Expert Review

Symantec, known for their leading anti-virus & cybersecurity software Norton, acquired LifeLock in 2017. The acquisition combined two leading organizations in the digital security field creating what we believe to be one of the largest and most capable digital security provider to date. This puts LifeLock leaps and bounds ahead of the pack providing even more value for anyone looking to purchase identity theft protection as it adds additional layers of cyber security to an already stellar product.

In our opinion, when most people think identity theft protection, they think LifeLock. Since their aggressive marketing practices over 10 years ago where CEO, Todd Davis, drove around New York City flaunting his social security number fearlessly to now, LifeLock has led the way in both marketing itself as a leader in identity theft protection but also backing it up by evolving its product to consistently evolve the identity protection market. Before we get into our likes and dislikes, it’s easy to see why LifeLock is our top pick.

What We Like

We love the product evolution of LifeLock’s service and their constant investment into providing the best memberships possible for consumers. As technology and personal information monitoring becomes more robust, LifeLock stays at the forefront of those changes and incorporates elements that will yield protection for its members, especially when compared to free credit monitoring services.

In 2012, LifeLock acquired ID Analytics and in 2017 LifeLock and ID Analytics were acquired by Symantec, an enterprise risk management used by U.S. corporations. With ID Analytics alert data, LifeLock holds a significant advantage from a technology standpoint over its competitors.

LifeLock’s membership options are also a big plus to their overall identity theft protection service offering. Not everyone has the same income levels, the same risk level, or same behaviors online or offline, but anyone can fall victim to identity theft. LifeLock’s membership plan variety allows consumers to choose between the following 3 levels depending on needs and assets to protect (LifeLock Junior® membership is available only along with an adult membership.

In addition to providing an excellent identity protection product, they are also highly motivated in providing the highest quality customer service. We’ve heard numerous stories of LifeLock U.S.-Based Identity Restoration Specialists developing long term relationships with LifeLock members once those members have experienced identity theft and are in need of resolution and restoration. This is a testament to LifeLock’s care and dedication to its members.

The evolution of their identity theft protection is also a big LIKE for us. With LifeLock’s premier products, LifeLock Advantage and LifeLock Ultimate Plus, members receive credit reports and scores1 as part of their membership, all accessible through their online member portal 24/7.

The credit scores provided are VantageScore 3.0 credit scores based on data from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion respectively. Any One-Bureau VantageScore mentioned is based on Equifax data only. Third parties use many different types of credit scores and are likely to use a different type of credit score to assess your creditworthiness.

What We Don’t Like

There’s not much that we don’t like about LifeLock when we review its position in the identity theft protection space. After all, it has a price point that’s accessible for pretty much anyone and in our opinion provides the best identity theft protection service available, what’s not to like?

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is simple, if you’re going to invest in helping to protect your personal information and purchase identity theft protection, your money is best spent enrolling in LifeLock. LifeLock’s memberships provide excellent and reliable protection at a great price.

LifeLock and ASR are so confident that you’ll be satisfied with the service that through this LifeLock review we’re offering up to 30% off your membership for the first year (terms apply)!

Disclosure: LifeLock, as well as other companies reviewed on ASR, compensate us for enrollments made through this site. There are many great identity theft protection providers and most of them compensate us for sales, therefore it doesn’t matter to us who you chose as long as you get the protection that’s best for you. Our reviews are completely unbiased and honest based on our expert opinion of the provided service.


How LifeLock Works

LifeLock identity protection services offer multiple layers of protection, LifeLock Scans & Alerts†, Defends, and Restores. And LifeLock separates itself with the addition of proprietary technology and the experience as an industry leader to add confidence and trust behind its platform.

Detection

Without a doubt LifeLock offers robust identification and detection capabilities when compared to other providers through its ID Analytics data & technology capabilities. No other identity theft protection provider has access to the visibility and algorithmic insight that ID Analytics provides through its technology platform.

Alerts

Another advantage of LifeLock comes in its “Alert” phase of identity protection. LifeLock also delivers best in class alerts† when something goes wrong. Let’s take a closer look:

LifeLock Identity Alert System† is the foundation for all LifeLock services. LifeLock monitors for fraudulent use of your Social Security number, name, address, or date of birth in applications for credit and services. The patented system sends alerts by text, phone‡‡, email, or mobile app.

Restoration

If LifeLock detects suspicious activity on a customer’s account and have been notified and verified that the event was suspicious, the LifeLock U.S.-based Identity Restoration Specialists steps in.

We know what to do. LifeLock’s U.S.-based Identity Restoration Specialists are ready to help with identity theft restoration. And if your identity is ever compromised, an Identity Restoration Specialist takes charge.

Most people familiar with identity theft protection services are familiar with LifeLock’s Million Dollar Protection Package†††. But what exactly does that mean? No, they’re not going to give you a million dollars if your identity is stolen and no they’re not going to repay you if you incur damages up to a $1,000,000 as a result of ID theft.

