Identity Defense Identity Theft Protection Review

WHAT DOES IDENTITY GUARD® PROTECT AGAINST?

Identity Defense monitors your information using state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence powered by IBM with Watson, which can check billions of pieces of information to make sure you’re safe and alert you if anything comes up.

Identity thieves use multiple methods to attempt to steal your information and use it without your knowledge. Companies that store your information can succumb to data breaches, your computer can be the target of malware, your credit card and financial information can be stolen through ATM overlays, and your identity and personal information can be swiped through the mail. Identity Defense has the tools to constantly monitor your data and let you know if it has been compromised.

FEATURES AND SERVICES

Identity Defense offers three plans for both individuals and families. These are:

• The Essential plan - the most affordable of the three plans, it offers its AI-powered platform for risk management reporting and dark web monitoring.
• The Plus plan - the mid-tier option, it includes all features of the Essential plan, plus monthly credit scores, address monitoring, and three-bureau credit monitoring. 
• The Complete plan - the most comprehensive of all, it features everything mentioned above as well as credit score and reporting, a social insight report, and bank account takeovers.

The website states that Identity Defense covers your losses in case of identity theft with stolen fund reimbursement and identity theft insurance for up to $1 million. Insurance is underwritten by subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group Inc.

Unfortunately, the company’s website does not offer any additional information regarding these services or the insurance feature.

PRICING

Customers can choose from Identity Defense’s three plans either as an individual or as a family. Presumably, the individual plan is for only one person while the family plan includes additional people. The website does not explain who or how many people can be included in the family plan.

Aside from the individual and family plans, customers can choose to be billed monthly or annually. The annual membership offers significantly reduced prices compared to the month-by-month model.

In addition to the savings obtained from choosing an annual membership, Identity Defense offers a special promotional price for the first term of any purchased plan. 

It’s not the most straightforward pricing structure but it does provide considerable savings, particularly if choosing annual plans.

As for its cancellation and refund policy, Identity Defense states that customers can cancel anytime and continue using the service until the end of the term. Monthly subscriptions are not eligible for refund and annual subscriptions are only eligible for refund within the first 30 days after being charged.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

One drawback we found with Identity Defense is the lack of information on its website about its services and products. 

Additionally, there is no customer service phone number easily available and no way of contacting them directly unless you dig deep through the website’s pages. 

There is only one mention of a “US-based Customer Care team” that’s available to answer questions, but no way to reach them is offered.

The only places where any contact information is provided is at the end of the Terms and Conditions, where a mailing address and an email link are provided, and in the cancellation and refund policy page where, after reading some fine print, you will find the customer care center phone number.

Nonetheless, Identity Defense’s parent company, Intersections Inc. (Aura), is highly regarded in the industry, with more than 25 years in the business, and manages other identity theft protection services such as Identity Guard.

Aura is an accredited business and carries an A+ rating in the BBB.

BOTTOM LINE

Compared to other services, Identity Defense offers affordable identity theft protection for both individuals and families, although its pricing structure might be confusing and its refund policy lacking. 

Even with a dearth of product information online, Identity Defense’s parent company has a proven track record as a credit monitoring and identity theft protection business, meaning the services you receive should be first-class.