With identity theft on the rise, SSN fraud is a leading type of identity theft. Someone can use your SSN to claim tax returns, your stimulus check and other payments. A sophisticated scammer can even use your SSN to gain access to sensitive financial information.
But how do you know if someone is using your SSN right now?
The bad news is that unless you're getting suspicious bills, calls from debt collectors on debt that you don't recognize or you're missing your stimulus check or tax refund, you don't. And by the time you find it out, it might be months before you can repair the damage done.
Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself and be alerted any time there's any suspicious activity or any time your SSN is being used: identity theft protection and monitoring services. We've broken down the best services that will keep your SSN safe
The 3 Best Identity Theft Protection Services For SSN Monitoring and Protection
- Constant SSN scanning
- 24/7 live alerts
- Tax refund monitoring
IdentityGuard stands out in that its monitoring services are backed by IBM’s Watson, a powerful artificial intelligence tool. Using AI, IdentityGuard scours billions of data points on the internet to find out and alert its customers when their SSN is found to be stolen.
This is especially important when a tax return is issued or other government benefits are issued in your name. With IdentityGuard you'll know immediately if someone is claiming them.
- Combines antivirus and SSN monitoring
- Takes minutes to set up and install
- Up to $1 million identity theft coverage
Norton LifeLock offers a combination of Norton’s industry-leading antivirus and anti-malware solutions with Lifelock, a SSN and credit monitoring solution.
LifeLock protects your SSN from data-stealing viruses, phishing, spyware, ransomware, and online scams.
Lifelock also includes SSN file monitoring, alerts when someone applies for an online loan or payday loan in your name.
3. IdentityIQ
- Specialized SSN & credit tracking
- Children included free
IdentityIQ is a more budget-friendly favorite among ID theft services. Even its most basic plan includes a solid line-up of SSN and credit monitoring features.
The top identity theft protection service providers listed in this article all offer a range of services. Before choosing a provider, think about how much time you spend shopping online and the levels of risk you and your family might face. As with any service, it’s always a good idea to compare providers by price, features, usability, and customer service. Compare more options here.
