As a cyber security expert with over a decade of experience in fighting online fraud and crime, I‘ve seen the devastating impact that identity theft can have on individuals and families. It‘s not just the financial losses, but the huge emotional toll and hundreds of hours spent trying to repair the damage to your credit and reputation.
Sadly, identity theft criminals increasingly target the most vulnerable among us – our children. Child identity theft has been called an "invisible epidemic." Javelin Strategy & Research found that child identity fraud affected over 1 million kids in 2020, costing families $918 million in losses. And according to the Identity Theft Resource Center, 1.3 million children‘s records are stolen by identity thieves every single year.
Why do scammers love stealing kids‘ identities? Because the crime can go undetected for years, until the child grows up and discovers their credit has been ruined since they were 5 years old. Fraudsters can open credit cards, take out loans, and even buy homes using a child‘s pristine Social Security number.
So as a parent or grandparent, enrolling your whole family in a comprehensive identity theft protection service is one of the smartest investments you can make. But with so many services out there, how do you choose the right one to trust with your family‘s sensitive information and security?
What to Look For in a Family Identity Theft Protection Plan
Over the years of testing and reviewing ID theft services, I‘ve identified the essential features and criteria that matter most for families:
- Comprehensive monitoring for every family member
The best family plans monitor a wide range of personal information, accounts, and suspicious activity not just for adults but for child dependents too. This should include:
- Social Security number monitoring (critical for kids)
- Dark web and online fraud detection
- Financial account and credit card monitoring
- Social media account monitoring
- Public records monitoring (criminal records, sex offender registries, etc.)
- Home title monitoring
- 401k and investment account monitoring
- Specific child identity theft protections
In addition to the core adult monitoring, top family plans add specific scans and alerts tailored to prevent and catch child ID theft:
- Child SSN monitoring for credit or loan applications
- Cyberbullying detection and alerts
- Social media account monitoring for reputation-damaging content
- Online gaming and virtual world monitoring
-
Enough coverage for your whole household
Some "family plans" only cover a second adult, or charge extra to add more than one child. The most convenient plans include protections for you, your spouse or domestic partner, and all kids under 18 in the household for one price. -
Ample, personalized insurance for losses
If you or your child does fall victim to identity theft, you want to be reimbursed for every dollar lost and spent dealing with the incident. The best family plans cover up to $1 million each for both adults and children. So for a family of 4, that‘s up to $4 million total – a substantial safety net. -
Easy family management tools
Juggling multiple web portals and apps to manage everyone‘s identity monitoring is a huge hassle. Top family-friendly services provide one unified dashboard where you can review alerts, reports and updates for the whole household in one convenient place. -
Affordable and flexible pricing
Of course, a family identity protection plan needs to be budget-friendly. The sweet spot is finding a plan with all the features you need at a price point that‘s manageable for your household finances. Flexible billing options are a bonus – some families may prefer to pay annually for a discount, while others appreciate the liquidity of month-to-month payments.
With those key criteria in mind, my top recommendation for families is LifeLock with Norton 360. Here‘s why.
Why LifeLock Has the Best Identity Theft Protection for Families
LifeLock has been a leader in consumer identity theft protection for nearly 20 years. And their family plans simply outperform the competition in my experience. LifeLock offers the most robust suite of monitoring and alerts, tons of extras that are perfect for families, and the flexibility to choose between price points.
Monitoring and Alerts Galore
All of LifeLock‘s family plans offer industry-leading monitoring that scans billions of data points for threats to you and your kids‘ identities. Even the entry-level Select plan includes:
- SSN and credit alerts
- Dark web surveillance
- USPS address change verification
- Lost wallet protection
Stepping up to the Advantage or Ultimate Plus plans unlocks extra perks like:
- Bank account and credit card alerts
- Fictitious identity monitoring
- Data breach notifications
- 401k and investment account alerts
- Bank and credit card new account alerts
- File-sharing network searches
- Sex offender registry sweeps
- Monthly credit score tracking
Best-in-Class Child Identity Theft Protection
As a parent, I especially appreciate LifeLock‘s dedication to preventing child identity theft. All of their family plans include special scans and alerts designed for children:
- Instant alerts if your child‘s SSN is used
- Dark web surveillance for your child‘s info
- Cyberbullying detection on social media
- Help dealing with cyberbullying situations
- Online gaming and virtual world monitoring (Ultimate Plus)
Flexible Plans and Pricing
One of LifeLock‘s biggest advantages is the flexibility to choose a family plan that fits your needs and budget. They offer family coverage at three tiers:
- LifeLock Select Family: $14.99/month for the first year, then $30.99/month ($29.99/month for first year, then $61.98/month if billed annually)
- LifeLock Advantage Family: $25.99/month for first year, then $41.99/month ($51.98/month for first year, then $83.98/month if billed annually)
- LifeLock Ultimate Plus Family: $35.99/month for first year, then $54.99/month ($71.98/month for first year, then $109.98/month if billed annually)
All of these plans cover 2 adults and up to 5 children under 18 in your household. So you have the flexibility to pick the level of protection you‘re comfortable with for one inclusive price.
