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IDENTITY GUARD® Review

Identity Guard Review

Originally a provider of basic credit reports, credit scores, and credit monitoring, IDENTITY GUARD® expanded to present innovative solutions to the problem of identity theft. Now one of the foremost companies offering identity theft protection, IDENTITY GUARD goes beyond simply providing the usual services to bring many other important items vulnerable to identity theft under its protection — customers’ financial information, public records, personal data, and personal computers (to name just a few).

IDENTITY GUARD’s superior service has made the industry take notice. PC World magazine ranked IDENTITY GUARD’s Total Protection number one in the field, and Javelin designated the product “Best in Class.”

IDENTITY GUARD® Products

Basic Protection

Customers in search of superior protection from identity theft should look no further than IDENTITY GUARD© BASIC PROTECTION, which includes personal information Internet monitoring, lost wallet protection, $1 million identity theft insurance coverage, and 24-7 online access to a unique Identity Dashboard, with which customers can manage their account information.

IDENTITY GUARD® BASIC PROTECTION:

  • Analyzes vulnerability to identity theft using personal ID Risk Assessment©, advanced technology that helps to determine a customer’s risk level;
  • Reviews Internet chat rooms and newsgroups with patented Web-crawling technology, and alerts customers if their Social Security number, credit card numbers, or bank account numbers turn up in an unsecured online location;
  • Monitors applications made in a customer’s name for new credit, for car or home loans, for cell phones and so on, and alerts customers of these events so they may review and verify the information;
  • Provides $1 million loss reimbursement coverage for any losses incurred in a case of identity theft;
  • Provides Lost Wallet Protection by canceling credit card accounts and granting customers access to $2,000 emergency cash, which is withdrawn from their account;
  • Provides unlimited toll-free personal customer service, as well as access to the Identity Theft Assistance Center (ITAC), which consists of a team of specialists who stand ready to assist customers in recovering from identity theft;
  • Offers free annual credit report assistance by helping customers to access free annual credit reports.

WATCHFUL EYE©

IDENTITY GUARD’s WATCHFUL EYE monitors customers’ personal information for certain suspicious activity and alerts customers to this activity so they can take the necessary action. WATCHFUL EYE also provides quarterly updates, which include unlimited access to personal credit education specialists, as well as patented web-crawling technology that scans the Internet for Social Security numbers, credit cards, and bank account numbers.

Plus, WATCHFUL EYE:

  • Provides unlimited access to 1-bureau credit score with credit monitoring;
  • Reviews Internet chat rooms and newsgroups with patented Web-crawling technology then alerts customers if their Social Security number, credit cards, and bank account numbers turn up in unsecured online locations;
  • Delivers quarterly updates of credit scores, which allow customers to stay apprised of their credit standing;
  • Monitors credit bureau file every business day for fraudulent activity and alerts customers via email, text, or phone to any changes in their credit files;
  • Monitors addresses and alert customers to any changes thereto, so they can review the new information and take action if necessary.
  • Provides Lost Wallet Protection, which helps customers to cancel credit card accounts, and allows them access to $2,000 emergency cash from their funds;
  • Grants customers access to ITAC, which stands ready to help should they become a victim of identity theft;
  • Provides unlimited toll-free personal customer service and access to credit education specialists.

EXTRA CAUTION©

EXTRA CAUTION provides three credit scores based on data from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. It also generates reports based on credit monitoring across all three bureaus.

IDENTITY GUARD provides unlimited access to three credit reports and scores and alerts customers to any changes thereto with quarterly credit updates. EXTRA CAUTION also provides Lost Wallet Protection, ITAC victim assistance, and unlimited toll-free support from IDENTITY GUARD’s credit education specialists.

Plus, EXTRA CAUTION:

  • Offers unlimited access to three credit reports and scores with credit monitoring;
  • Delivers quarterly updates of three credit scores so customers can remain apprised of changes to their credit file;
  • Reviews Internet chat rooms and newsgroups with patented Web-crawling technology, and issues alerts to customers should their Social Security number, credit cards, and bank account numbers turn up in unsecured online locations;
  • Monitors customers’ credit bureau files every business day for fraudulent activity and alerts them via email, text, or phone of any changes thereto;
  • Monitors customers’ addresses for any changes and alerts customers should any changes occur, so they can take appropriate action;
  • Provides Lost Wallet Protection by canceling customers’ credit card accounts and allowing them access to $2,000 emergency cash from their accounts;
  • Grants customers access to ITAC, which stands ready to assist customers victimized by identity theft;
  • Provides unlimited toll-free personal customer service and access to credit education specialists;
  • Provides $1 million of loss reimbursement insurance coverage for any losses associated with an identity theft incident.

