Identity theft is one of the most stressful and disruptive cybercrimes you can experience. It can torpedo your credit score, drain your bank accounts, and require countless hours to resolve. In 2021 alone, nearly 42 million Americans were victims of identity fraud, costing a total of $52 billion.^1
As a cybersecurity professional with over a decade of experience, I‘ve seen first-hand how devastating identity theft can be. The best protection is being proactive–freezing your credit, using secure passwords, enabling 2FA, and signing up for identity theft monitoring.
But even with precautions in place, identity theft can still happen. That‘s where identity restoration services are critical. These services help guide you through the complex process of recovering your identity, disputing fraudulent accounts/charges, and restoring your credit and good name.
In this guide, I‘ll share my top picks for the best identity theft restoration services available today. I‘ll also provide expert tips on what to look for in a provider and answer common FAQs.
What is identity restoration?
Identity restoration is the process of recovering your identity and undoing the damage caused by identity theft or fraud. This involves contacting financial institutions, creditors, the credit bureaus, law enforcement, the IRS, and other entities to dispute fraudulent activity, close unauthorized accounts, and clear your records.
The FTC estimates that identity theft victims spend an average of 200 hours recovering their identity on their own.^2 Professional identity restoration services handle this legwork for you–saving immense time and headache. The best identity theft protection services include identity restoration as part of their offering.
Why you need identity restoration services
There are several reasons why having access to identity restoration experts is a smart move:
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Identity theft is incredibly common. There was a new victim of identity theft every 2 seconds in 2021.^3 The pandemic has only increased fraud, with identity theft reports to the FTC up 113% in 2020 compared to 2019.^4
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The consequences can be severe. Identity thieves can open new credit accounts, take out loans, drain your bank accounts, claim your tax refund, commit crimes in your name, and tank your credit. The financial and legal fallout can haunt you for years.
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The recovery process is complex. Restoring your identity involves countless phone calls, emails, letters, reports, and forms. It‘s an uphill battle to get fraudulent activity removed from your credit report and clear your name with individual creditors/institutions.
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Professional guidance makes a huge difference. Identity restoration experts deal with identity theft every day. They know exactly what to do, who to contact, and how to get faster results. Having a trusted advisor saves you major time and stress.
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You may need it when you least expect it. You can‘t predict if or when identity theft will strike. But if it does, you‘ll be glad to have an identity restoration partner ready to jump into action.
What to look for in an identity theft restoration provider
Not all identity theft restoration services are created equal. Here are the key things I recommend looking for when evaluating providers:
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Extent of restoration services: Some providers only offer advice/guidance, while others provide hands-on help with making phone calls, filing reports, etc. Ideally you want full-service restoration where a case manager handles the entire recovery process for you.
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Insurance coverage: Identity theft restoration can involve legal fees, lost wages, travel expenses, and more. The best providers include at least $1 million in identity theft insurance to cover these costs. Some offer up to $3 million.
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Ease of use: The last thing you want during a stressful time is a clunky, confusing app or portal. Look for providers with intuitive, well-designed apps that make it easy to access support.
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Proactive monitoring: Restoration is critical, but proactive monitoring can help you catch fraud faster to minimize damages. The top identity protection services include monitoring for your personal info on the dark web, new accounts, social media, and more.
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Support for the whole family: Child identity theft is a growing problem. Choose a provider that offers restoration services for both adults and children in your household. Family plans are a smart way to protect everyone.
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Credit monitoring and alerts: The best identity protection services pull your credit report from all three bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) and send alerts if new accounts or inquiries appear. Catching credit fraud early is key.
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Reputation and reviews: Check the provider‘s Better Business Bureau rating and read third-party reviews from trusted sites. Make sure other customers report a good experience with the restoration services.
Best identity theft restoration services compared
Here‘s a comparison of the top identity restoration providers I recommend, along with key features and pricing:
| Provider | Restoration Services | Insurance | Family Plan | Credit Monitoring | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aura | White-glove, full-service restoration | $1M per adult | Up to 5 adults, unlimited kids | 3-bureau monitoring | $12/mo |
| Identity Guard | Full-service restoration | $1M per adult | Up to 3 adults, unlimited kids | 3-bureau monitoring | $7.50/mo |
| LifeLock | Full-service restoration, 24/7 live support | $1M – $3M per adult | Up to 2 adults, 5 kids | 3-bureau monitoring | $9.99/mo |
| IdentityForce | Full-service restoration, 24/7 access | $1M per adult | Up to 2 adults, children | 3-bureau monitoring | $9.99/mo |
| IDShield | Licensed private investigators | $1M per person | Up to 2 adults, 10 kids | 1-bureau monitoring | $13.95/mo |
Top identity restoration service picks
1. Aura
Best for families and comprehensive protection
Aura is my top overall pick for identity theft protection with full-service restoration. Some standout features:
- White-glove restoration services and 24/7 customer support
- $1 million insurance per adult
- Proactive transaction monitoring
- Bank account, home title, and investment account monitoring
- Monitors your info on criminal/court records and dark web
- Parental controls with smart content filters for kids‘ devices
- Antivirus software and VPN for device/Wi-Fi protection
Aura plans start at $12/month for individuals and $37/month for families of up to 5 adults and unlimited kids when billed annually.