What LifeLock’s team will do is come to your aid in helping resolve your identity theft event every step of the way. So, what about the Million Dollar Protection Package†††, right? If you become a victim of identity theft, LifeLock helps protect you with our Million Dollar Protection Package†††. This includes reimbursement for stolen funds and coverage for personal expenses, each with limits of up to $25,000, $100,000 or $1 million depending on your plan, and coverage for lawyers and experts if needed up to $1 million, to help resolve your case. Coverage may include:

As a LifeLock member you’re benefited with all of the great assets listed above but what’s rarely mentioned is LifeLock’s leadership, experience, and overall expertise in the world of identity theft protection services.

LifeLock provides significant resources to its members and even those who are not members to educate and inform on the realities of ID theft.


LifeLock Plans & Pricing Review

LifeLock has continually evolved its product that started as just one identity protection plan to what is now a suite of services to fit a variety of needs based on what the consumer is looking for. Here’s a quick and easy breakdown of each LifeLock product.

LifeLock Standard

The entry level product of LifeLock’s suite of identity theft protection services, LifeLock Standard, offers more than entry-level identity theft protection. LifeLock Standard identity protection includes:

During our review of LifeLock’s products we found that all of them from top to bottom provide solid protection and resolution for identity theft. Beginning with LifeLock Standard as their base product is a great place to start. Our LifeLock Standard review shows that this service provides good protection at a very affordable price, especially when combined with ASR’s 30% off your first year offer (terms apply). Members get protection with LifeLock’s proprietary LifeLock Identity Alert System† as well as their base services listed above, which we’ve come to find during our review of LifeLock is leaps and bounds ahead of the competition.

LifeLock Advantage

LifeLock’s intermediate identity theft protection plan services those consumers who are looking for more than the basic level of protection provided in LifeLock Standard but maybe don’t want to spend the $30 per month cost of the LifeLock Ultimate Plus plan, or simply don’t have a need for that level of protection. LifeLock Advantage serves that consumer well and comes with all services included in LifeLock Standard as well as:

Our Review of LifeLock Advantage as a stand-alone product was eye-opening and impressive. For the cost of service, we don’t find more value anywhere in the market. In addition to the great protection and resolution you receive in LifeLock’s base product, LifeLock Standard, with Advantage you get the addition of monitoring of your financial accounts such as checking, savings, and credit accounts. If you’re at the point of reviewing LifeLock products to enroll in, take a heavy look at LifeLock Advantage because it’s value is hard to beat.

LifeLock Ultimate Plus

If you couldn’t tell by the name, LifeLock Ultimate Plus is the flagship and most comprehensive level of identity theft protection offered by LifeLock and includes everything in theLifeLock Standard and Lifelock Advantage plans, plus:

Reviewing LifeLock Ultimate Plus is easy, just try to find what it doesn’t provide because all of the important items are taken care of in spades. Protection from ID Analytics and the LifeLock Identity Alert System†, Credit, Checking and Savings Account Activity Alerts†, Investment Account Activity Alerts†, dark web monitoring, Three-Bureau Annual Credit Reports and Credit Scores1, LifeLock’s online member portal with all the bells and whistles, and who can forget their 24/7 live member support team and Million Dollar Protection Package†††. Review LifeLock Ultimate Plus and you’ll find that it has the bases covered for a very fair price. Our top recommended identity theft protection plan hands down.

The credit scores provided are VantageScore 3.0 credit scores based on data from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion respectively. Third parties use many different types of credit scores and are likely to use a different type of credit score to assess your creditworthiness.

LifeLock Junior

Your child’s clean credit file is a gold mine for identity thieves. Critical misuse and damage could go completely undetected or years. LifeLock Junior identity theft protection helps proactively safeguard your child’s personal information with a combination of advanced monitoring† features uniquely designed to help protect children against identity theft. LifeLock Junior membership is available only as an added membership to an adult LifeLock plan.


LifeLock Member Support Review

LifeLock members have access to excellent member amenities including a fully interactive member portal as well as live 24/7 live member support. The member portal (more details below) allows you to access and view your alerts†, tips to help protect your identity, view your credit score, and setup your account.

Customer Support

As a member of any LifeLock plan, you have access to their 24/7 live member support team and if identity theft does occur, a U.S.-Based Identity Restoration Specialist, dedicated to you, will personally manage your case.

General Support: 1-800-987-6543
Member Services: Access Via Member Portal

Member Portal

The credit scores provided are VantageScore 3.0 credit scores based on data from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion respectively. Third parties use many different types of credit scores and are likely to use a different type of credit score to assess your creditworthiness.

Through the LifeLock member portal dashboard, members can see a snapshot of critical information associated with their identity and LifeLock identity theft protection services. From here, users can drill down deeper into setting up their account, viewing their alerts† and notifications, reviewing their credit score1 (if enrolled in a plan that includes one), and more.

Account setup is a cinch! Within the Manage Account tab you simply click “Add Account,” select your financial institution, and enter your password then LifeLock does the rest by monitoring transactions through their proprietary ID Analytics software and notifying members purchases over a certain amount.

