Identity Defense

Identity Defense: subscription identity protection for individuals and families

Identity Defense sells membership plans aimed at protecting personal information from identity theft and fraud. The service is organized around three pillars described on its site: online monitoring of personal data, alerts when someone attempts to use the member's identity, and recovery support when losses occur. Plans are split between individual coverage for one adult and family coverage for up to five adults plus unlimited minors.

How the monitoring and alert system works

According to the company, its AI-powered platform monitors billions of pieces of information to flag threats to members. The alert layer covers attempted use of the member's identity, changes to bank information and credit checks run in the member's name. When identity theft produces financial loss, the service includes reimbursement of stolen funds and identity theft insurance with coverage up to $1 million.

Three plan tiers with individual and family versions

The catalog lists three tiers, each priced separately for individuals and families, with monthly or annual billing. The site presented the following promotional rates at the time of this profile, alongside regular rates:

• Essential — described as comprehensive identity protection for individuals, including dark web monitoring, high-risk transaction monitoring and $1 million identity theft insurance. Promotional pricing: $6.99/month or $69.90/year for individuals; $12.99/month or $129.90/year for families. Regular rates: $8.99/month or $107.88/year (individual) and $14.99/month or $179.88/year (family).
• Plus — marked as recommended, it adds advanced identity and credit monitoring to the Essential features: 3-bureau credit monitoring, monthly credit score and address monitoring. Promotional pricing: $9.99/month or $99.90/year for individuals; $19.99/month or $199.90/year for families. Regular rates: $19.99/month or $239.88/year (individual) and $29.99/month or $359.88/year (family).
• Complete — the top tier, adding annual credit report and scores, bank account takeover coverage and social media monitoring on top of the Plus features. Promotional pricing: $19.99/month or $199.90/year for individuals; $29.99/month or $299.99/year for families. Regular rates: $29.99/month or $359.88/year (individual) and $39.99/month or $479.88/year (family).

Insurance backing and billing terms

The identity theft insurance included in the plans is underwritten by insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group, Inc. The site states that its description is a summary and that full terms, conditions and exclusions are set out in the actual policies, and that coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions. Cards are charged a monthly or annual fee depending on the chosen plan, and the company indicates that membership can be cancelled at any time by contacting it.

Member support and account handling

Identity Defense maintains a U.S.-based Member Services team to answer questions about accounts, products and solutions. The company notes that confidential matters such as billing, account updates or service cancellations are not handled by email for privacy reasons; members are directed to sign in to their account to change account information. Support is also offered by chat and by phone.

Context cited by the company

The site frames its service with figures attributed to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission: more than 4.7 million identity theft and fraud reports filed in the United States in 2020, and names, emails and Social Security numbers among the most breached data types that year. It also cites the 2020 Year End Data Breach QuickView Report.