Is IDShield Worth It? What To Know Before Buying

Is IDShield Legitimate?

With the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reporting fraud losses of over $10 billion in 2023 alone [*], more and more Americans are in the market for an identity theft protection service like IDShield. 

IDShield is one of several modern, all-in-one providers that combines identity and financial protection, digital security tools, identity theft insurance and restoration services, and more.

With an estimated 1.7 million members [*], IDShield is one of the more popular options for protecting your identity and finances — but is it worth it in 2024?

When it comes to protecting your identity, you need to be sure you’re trusting your personal information and finances with the right company. 

In this guide, we’ll explore IDShield’s key features, pros and cons, pricing plans, and customer reviews, and see how it stacks up to other modern options like Aura. By the end, you’ll have all the information you need to decide whether IDShield is worth it for you. 

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IDShield Review: What It Is and How It Protects You

IDShield is an identity theft protection subscription service owned by the legal services company LegalShield that provides monitoring for personally identifiable information (PII), credit cards, medical data, insurance, and more.

IDShield provides tiered plans for individuals and families, primarily offering credit bureau monitoring and fraud recovery services. Its plans are intended to protect your data and intervene if criminals compromise your Social Security Number (SSN), bank account information, or identity.

However, what sets IDShield apart is that customers get access to a team of licensed private investigators to help recover compromised or stolen identities. 

IDShield identity theft protection plans also come with the following:

• Credit score and report monitoring. IDShield tracks your credit scores and credit reports at one or all three major credit bureaus (depending on your plan). You’ll get a monthly credit score update and alerts about changes to your credit reports — for example, if someone tries to open a new account or take out a payday loan in your name. However, IDShield doesn’t publish any statistics about the speed or reliability of its credit reports. 
• Comprehensive identity monitoring. IDShield tracks your personal information for suspicious activity across multiple platforms. This includes social media, the Dark Web, financial accounts, and court records.
• Digital security via Trend Micro. Members also get free malware protection, a virtual private network (VPN), and a password manager for up to three devices through Trend Micro. These services normally cost $8/month when purchased individually.
• Consultations with identity theft specialists. IDShield provides clients with access to a team of identity theft experts. These experts can assist with questions and concerns regarding identity protection and credit monitoring.
• Access to private investigators. If you fall prey to identity theft, IDShield has a team of licensed private investigators on call 24/7 to help members recover from the impact of fraud.
• Up to $3 million in identity theft insurance. If you are a victim of identity theft, IDShield offers identity theft insurance coverage of up to $3 million to help recover eligible financial losses and handle certain legal fees.  

IDShield offers different levels of credit monitoring in its ID theft protection plans. The basic plan only monitors credit reports through one bureau, Transunion. But you’ll need to pay a higher monthly subscription fee to get three-bureau credit monitoring.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s included in each of IDshield’s plans as of February 2024:

Who Can Benefit the Most From Using IDShield?

Most people signing up for identity theft protection don't know exactly what kind of coverage and protection they need, making IDShield's plan structure somewhat complicated — especially when it comes to credit monitoring.

Here’s what you need to know: Credit monitoring from only one credit bureau may give you a false sense of security and leave you vulnerable to identity theft (as not all lenders report to all three of the bureaus). Only three-bureau credit monitoring can comprehensively protect you from fraud.

So, who is IDShield right for?

IDShield could be ideal for you in the following scenarios:

• If you want access to private investigators to help recover your identity. IDShield offers unlimited consultations through its call center along with access to private investigators in the event that your identity is stolen. However, it’s always better to try to prevent identity theft rather than deal with the fallout. Plus, many other providers offer similar levels of support (such as Aura’s dedicated team of White Glove Fraud Resolution Specialists). 
• If you’re willing to pay extra to monitor your credit at all three bureaus. The higher tier of IDShield’s plan offers comprehensive credit monitoring from all three credit bureaus. But at $19.95/month, this outlay may not make sense when you consider more affordable options on the market. 
• If you want to try IDShield’s services for free. With plans as low as $14.95/month, IDShield’s basic services won’t break the bank. If you want to see how it works yourself, you can try IDShield for free for 30 days.

💡 Related: The 11 Best Credit Monitoring Services of 2024 → 

IDShield Features and Pros & Cons

IDShield makes strong claims about how it can protect you against threats from identity thieves and hackers so that you don’t become a victim of fraud. However, there are limitations you should know about before signing up. 

