What is the best identity theft protection in 2026?

Aura is the best overall with three-bureau credit monitoring, dark web surveillance, and $5 million insurance for $12/month. NordVPN Threat Protection Pro prevents data theft proactively. Surfshark Alert offers the best value at $3.99/month.

Is identity theft protection worth the cost?

With 1.4 million FTC reports in 2025 and average recovery costs of $1,100+ and 200+ hours, monitoring at $1.49-$12/month is a fraction of potential recovery expenses.

Can a VPN prevent identity theft?

A VPN prevents certain data theft by encrypting connections and blocking tracking, but doesn't monitor credit bureaus or scan the dark web. Combine VPN (prevention) with monitoring (detection).

What should I do if my identity is stolen?

File at IdentityTheft.gov, place fraud alerts on all three credit bureaus, file a police report, review credit reports, contact your identity protection service, and change all passwords.

Do I need identity theft protection if I have credit monitoring?

Credit monitoring only covers credit activity. Identity theft protection adds dark web monitoring, SSN surveillance, financial alerts, and insurance for broader coverage.

Is free identity theft protection good enough?

Free services provide basic coverage but lack depth, insurance, and recovery assistance. For significant financial exposure, paid services offer meaningfully better protection.

How do identity theft services scan the dark web?

Automated crawlers and human intelligence monitor dark web marketplaces, forums, and data dumps for your personal information, alerting you when found.

Can children be victims of identity theft?

Yes. Children are increasingly targeted for their clean credit histories. Theft often goes undetected for years. Family plans like Aura include child monitoring.

7 Best Identity Theft Protection Services in 2026: Monitoring and Recovery

7 Best Identity Theft Protection Services in 2026: Monitoring and Recovery | Nest Digital Studio