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LifeLock Cost vs. The Price of Identity Theft

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LifeLock is a prominent identity theft protection company offering various plans to safeguard personal and financial information. With the rise in data breaches and identity theft, services like LifeLock are increasingly crucial. They provide credit monitoring, reimbursement for stolen funds, and restoration services. LifeLock has three plans: Standard, Advantage, and Ultimate Plus, each offering different features and levels of protection at varying costs, ranging from $9.99 to $34.99 monthly or $111.99 to $339.99 annually. Considering the average victim of identity theft spends over 100 hours and $1,343 in resolving issues, LifeLock’s cost is relatively lower. It offers significant financial and emotional relief, peace of mind, and support during identity theft incidents. The choice to use LifeLock should consider individual risk, alternative services, and the potential costs of not having protection. Given the growing threat of identity theft, LifeLock’s cost is generally justified by the protection and assurance it offers.

What Is LifeLock?

LifeLock is a subscription-based identity theft protection service that offers various plans to safeguard your personal information and finances. These plans include dark web monitoring, identity and social security number alerts, and reimbursement for stolen funds. LifeLock’s goal is to detect and mitigate identity theft risks, providing peace of mind for its subscribers.

What Are the Different LifeLock Plans?

When protecting yourself from identity theft, LifeLock offers a range of plans to fit your needs and budget. Let’s explore the different LifeLock plans available and what each offers regarding protection and security. From the basic LifeLock Standard plan to the more comprehensive LifeLock Ultimate Plus, we’ll break down the features and benefits of each plan so you can determine which one is right for you.

LifeLock Standard

Enroll: Visit the official LifeLock website and select the LifeLock Standard plan.

Provide Information: Enter personal details and payment information for the LifeLock Standard subscription.

Review & Confirm: Carefully review the LifeLock Standard plan’s features, terms, and conditions before confirming your enrollment.

Download App: Download the LifeLock app to access identity theft protection services on the go with your LifeLock Standard subscription.

LifeLock Advantage

Identity Threat Detection: LifeLock Advantage provides real-time alerts for potential identity theft threats.

Bank & Credit Card Activity Alerts: Receive notifications for large transactions or new accounts opened in your name.

Privacy Monitoring: The LifeLock Advantage plan includes monitoring for unauthorized use of your personal information.

One-Bureau Credit Monitoring: Get credit monitoring services for one credit bureau, offering a comprehensive view of your credit profile.

Stolen Wallet Protection: In case of a lost or stolen wallet, LifeLock’s Advantage plan assists in canceling or replacing cards and documents.

LifeLock Ultimate Plus

  • Sign up for LifeLock Ultimate Plus online or by phone.
  • Provide necessary personal information for identity verification.
  • Choose additional features like credit, bank account, and credit card activity alerts.
  • Receive confirmation and start enjoying the benefits of LifeLock Ultimate Plus.

When considering LifeLock Ultimate Plus, consider the value of comprehensive identity protection compared to the potential costs of identity theft.

What Are the Benefits of LifeLock?

In today’s digital age, the threat of identity theft is a constant concern. With the rise of technology, it has become easier for criminals to steal personal information and wreak havoc on our lives. That’s where LifeLock comes in – a comprehensive identity theft protection service. In this section, we will discuss the various benefits of LifeLock, including identity theft protection, credit monitoring, stolen funds reimbursement, and restoration services. By understanding the advantages of LifeLock, you can decide whether it is worth the cost compared to the potential price of identity theft.

Identity Theft Protection

  • Sign up for a trustworthy identity theft protection service such as LifeLock.
  • Frequently check your credit reports for any unusual activity.
  • Safeguard your personal information and create strong, unique passwords for your online accounts.
  • Be wary of phishing scams and only disclose personal information to reliable sources.
  • Think about implementing credit freezes to limit access to your credit reports.

Credit Monitoring

  • Sign up for a credit monitoring service that offers 24/7 monitoring of your credit files at all three major credit bureaus.
  • Review your credit reports regularly to spot any unauthorized activity or errors.
  • Set up fraud alerts on your credit files to be notified of any suspicious activity.
  • Consider freezing your credit to prevent unauthorized access to your credit reports.

When considering credit monitoring, prioritize services that offer comprehensive monitoring and timely alerts tailored to your specific needs and budget.

Stolen Funds Reimbursement

Did you know that LifeLock offers comprehensive protection against stolen funds and has a quick reimbursement process?

File a police report: If you discover stolen funds, file a report with local law enforcement.

Contact LifeLock: Reach out to LifeLock to report the incident and begin the process of reimbursement for your stolen funds.

