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Identity theft and fraud protection for your finances, personal info, and devices.
How Do You Decide If LifeLock Is Right for You?
With over 5.4 million victims of identity theft and fraud reported in 2023 alone [*], more and more Americans are turning to identity theft protection services like LifeLock to keep themselves safe.
For the past two decades, LifeLock has helped millions of people safeguard their sensitive and financial information against identity thieves and hackers.
But the company’s confusing and expensive plans, as well as recent security issues — including close to one million customers having their passwords compromised — prompts many people to wonder: Is LifeLock really worth the price?
In this LifeLock review and guide, we’ll look at the service’s best features, pros and cons, and any downsides you should be aware of before becoming a customer.
Is LifeLock Worth It? Features, Pros & Cons, and Security
LifeLock is an identity theft protection service that monitors your personal information, credit, and financial accounts for signs of fraud. If you become a victim, LifeLock also offers support and an insurance policy with coverage ranging from $1,050,000 to $3,000,000 for eligible losses and expenses.
LifeLock also monitors for other typical warning signs of identity theft — such as payday loans or United States Postal Service (USPS) address change requests made in your name — and checks to see if your personal information appears in data breach notifications.
In 2017, LifeLock was acquired by Symantec — the makers of Norton 360 — giving customers the option to bundle LifeLock with a full digital security suite including antivirus software, a virtual private network (VPN), online privacy monitor, and more.
Features aside, LifeLock has also faced multiple security, public relations, and legal issues in recent years that could make you question its legitimacy.
Here are some of the main benefits and drawbacks of LifeLock to keep in mind:
LifeLock provides many of the same features as other all-in-one identity theft protection services like Identity Guard and Aura, including SSN and Dark Web monitoring, one or three-bureau credit monitoring, and fraud alerts. Paired with Norton 360, it offers a comprehensive security package — though it comes at a price.
Let’s take a look at the main features of LifeLock identity theft protection and crucial details you should know about them.
LifeLock identity alert system
The core of every identity theft protection service is its ability to monitor and alert you if your private information is leaked or used without your knowledge.
LifeLock monitors data points across the internet and Dark Web, and sends alerts when it discovers your personal information. LifeLock also scans public records for your name and date of birth to see if criminals have used your identity during a crime.
Key facts you need to know: Speed is the most important factor when it comes to fraud alerts. While LifeLock’s identity monitoring is similar to that of other identity theft protection options, some customers on Trustpilot report that LifeLock often doesn’t alert them until weeks or even months after the fraud has occurred [*].
One- or three-bureau credit monitoring
If scammers get hold of your SSN, they could take out loans or rack up credit card debt in your name. Credit monitoring services notify you of such activity on your reports so that you can take swift action to avoid derogatory marks.
You can request free credit reports by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com — so credit monitoring tools need to be reliable and fast to be worth paying for.
Unfortunately, LifeLock only offers monitoring with one credit bureau (Equifax) on its lower-tier plans. For credit monitoring with all three major credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — you’ll need to upgrade to LifeLock’s Ultimate Plus plan.
Key facts you need to know: Unless you upgrade to LifeLock’s most expensive plan, you’ll be stuck with one-bureau monitoring — which can leave you vulnerable to fraud that shows up on your Experian and TransUnion credit reports. On the Advantage plan and higher, you’ll also get access to your monthly credit score from Equifax.
Fraud protection
With your SSN, not only can scammers open new lines of credit in your name — they may also be able to hack into and drain your bank or retirement accounts.
LifeLock alerts you to signs of fraud on your credit reports, bank accounts, and with “buy now, pay later” services. Customers on the Ultimate Plus plan also receive investment account alerts.
If you’re on the Advantage plan or higher, you’ll also get access to “Identity Lock.” This feature allows you to easily lock and unlock your TransUnion credit file without having to contact the bureau. Locking your credit file prevents unauthorized access to your reports, stopping scammers in their tracks.
Key facts you need to know: LifeLock provides a range of fraud protection measures that should, in theory, keep you safe from identity thieves. But, as mentioned earlier, LifeLock’s suspicious activity alerts aren’t always prompt and could put you in danger if fraud goes undetected.