Generous Insurance Coverage
While I hope you never need it, LifeLock‘s identity theft insurance and restoration services lead the industry. Its family plans provide:
- Up to $1 million each for both adults and children in stolen funds reimbursement
- Up to $1 million in coverage for lawyers and experts if needed
- Up to $25,000 per person for personal expenses incurred due to identity theft
- US-based restoration specialists to help you navigate the recovery process
So if the worst happens, you‘ll have ample resources and expert guidance to get your family‘s identity back on track.
Easy Family Management
LifeLock centralizes your family‘s identity monitoring in one easy-to-use online dashboard and mobile app. You can quickly review any alerts, reports or updates for each adult and child and take action with just a few clicks. No need to juggle multiple logins or interfaces.
Bonus Online Security Tools
Finally, LifeLock family plans also come bundled with Norton 360 online security software. So in addition to guarding your personal info, you‘ll protect your family‘s devices and data with:
- Anti-malware, anti-ransomware and antivirus tools
- Online threat protection
- Password manager
- Secure VPN
- PC SafeCam
- Parental controls
It‘s a convenient way to consolidate your digital defenses under one roof.
How LifeLock Compares to Other Family Identity Theft Protection Services
To compare LifeLock to other top picks for families, I put together this quick overview:
| Provider | LifeLock | Identity Guard | IdentityForce | IDShield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Plan Price | $14.99 – $35.99/month (promo price) | $12.50 – $33.33/month | $27.95 – $32.95/month | $32.95 – $34.95/month |
| # of People Covered | 2 adults + 5 kids | 2 adults + unlimited kids | 2 adults + unlimited kids | 2 adults + 8 kids |
| Child SSN Monitoring | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Child Cyberbully Alerts | Yes | No | No | No |
| Adult Insurance | Up to $1 million each | Up to $1 million total | Up to $1 million each | Up to $1 million total |
| Child Insurance | Up to $1 million each | Up to $1 million total | Up to $1 million each | Up to $1 million total |
| Family Plan Options | 3 tiers | 3 tiers | 2 tiers | 2 tiers |
| Online Security | Norton 360 | Safe browsing tools | VPN & anti-phishing | No |
As you can see, LifeLock beats out even its closest competitors in key areas like child-specific protections, personalized insurance amounts, and extra online security tools. Identity Guard is a bit cheaper, but its plans lack critical features for families like child SSN monitoring. IDShield is more expensive than LifeLock in many cases but doesn‘t match its depth of coverage or perks.
Frequently Asked Questions About LifeLock Family Plans
To wrap up, here are quick answers to common questions I hear about LifeLock for families:
Is LifeLock worth it for families?
In my experience, LifeLock provides the most value and peace of mind for families compared to other identity theft protection services. It offers the most comprehensive monitoring, great child-specific features, and up to $1 million in coverage per person. Well worth the price for most households.
Does LifeLock protect my child‘s Social Security number?
Yes, all of LifeLock‘s family plans include detailed monitoring for your child‘s SSN. You‘ll get an instant alert if their SSN is used to apply for credit or shows up on suspicious websites.
How does LifeLock help with child cyberbullying?
LifeLock will scan your child‘s social media accounts and alert you to any cyberbullying-related posts or signs of distress. Its specialists can also provide guidance on steps to take if your child is being harassed online.
Does LifeLock have an app for families?
Yes, LifeLock provides convenient mobile apps for iOS and Android. You can view all alerts and reports for your family in one place on the go.
How much does LifeLock family plan cost?
LifeLock family plans start at $14.99/month for the first year ($31.99/month after) for the Select level of service. Prices range up to $35.99/month for the first year ($54.99/month after) for the most advanced Ultimate Plus tier.
When should I enroll my kids in LifeLock?
As soon as possible. Some experts recommend freezing your child‘s credit as early as birth to pre-empt identity thieves. The earlier you enroll them in LifeLock‘s monitoring, the better protected they‘ll be from this growing crime.
The Bottom Line
Choosing the right identity theft protection for your family is a big decision. You need robust monitoring, customized features for your family situation, and a trustworthy partner. That‘s why LifeLock is my top recommendation for families concerned about identity theft in 2024.
LifeLock simply goes the furthest to secure your whole family‘s sensitive data and rapidly respond to any signs of trouble. It offers the most extensive monitoring, proactive child protections, and insurance resources. And its flexible family plans make it easy to find the right level of coverage for your household‘s needs and budget.
While no service can prevent identity theft 100% of the time, LifeLock is the closest you can get to 360-degree security for you and your loved ones.