Provide necessary documentation: Submit all required documents, such as bank statements or transaction records, to support your claim to reimburse stolen funds.

Review the claim: LifeLock will carefully review your claim and may request additional information before proceeding with the reimbursement process.

Receive reimbursement: If your claim is approved, you will receive swift reimbursement for the stolen funds outlined in your LifeLock plan.

Restoration Services

Immediate Action: Contact LifeLock to report the identity theft incident and initiate the restoration process.

Documentation Submission: Provide any requested documentation and information to support the restoration of your identity.

Resolution Assistance: LifeLock’s Restoration Services will work on your behalf to resolve issues related to identity theft, such as credit report errors or fraudulent accounts.

Follow-up: Stay in communication with LifeLock to ensure that the restoration process is progressing effectively.

What Is the Cost of LifeLock?

When protecting your identity, the cost of LifeLock may seem daunting. However, the price of identity theft can be much higher in the long run. 

Monthly Cost

  • Compare the monthly costs of LifeLock’s plans, including Standard, Advantage, and Ultimate Plus.
  • Consider the services offered in each plan and how they meet your specific needs.
  • Evaluate the additional features provided in higher-tier plans and their cost.

Did you know that the monthly cost of LifeLock varies depending on the level of protection and services included in the chosen plan?

Annual Cost

The annual cost of LifeLock varies based on the plan selected. The first year of LifeLock Standard costs $99.48, with an annual cost of $149.88 after that. LifeLock Advantage’s annual cost is $191.88, while LifeLock Ultimate Plus has an annual cost of $299.88. These costs provide comprehensive protection against identity theft and credit fraud, making LifeLock a valuable investment for safeguarding personal information.

What Is the Price of Identity Theft?

Identity theft can have devastating consequences, both financially and emotionally.

Financial Losses

  • Assess the direct monetary losses incurred due to unauthorized transactions, such as fraudulent credit card charges or drained bank accounts.
  • Evaluate any costs related to legal fees, including hiring lawyers to resolve identity theft issues.
  • Consider indirect financial impacts, like missed workdays, to resolve identity theft problems.

It’s crucial to remain informed about the potential financial losses resulting from identity theft, as this awareness can help you choose an appropriate protection plan.

Emotional Toll

Recognize emotional impact: Identity theft can have a profound emotional toll, causing stress, anxiety, and a sense of violation.

Seek support: It is important to reach out to loved ones, support groups, or mental health professionals to address and cope with the emotional effects of identity theft.

Practice self-care: Engage in activities that promote emotional well-being, such as exercise, meditation, or spending time with positive influences.

Stay informed: Educate yourself about identity theft and its potential emotional repercussions to manage better and cope.

Time and Effort to Restore Identity

Contact Credit Bureaus: Notify all three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – to place a fraud alert on your credit report.

File a Police Report: Report the identity theft to your local police department and obtain a copy of the report.

Contact Financial Institutions: Inform your banks, credit card companies, and other financial institutions about identity theft.

Keep Detailed Records: Document all conversations, including dates, names, and details discussed, to help streamline restoring your identity.

Consider using a reputable identity theft protection service like LifeLock to mitigate the risk of identity theft and reduce the time and effort needed to restore your identity.

Is LifeLock Worth the Cost?

With the increasing prevalence of identity theft, many individuals are turning to identity theft protection services like LifeLock. However, is the cost of LifeLock worth the peace of mind it provides? 

Consider Your Risk Level

When considering your risk level for identity theft, follow these steps:

  1. Assess your online presence and activity.
  2. Review your financial accounts and transactions regularly.
  3. Monitor your credit reports for any suspicious activity.
  4. Be cautious when sharing personal information on social media.
  5. Consider using identity theft protection services like LifeLock.

Compare with Other Identity Theft Protection Services

When evaluating LifeLock against other identity theft protection services, it is important to consider factors such as:

  • coverage breadth
  • price
  • customer support
  • ease of use

Reviewing and assessing ratings and reviews from reputable sources is also recommended to make an informed decision. Additionally, it is beneficial to look for features such as:

  • credit monitoring
  • dark web surveillance
  • reimbursement limits

Lastly, ensuring that the chosen service aligns with your specific protection needs and financial limitations is crucial.

Consider the Cost of Not Having Protection

Assess Your Risk: Evaluate the likelihood of identity theft based on your lifestyle, online activity, and financial habits.

Compare Protection Services: Analyze various identity theft protection services’ features, coverage, and reputation.

Consider the Cost of Not Having Protection: Ponder the potential financial losses, emotional stress, and time investment required to restore your identity if it’s compromised.

In 2017, a significant data breach exposed the personal information of millions, highlighting the critical need for robust identity protection.

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