2. Identity Guard
Best for long-term affordability
Identity Guard is a strong choice if you want quality restoration services at an affordable, locked-in price. It uses IBM Watson AI technology to proactively monitor for threats. Key features:
- Fully-managed identity restoration with dedicated case manager
- $1 million insurance per person
- Monthly credit score and report from all 3 bureaus
- Risk management report and score to help improve online safety
- Anti-phishing mobile app and safe browsing tools
- Monitors your personal info on dark web
Identity Guard plans start at just $7.50 per month for individuals and $12.50 per month for families.
3. Norton LifeLock
Best for high insurance coverage limits
Norton LifeLock pairs robust identity theft protection with generous insurance coverage for stolen funds and expenses. Some core features:
- Full-service identity restoration with dedicated specialist
- Up to $1 million in stolen funds reimbursement and $1 million for expenses
- Alerts for suspicious activity on credit, bank accounts, 401(k) and more
- Dark web monitoring and data breach notifications
- Annual credit scores and reports from all 3 major credit bureaus
- Device protection with Norton antivirus and Secure VPN
LifeLock plans start at $9.99/month for the first year and include coverage for up to 2 adults and 5 kids.
Identity theft restoration FAQs
What‘s the difference between identity monitoring and restoration?
Identity monitoring proactively scans for signs that a criminal may be using your personal information. This can include monitoring your credit reports, the dark web, public/court records, and more for suspicious activity. If anything is found, you‘re alerted so you can take action.
Identity restoration is the process of recovering your identity after a theft occurs. This involves disputing fraudulent activity, closing unauthorized accounts, and working with creditors, law enforcement, and government agencies to restore your identity.
The two services work hand-in-hand to help prevent and resolve identity theft.
What should I do if my identity is stolen?
If you suspect you‘re a victim of identity theft, here are the key steps to take:
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Contact your identity theft protection provider immediately to kick off the restoration process.
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Place a fraud alert on your credit reports with all three credit bureaus. This notifies lenders to verify your identity before extending credit.
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Report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov. You can create an official Identity Theft Report.
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File a police report with your local police station.
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Close any fraudulent accounts that were opened in your name. Your identity restoration specialist can help with this.
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Consider placing a credit freeze to prevent criminals from opening new accounts in your name. You‘ll need to contact each bureau individually.
The sooner you act, the faster you can minimize damages and start the road to recovery.
How long does it take to restore your identity after a theft?
The timeline varies depending on the severity of the identity theft. According to the National Association for Victim Assistance, it takes an average of 6 months and 200 hours of work to resolve identity theft.^6
Having an identity restoration service can significantly speed up that timeline by leveraging their expertise and industry connections. The best providers assign you a dedicated case manager who handles all the legwork on your behalf until your identity is restored.
Is paying for identity restoration worth it?
In my professional opinion, identity restoration services are absolutely worth the peace of mind. A few key reasons:
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You get full-service, hands-on support if identity theft strikes, which can save you hundreds of stressful hours.
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Restoration specialists have direct lines of contact at creditors, government agencies, etc. to get faster results.
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You‘re covered by up to $1 million in insurance for out-of-pocket losses and expenses related to identity restoration.
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Catching fraud early is critical. The best identity protection services include proactive monitoring to alert you at the first signs of trouble.
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Family plans provide coverage for your spouse, children, and other family members under one affordable price.
When you consider that the average cost of identity theft is $1,100 per victim in stolen funds/assets,^7 paying a small monthly fee for professional help is a smart investment.
Bottom line
I hope this guide has underscored the importance of having an identity restoration partner in your corner. Identity theft is stressful enough–you don‘t need to go it alone. Let the professionals be your guide.
My top recommendation is Aura for its comprehensive monitoring, white-glove restoration, and protection for the entire family. But Identity Guard and LifeLock are also solid choices.
No matter which provider you choose, make sure you understand what‘s included in the restoration services. Ideally you want a dedicated case manager who will handle the entire identity recovery process on your behalf.
The key is being proactive and having a plan before identity theft strikes. A small investment in professional restoration services today can save you a major headache tomorrow.