Consider the pros and cons below:

Now, let’s dig into IDShield’s main features to see how they protect you and where they fall short.

Identity monitoring

A core feature of identity theft protection is to monitor your PII in various online locations for signs of identity theft. For example, you could get an alert if scammers use your personal information on applications to impersonate your identity. 

How IDShield monitors your identity:

• Dark Web monitoring. IDShield monitors the Dark Web for traces of your personal data, such as your driver’s license, Employer ID, SSN, credit card details, and phone numbers.
• Court and public records scanning. IDShield checks your PII against millions of records at the Administration of the Courts, the Department of Corrections, county courts, and other legal agencies. The app sends alerts with details in the event of a match and guides you with next steps.
• Social media monitoring. IDShield monitors your social media feeds for reputation and privacy risks. You can receive alerts for posts, image captions, and comments that may indicate your identity is compromised.
• Medical data reports. While IDShield doesn’t specify what type of medical data it monitors, the company offers a comprehensive approach to identity protection that includes checking your medical records for signs of suspicious activity.

Is IDShield worth it for identity monitoring? Speed and reliability are crucial when you need to stop or react to identity theft. Some customers on the third-party review site Trustpilot reported issues with IDShield's setup process and website, which prevented them from receiving identity theft alerts [*].

Credit monitoring and alerts

If someone takes out loans or opens accounts in your name, this fraudulent activity will impact your credit score. 

Credit bureau monitoring services protect your credit score by alerting you to changes with the three reporting bureaus. Keeping tabs on your credit reports is crucial in order to spot early warning signs of identity theft and limit the impact of fraud.

How IDShield protects you:

• 24/7 credit monitoring. IDShield offers continuous credit monitoring and real-time records of your credit score, which you can access through the customer portal.
• One- or three-bureau monitoring. IDShield divides its pricing tiers by the number of credit bureaus in which it monitors your credit file. The more expensive three-bureau plan includes credit reports from Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. 
• Real-time alerts. IDShield's credit monitoring looks for changes in 12 key elements of identity theft, including credit reports, credit scores, and Dark Web activities.

Is IDShield worth it for credit monitoring? You can check your credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com for free — so credit monitoring tools must be reliable and fast to be worth paying for. With IDShield’s plan structure, you pay more for three-bureau monitoring than you would with competitors.

💡 Related: Do You Need Credit Monitoring or Identity Theft Protection? →

Identity theft insurance and support

Recovering from identity theft is a time-consuming and costly endeavor — especially if you require legal assistance. Identity theft insurance can support you by covering eligible losses and legal fees.

How IDShield protects you:

• $3 Million coverage. As a member of IDShield, you can get up to $3 million in coverage for eligible losses related to identity fraud, including stolen funds and documents.
• Stolen wallet. Losing your driver's license, cash, and credit cards is a stressful experience. IDShield will help you get everything back and protect your compromised accounts.

Is IDShield identity theft insurance and support worth it? IDShield provides some of the best insurance coverage in the industry. The licensed private investigator is also a unique service, which could be helpful for people who need to track a lot of details after suffering huge losses.

Device and data security

Proper identity protection starts with securing your device and personal information from hacking threats and data breaches. IDShield provides its customers with sophisticated security tools that protect up to 15 devices on all plans.

How IDShield protects you:

• Antivirus and VPN. Hackers use trojans, keyloggers, and spyware to corrupt devices, steal sensitive data, and exploit accounts. IDShield’s tools include an antivirus and VPN to protect against hacking, phishing, and malware threats.
• Multi-factor authentication: Adding a second authentication factor in the login process — like a fingerprint scan or push notification — makes it easy to secure your accounts.
• Public records monitoring. All plans let you stay abreast of any suspicious activity on public records. For example, you can spot potential fraud related to your property deeds or birth certificate. 

Is IDShield worth it for device and data security? While 15 devices may be enough coverage for a couple or small family, larger families may benefit from the comprehensive coverage of Aura — which offers security for 50 devices on its Family Plan. 

Identity restoration and customer support

Dealing with identity theft after the fact can be a confusing and stressful experience. With expert support, you can get the guidance you need to recoup losses and restore your accounts and identity without trying to do it all yourself.

How IDShield protects you:

• Access to licensed private investigators. IDShield provides every member with access to licensed private investigators who specialize in identity theft and fraud cases. 
• 24/7 Emergency Assistance. IDShield provides round-the-clock monitoring and timely fraud alerts to stop identity theft and help clients recover.