💡 Related: The 7 Best Credit Protection Services of 2024 (Why You Need One) →
Device and data security from Norton
Modern criminals can target you with scams via fake websites, phishing links, or even by intercepting a public Wi-Fi network to which you’re connected.
If you bundle LifeLock with Norton 360’s cybersecurity tools, you’ll get antivirus software and a secure VPN that encrypts your data while browsing — and prevents you from accidentally downloading malware or other viruses.
Key facts you need to know: Bundling LifeLock with Norton 360 can provide you with all-in-one identity and digital security — but at a cost. Other providers like Identity Guard and Aura have these features already built into their identity protection plans.
Family plans and protection
Identity theft can happen to anyone — and most identity protection providers have family plan options to help protect children and elderly family members.
LifeLock offers two options for protecting families: a family plan that covers two adults, or a family plan that covers two adults and up to five children. These plans include child identity theft protection, parental controls software, lost wallet protection, and more.
Unfortunately, if you want to add more than two adults, they’ll need to sign up for their own LifeLock plans.
Key takeaway: LifeLock family plans can get expensive quickly — especially if you want to protect elderly family members, such as parents or grandparents. In comparison, Identity Guard’s family plans cover up to five adults and unlimited children.
$1 million+ identity theft insurance
Falling victim to identity theft can have repercussions that are both mentally and financially draining. With no identity theft insurance, you could be left without resources to restore your credit and funds.
The insurance coverage LifeLock provides depends on the specific plan you choose. For example:
- LifeLock Standard: $1 million for lawyers and experts, $25,000 each for stolen funds and personal expense compensation (total of $1.05 million)
- LifeLock Advantage: $1 million for lawyers and experts, $100,000 each for stolen funds and personal expense compensation (total of $1.2 million)
- LifeLock Ultimate Plus: $1 million for lawyers and experts, $1 million each for stolen funds and personal expense compensation per adult (total of $3 million)
Key facts you need to know: LifeLock’s insurance coverage is comparable to other identity theft providers, though stolen funds reimbursement and personal expense compensation on the Standard plan may be too low, depending on the size and value of your assets.
Identity restoration and customer support
Along with stolen funds and reimbursement insurance coverage, the best identity theft protection services also provide identity restoration help so that you don’t have to pick up the pieces alone.
For example, if you fall victim to identity theft, Identity Guard’s U.S.-based team of fraud restoration specialists will be there to walk you through the steps of contacting your financial institutions and retaining legal counsel if necessary. Additionally, if your wallet is stolen or goes missing, they can help you through the process of canceling your credit cards and replacing your driver’s license and other identification.
When it comes to customer support, LifeLock offers 24/7 “priority” support for customers on its Ultimate Plus plan.
Key facts you need to know: Though LifeLock claims to offer 24/7 customer support, customers on Trustpilot have made complaints about dropped calls, wait times, and sub-par support [*].
LifeLock Plans and Pricing Breakdown: Expensive and Confusing
One of the major complaints about LifeLock is its expensive and confusing plan options.
As a new customer, you have the option of three “tiers” of protection: Standard, Advantage, and Ultimate Plus. Each tier includes different features and levels of protection — for example, the Standard and Advantage plans only include one-bureau credit monitoring.
Next, you can choose to bundle Norton 360 to get device and data security (for an additional cost), protect multiple adults and kids (for an additional cost), and pay for an annual or monthly plan (at a higher rate).
However, most people signing up for identity theft protection don’t know exactly what kind of coverage and protection they need. This can make LifeLock’s plan structure overly complicated, leading many people to accidentally overpay for unnecessary services.
Here’s a breakdown of LifeLock’s plans and how they protect you:
Keep in mind that the pricing above is only for LifeLock’s individual plans. The family plans follow the same tiered structure, but are significantly more expensive — ranging from $12.49 to $40.99/month — and will increase even further after the first year.
💡 Related: How Much Does Identity Theft Protection Cost (and Do You Need It)? →
How much does LifeLock really cost?
