Digital Security 101

Your ID contains enough sensitive personal information to steal your identity, access your bank accounts, and forge official documents in your name.

The identity theft recovery process involves freezing your credit, filing an official report, disputing fraudulent transactions and securing your accounts.

Aura and Identity Guard both offer all-in-one protection plans — but there are several differences in their services that can help you decide between them.

The first warning signs of identity theft include unusual financial transactions and hacked accounts — but there are other red flags that you should know.

Government agencies can legally require your SSN under federal law. Private companies can request it, but unless a law applies, you can refuse.

Signs of SSN misuse can be hard to spot. Look for data breach alerts, unexpected earnings on your Social Security statement, and credit report errors.

IDShield is worth it if you want licensed private investigators and can pay extra for three-bureau credit monitoring. It’s less ideal for broader coverage.

LifeLock offers strong protection against identity thieves, but its pricing plans are confusing and costly compared to alternatives like Aura.