Is IDShield worth it for identity restoration? The private investigators are a standout feature of IDShield. However, reports of poor customer service are unignorable and a huge concern when you consider the importance of reliable support if you fall victim to fraud [*]. 

Family protection

Getting identity protection for family members, especially your children, is necessary in today’s world. The last thing you want is for a loved one to be denied a job, car, or loan later in life because of identity theft.

How IDShield protects you:

• Social media account monitoring. IDShield monitors social media for posts, comments, and pictures. It notifies you about anything that may harm your reputation or expose personal information.
• Child’s SSN monitoring. IDShield monitors your dependent children's Social Security numbers for breaches and will notify you about any risks.
• Sex offender monitoring. IDShield lets its customers search for registered sexual offenders within a five-mile radius of their home address. You can also set up alerts to notify you when a sex offender moves into the area.

Is IDShield worth it for family protection? This platform offers great features for the family. However, the lack of dedicated parental controls, Safe Gaming features, and spam call blocking could leave your kids at risk of cyberbullying as well as contact from scammers or online predators.

What Are the Downsides of Using IDShield?

While IDShield can help protect you against fraud, it’s not a perfect service. If you’re weighing your options, consider these five drawbacks of IDShield before making a decision:

• Customers have reported technical issues. Online reviews from IDShield customers mention problems with setting up and receiving alerts [*]. There are also many reports of glitches on the website and mobile app [*]. 
• Entry-level plans leave you at risk of credit fraud. IDShield’s basic individual and family plans only cover credit monitoring and reports through TransUnion, which could cause you to miss early warning signs of fraud that only show up on your other credit reports.
• There are cheaper options out there for family plans. IDShield has competitive pricing for its one-bureau individual plans. However, its family-focused option is relatively expensive. 
• A third party provides digital security. Because IDShield offers digital protection through a partner (Trend Micro), there’s always an added risk of data breaches and security flaws that may compromise your personal information. 
• No annual plan discounts. IDShield only offers monthly billing for its ID protection plans. This setup means that you can't save money by paying for your subscription upfront and in full. 

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

Why You Should Consider Aura as an IDShield Alternative

While IDShield has some unique features and takes an all-in-one approach to identity protection, plenty of alternatives offer similar or better features without the downsides of being an IDShield customer.

Aura is a relatively new player in the digital security market, but it has already been rated #1 by Money.com, TechRadar, USNews.com, and more.

Here’s a breakdown of how IDShield and Aura compare:

Going head-to-head, it’s clear that Aura is a better option than IDShield for a number of reasons, including:

• Faster fraud alerts. When someone commits fraud with your personal information, speed is your ally. According to a 2022 mystery shopper survey, Aura's credit fraud alerts were up to 250 times faster than competitors like IDShield³.
• Stronger online security features. Unlike IDShield, Aura has a data broker removal service — plus a privacy assistant, email aliases, and ad blockers. 
• Better support (that’s available when you need it). Victims of fraud have 24/7 access to Aura’s dedicated team of U.S.-based White Glove Fraud Resolution Specialists to help navigate challenges with banks, vendors, and government agencies. 
• More comprehensive family protection with more insurance coverage. Aura provides digital security tools to protect the whole family online, including parental controls, Safe Gaming tools with cyberbullying alerts, and child identity monitoring.
• Better value for money. With Aura, you get more features, protection, and recovery tools to secure your identity at a lower price than IDShield.

💡 Related: IDShield vs. LifeLock vs. Aura: What's Best In 2024? →

The Bottom Line: There Are Better Options Than IDShield

IDShield is a decent option for identity theft protection, but it isn’t right for everyone. The tiered plans mean you’ll have to pay more for comprehensive support. Even then, the technical issues and third-party digital protection could leave you vulnerable to a data breach.

For superior protection, peace of mind, and more value for your money, consider Aura for the entire family. 

Aura’s award-winning identity monitoring suite includes 24/7 Dark Web monitoring, three-bureau credit monitoring with the industry's fastest fraud alerts, AI-powered digital security tools, and more. If you fall prey to fraud, you and your family are covered for up to $5 million in identity theft insurance, and Aura’s U.S.-based White Glove Fraud Resolution Specialists are available to help you 24/7. 

Get award-winning protection against fraud and scams. Try Aura free for 14 days.