You can also access your credit score1 and view changes to your score over different time periods with LifeLock Advantage and LifeLock Ultimate Plus accounts (refer to our Pricing section for credit report and score frequency and number of bureaus reported with each plan). LifeLock also provides score factors that contribute to where your score is and why at any given time.


LifeLock History

LifeLock was founded and previously based in Tempe, AZ by Todd Davis and Robert Maynard in 2005 to bring to market an American identity theft protection company intended to identify and potentially stop fraudulent credit and non-credit related activities on an individual’s personal information. Amidst controversy in 2007, Maynard left the company leaving Davis as the sole CEO. Later, LifeLock evolved its detection capabilities with the acquisition of ID Analytics following a round of funding in March of 2012. LifeLock announced its initial public offering shortly thereafter and released stock to the market in Q3 2012.

Investor Information

NASDAQ: SYMC
LifeLock Initial Public Offering (IPO): October 3, 2012
LifeLock IPO Starting Price: $9.00 per share
LifeLock IPO Total Volume Offering: 15,700,000


Frequently Asked Questions

LifeLock is a leading identity theft protection company, and they’re committed to providing you with an experience you’ll want to tell your friends about. You’re getting protection on their premium plans with personal information monitoring as well as a Million Dollar Protection™ Package††† if you fall victim to identity theft. This includes reimbursement for stolen funds and coverage for personal expenses, each with limits of up to $25,000, $100,000 or $1 million depending on your plan, and coverage for lawyers and experts if needed up to $1 million, to help resolve your case.

LifeLock Standard™ starts at $9.99 a month for the first year, while LifeLock Advantage™ is $19.99 a month for the first year and LifeLock Ultimate Plus™ is $29.99 for the first year. LifeLock Junior™ is their plan for those under 18 years of age and is $5.99 for the first year. LifeLock Junior™ membership is available only as an added membership to an adult LifeLock plan. Note that all pricing is per member and does not include applicable sales tax.

LifeLock’s US-based identity restoration team is available to support your restoration needs during business hours. However, LifeLock’s provides 24/7 live member support so you always have support in case of an emergency.

No. The company has a loyal customer base, and while they don’t have a perfect grade from the BBB (B+), their efforts have been noticed and the company continues to thrive.

LifeLock has thousands of reviews from satisfied customers who use their product and vouch for the value it provides through their positive review. In aggregate, LifeLock’s review rating is 4.5 stars on average according to LifeLock.com.

No.

Yes. LifeLock provides information on their privacy policy and data security here.

Yes, and you will receive a pro-rated refund as long as you purchased your plan directly through Life Lock. Should you have done it through a third party, you will not receive a refund.

You can cancel online through your account portal if you choose any of the identity theft protection plans.

Not everything – there are some services LifeLock provides that customers can do themselves. LifeLock is not merely checking your credit report the same way you could do every month. They have advanced technology to monitor and help protect your identity, and they put their resources to good use.

LifeLock pulls credit reports and scores1 from all 3 credit bureaus once you sign up.

The credit scores provided are VantageScore 3.0 credit scores based on data from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion respectively. Third parties use many different types of credit scores and are likely to use a different type of credit score to assess your creditworthiness.

They do not have an express family plan, but they do have LifeLock Junior which is available with a paid adult plan for an additional $5.99 plus applicable sales tax.

LifeLock scans hundreds of millions of data points looking for uses of you personal information, and with proprietary technology, and their Identity Alert® system notifies you to a wide range of potential threats to your identity.

1 If your LifeLock plan includes credit reports, scores, and/or credit monitoring features (“Credit Features”), two requirements must be met to receive said features: (i) your identity must be successfully verified with Equifax; and (ii) Equifax must be able to locate your credit file and it must contain sufficient credit history information. IF EITHER OF THE FOREGOING REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT MET YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CREDIT FEATURES FROM ANY BUREAU. If your plan also includes Credit Features from Experian and/or TransUnion, the above verification process must also be successfully completed with Experian and/or TransUnion, as applicable. If verification is successfully completed with Equifax, but not with Experian and/or TransUnion, as applicable, you will not receive Credit Features from such bureau(s) until the verification process is successfully completed and until then you will only receive Credit Features from Equifax. Any credit monitoring from Experian and TransUnion will take several days to begin after your successful LifeLock plan enrollment.

No one can prevent all identity theft.

* Terms Apply. Prices are for the first year only.

LifeLock does not monitor all transactions at all businesses.

††† Reimbursement and Expense Compensation, each with limits of up to $1 million for Ultimate Plus, up to $100,000 for Advantage and up to $25,000 for Standard. And up to $1 million for coverage for lawyers and experts if needed, for all plans. Benefits under the Master Policy are issued and covered by United Specialty Insurance Company (State National Insurance Company, Inc. for NY State members). Policy terms, conditions and exclusions at: LifeLock.com/legal.

‡‡ Phone alerts made during normal local business hours.

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