations or agencies (such as the IRS or FBI). Encourage your loved ones to avoid answering calls, texts, and emails from unknown numbers and email addresses. Additionally, leave notes near phones and digital devices with reminders to slow down and ask questions if someone you don’t know contacts you.
• Secure online accounts. Avoid using simple passwords (birthdates, pet or family member names, etc.) and repeating credentials. Instead, use unique and complex passwords for each account and store them in a secure password manager. For sensitive accounts, such as your online bank, set up two-factor authentication (2FA). 
• Freeze your credit with all three bureaus. Seniors most likely don’t need to regularly apply for new credit. You can prevent scammers from attempting to use your stolen information to apply for new credit in your name by requesting a credit freeze with all three bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). 
• Check bank accounts, credit reports, and mail regularly. You can spot early signs of fraud by routinely reviewing your credit card, checking, and savings account statements. Every American can also request free credit reports from all three bureaus each week by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com. Check your credit reports for new accounts, unusual applications, and mysterious loans in your name.
• Set up a family passphrase. Con artists are only getting better at fooling their victims — especially with the rise of AI voice scams. A simple way to prevent this is to use a password or phrase that only family members would know to verify suspicious emails, texts, or calls.
• Keep lines of communication open. Make sure that your elderly loved ones feel comfortable discussing suspicious interactions — even if they think they’ve been duped. Check in regularly, and create a step-by-step response plan that includes contact information and resources. 

💡 Related: 12 Alarming Senior Citizen Scams (and How To Avoid Them) →

Is Identity Theft Protection Worth It for Seniors?

Yes. Even though there are ways seniors and their families can protect against identity theft, staying up to date with the latest cybersecurity threats can be overwhelming. 

For a relatively low monthly price, identity theft protection services provide an extra layer of security — giving you 24/7 protection by monitoring your accounts, credit files, and personal data. If you’re at risk, your provider will alert you and offer expert support to limit the damage. 

Aura is the best identity theft protection option for seniors and families, as its digital security suite safeguards your entire family across all devices. You’ll have peace of mind with up to $5 million in ID theft insurance coverage and dedicated support from Aura’s U.S.-based White Glove Fraud Resolution team.