TOTAL PROTECTION

IDENTITY GUARD TOTAL PROTECTION, the most comprehensive identity theft protection product on the market today, provides exceptional service at an exceptional value.

Patented technology monitors and protects customers’ credit, computers, online activities, and mobile devices, giving award-winning protection around the clock. In addition, TOTAL PROTECTION saves customers hundreds of dollars on anti-virus, anti-spyware, and anti-keylogging software. An exclusive ID Vault© securely encrypts and stores usernames, passwords, and credit card information, and it logs customers into their favorite accounts automatically and safely.

Plus, TOTAL PROTECTION:

  • Grants unlimited access to three credit scores, and to credit monitoring;
  • Analyzes a customer’s vulnerability to identity theft using Personal ID Risk Assessment©, advanced technology that determines risk level;
  • Keeps computer and Internet activities safe with ZoneAlarm© anti-virus, anti-spyware, and firewall software, which customers can download and install safely and easily;
  • Supplies customers with an ID Vault©, a personal password protector that secures online finances from identity theft and such fraud schemes as phishing, pharming, and keystroke logging.
  • Protects on-the-go customers with MOBILE LOCKBOX©, which provides secure data storage and secure Web-enabled cell phone, PDA, or PC access to personal and financial records;
  • Secures online computer connections from key-logging software with PRIVACYPROTECT© encryption technology;
  • Reviews Internet chat rooms and newsgroups with patented Web-crawling technology, and issues alerts to customers should their Social Security number, credit cards, and bank account numbers turn up in unsecure online locations;
  • Delivers quarterly updates of credit scores, which allow customers to stay apprised of their credit standing;
  • Monitors customers’ credit bureau files every business day for fraudulent activity and alerts them via email, text, or phone of any changes thereto;
  • Monitors applications made in a customer’s name for new credit, for car or home loans, for cell phones and so on, and alerts customers of these events so they may review and verify the information;
  • Monitors customers’ addresses for any changes and alerts customers should any changes occur, so they can take the appropriate action;
  • Provides Lost Wallet Protection by canceling customers’ credit card accounts and allowing them access to $2,000 emergency cash from their accounts;
  • Grants customers access to ITAC, which stands ready to assist customers victimized by identity theft;
  • Provides unlimited toll-free personal customer service and access to credit education specialists;
  • Provides $1 million of loss reimbursement insurance coverage IDENTITY GUARD© for any losses associated with an identity theft incident.

Pricing and Cancellation Policies

IDENTITY GUARD’s four main plans offer options for all family and individual budgets:

  • TOTAL PROTECTION: $17.99/month or $179.95/year (save 15 percent)
  • EXTRA CAUTION: $14.99/month or $149.95/year (save 15 percent)
  • WATCHFUL EYE: $9.99/month or $99.95/year (save 15 percent)
  • BASIC PROTECTION: $4.99/month or $49.95/year (save 17 percent)

Customers purchasing annual plans are covered by IDENTITY GUARD’s 30-day satisfaction guarantee and are entitled to a pro-rated refund of the subscription amount, no matter the time of cancellation. Only customers who cancel within 30 days of their purchasing the annual service receive a full refund.

Monthly customers who have paid for months in advance are similarly entitled to a pro-rated refund of the full amount.

Customer Service

Summary

Unlike some other credit-monitoring services, IDENTITY GUARD provides its customers with credit bureau scores and public record monitoring. The company also offers anti-keylogging software and an Internet Security Suite. What’s more, IDENTITY GUARD stands by the quality of its product: it offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. These services and more make IDENTITY GUARD stand out from its competitors.

Though IDENTITY GUARD’s Total Protection program is among one of the most expensive services on the market, the company also presents budget options, offering basic services for as little as $4.99 a month.

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