In a world where cybercrime and identity theft are growing at unprecedented rates, services like LifeLock have become increasingly popular. But many consumers wonder, how much does LifeLock really cost? While the idea of protecting your personal information is comforting, it’s essential to understand what you’re paying for and whether the benefits justify the expenses.
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What Is LifeLock?
LifeLock is a well-known identity theft protection service, now a part of NortonLifeLock, which specializes in monitoring your personal information and alerting you to possible threats. Additionally, the service promises to help recover your identity if it gets stolen and even reimburses certain losses resulting from identity theft.
But how much are you really paying for this peace of mind? The answer is more nuanced than a single figure. Depending on the level of coverage you choose, LifeLock’s price can range widely.
LifeLock Pricing Tiers
LifeLock offers several pricing tiers to suit different needs. Here’s a breakdown of each:
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Standard Plan: Starts at $11.99/month or $124.99/year. This entry-level plan includes:
- Basic identity and SSN alerts
- Credit monitoring from one bureau
- Dark web monitoring
- Up to $1 million in coverage for lawyers and experts for identity recovery
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Advantage Plan: Starts at $22.99/month or $239.99/year. In addition to everything in the Standard Plan, it includes:
- Alerts for crimes committed in your name
- Bank and credit card activity alerts
- Coverage for stolen funds reimbursement up to $100,000
- More comprehensive identity and financial monitoring
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Ultimate Plus Plan: Starts at $34.99/month or $339.99/year. This is the premium package, offering:
- Credit monitoring from all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)
- 401(k) and investment account activity alerts
- Priority support and annual credit reports
- Up to $1 million in stolen funds reimbursement
Note: These prices reflect LifeLock’s regular prices, but they often offer introductory discounts for the first year. It’s crucial to read the fine print, as prices may increase significantly upon renewal.
More than Just the Monthly Fee
While the monthly fee gives you a general idea of how much each tier costs, several additional factors might affect your total cost:
- Family Plans: LifeLock offers plans that cover multiple people, usually at a discounted rate per person. For families with children, identity theft protection becomes even more important, as children are often targets due to clean credit histories.
- Bundled Services: LifeLock often bundles their services with Norton antivirus software. While this increases the monthly cost, it provides more comprehensive digital protection, including against malware and ransomware.
- Add-Ons: You may also find additional charges for add-on services such as VPN access, cloud backup, and parental controls.
This means that if you’re not careful, what starts as a $12/month plan could easily climb to $40/month or more, depending on your selections.
Is LifeLock Worth the Cost?
The real question is whether the service provides enough value for what you pay. For someone who has a high risk of identity theft—such as a frequent traveler, or someone who regularly shops online—the benefits could outweigh the cost.
Here are a few points to consider:
- Peace of Mind: Knowing that your credit and identity are continuously being monitored can be a stress reliever, especially after a major breach or data leak involving companies you use.
- Professional Recovery Assistance: If your identity is stolen, LifeLock assigns a dedicated Identity Restoration Specialist to help handle the time-consuming and stressful recovery process.
- Financial Reimbursement: Having financial protection—up to $1 million in most plans—can cushion the impact of identity theft, which can be extremely costly to recover from.
However, some critics argue that many of the monitoring services LifeLock offers, like credit report access and fraud alerts, can be done yourself for free. For example, you can regularly check your credit reports through AnnualCreditReport.com, and place fraud alerts with the credit bureaus.
Promotions and Discounts
LifeLock frequently runs promotions where you can get 25% to 40% off for the first year. While this can make your initial subscription more affordable, be aware that the price will revert to the regular rate after the promotional period ends.
Tip: Set a calendar reminder to reassess your subscription a month before it renews. It might be worth downgrading your plan or exploring other identity protection services if your needs have changed.
What Are Users Saying?
Reviews of LifeLock vary, but many users highlight the responsive customer service and the effectiveness of alerts. That said, some negative reviews mention:
- Frustration with the price increase after the first year
- Difficulty in canceling subscriptions
- A few alerts being overly cautious, flagging routine behavior
Still, most users agree that LifeLock offers a comprehensive solution for those wanting hands-off identity protection. If you’re not very tech-savvy or prefer not to manually manage your data security, LifeLock can be a worthwhile investment.
Alternatives to LifeLock
If you’re unsure about LifeLock, it’s also worth exploring competing services such as:
- IdentityForce: Offers many of the same anti-fraud features with competitive pricing.
- Experian IdentityWorks: Leverages the credit agency’s vast resources to provide solid protection, particularly useful for credit monitoring.
- Aura: A newer but comprehensive service with strong customer satisfaction reviews.
Comparing features side-by-side can help ensure you’re getting the most value for your money.
Final Thoughts
So, how much does LifeLock really cost? The actual figure depends on the plan you choose, any optional add-ons, and your long-term needs. For most people, you can expect to spend anywhere from $125 to $340 a year, not including potential discounts or bundling with Norton services.
If you’re concerned about identity theft and prefer managed protection, then LifeLock is certainly a contender. Just be sure to understand what you’re paying for, keep a close eye on renewal prices, and compare options regularly.
At the end of the day, knowledge is your best defense—and knowing exactly what your identity protection service includes is an excellent place to start.