LifeLock’s pricing seems attractive, but it’s important to remember that the pricing advertised on its website is first year promotional pricing.
After the first year, pricing increases substantially — anywhere from 30 to 50% — making LifeLock more expensive than many other comparable services.
For example, Identity Guard’s Ultra plan costs slightly less than LifeLock Ultimate Plus in the first year. In the second year and beyond, however, Identity Guard subscriptions continue at the same rate with no increases, making it the more affordable choice in the long run.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll pay for Norton LifeLock and Identity Guard if you subscribe for two years or more:
What Are the Downsides of LifeLock?
Even though LifeLock has positioned itself as a leader in identity theft protection, it has some potential downsides that might make you question whether it’s worth the price:
- Expensive plans with sky-high renewal rates. LifeLock is one of the most expensive identity theft protection services. When your subscription renews after the first year, the total cost will increase significantly — likely by 28% or more.
- Confusing pricing structure. LifeLock offers tiers of plans for individuals as well as different tiers for families. Its plans come with many flexible choices that can be overwhelming for customers who may not know exactly what to look for in an identity theft protection plan.
- Limited coverage on lower-tier plans. LifeLock’s cheapest plan could leave you vulnerable with only one-bureau credit monitoring and limited identity monitoring. If you do become the victim of fraud, you’ll only be covered for up to $25,000 in stolen funds.
- Poor customer support despite advertising 24/7 availability. Many LifeLock customers complain of long wait times and frustrating resolutions when trying to get support.
- $100 million FTC fine for not protecting users data. In 2015, LifeLock was fined $100 million by the Federal Trade Commission for failing to secure user data [*].
- Recent security breach that compromised thousands of accounts. LifeLock still faces security issues even today. Last year, close to one million LifeLock customers had their accounts compromised — allowing hackers access to sensitive personal information including customer password managers [*].
The bottom line: LifeLock makes bold claims about how it can protect you against identity theft, hacking, and fraud. But there are nuances and limitations you should understand before becoming a paying customer.
LifeLock vs. Identity Guard: Feature and Pricing Comparison
If you don’t want to deal with the downsides of being a LifeLock customer, there are plenty of LifeLock alternatives that offer similar or even better protection.
Identity Guard has been a leading identity protection provider for more than two decades and has helped keep over 38 million customers safe from identity thieves.
Identity Guard offers more than just identity monitoring, and includes a range of features from identity and credit monitoring, financial account monitoring, and online security tools that protect you and your family against the latest — and most dangerous — threats.
While LifeLock and Identity Guard appear to offer the same features on the surface, there are some key differences:
Overall, Identity Guard provides more comprehensive identity protection and coverage at a more affordable price than LifeLock services (even with Norton 360 bundle).
Here are a few reasons why you should choose Identity Guard over LifeLock:
- Comprehensive protection. Identity Guard offers a collection of identity protection services under a single pricing umbrella. You don’t have to worry about bundling additional services to get the coverage you need.
- Flexible family plans. Identity Guard’s family plans cover up to five adults and unlimited children — ideal for people with large families, adult children, or elderly loved ones.
- Data broker removal services. Identity Guard scans the internet for your contact information on data broker websites. If your information is found, Identity Guard will request removal on your behalf to help reduce the amount of spam calls and messages you receive.
- U.S.-based support. Identity Guard’s Customer Care team is fast and reliable. And if you become a victim of identity theft, U.S.-based case managers will be there to help you through the process of restoring your credit and identity.
- No price renewal increases. There are no hidden costs or price increases upon renewal, so the price you pay your first year for Identity Guard is the price you’ll continue to pay.
The Bottom Line: LifeLock Isn’t Always Worth the Price
LifeLock is one of the best-known companies for providing ID theft protection, but it isn’t right for everyone. With its recent security issues and complex pricing structure, there are better alternatives offering superior protection at a lower price point.
For more affordable and comprehensive security and identity protection, consider Identity Guard.
All Identity Guard plans come with Dark Web and high risk transaction monitoring, Safe Browsing tools, $1 million identity theft insurance for each adult plan member, and more. Plus, you’ll pay the same price each year — no skyrocketing renewal rates.
