How we put this together: we compared what each company publishes on its own website, and checked the details on November 5, 2026. We haven’t tested these products ourselves, and the links in this article aren’t affiliate links. Prices and plans change, so confirm them before you sign up. This is general information, not personal financial or tax advice.
Companies sell a range of credit monitoring and identity protection plans, but some of the strongest protection is free by law. Before you pay for anything, it helps to understand the difference between a tool that helps prevent fraud and one that tells you something has happened.
The quick comparison
| Tool | What it does | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Credit freeze | Limits access to your credit report, making it harder to open new credit in your name | Free by law |
| Fraud alert | Tells lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity | Free through the bureaus |
| Credit monitoring | Alerts you when your credit report changes | Free and paid versions |
| Free credit reports | Lets you check your own records for mistakes or fraud | Free weekly online |
Credit freezes
The CFPB says a freeze is free and is a right you have by law. If you ask by phone or online, the bureau must place it within one business day. When you need to apply for credit, you can lift the freeze temporarily for free, and a request made by phone or online takes effect within one hour.
You need to set up a freeze separately with each of the three bureaus, including Equifax and Experian, as well as TransUnion. Experian says a freeze stays in place until you remove it.
The tradeoff: you’ll need to remember to lift it before applying for a loan, credit card or other service that checks your credit. A freeze generally doesn’t affect your existing accounts or your credit score, but it won’t stop every kind of fraud, such as misuse of a card you already have.
Fraud alerts
A fraud alert is lighter than a freeze. The CFPB says an initial alert lasts up to one year, and Experian says an extended alert lasts seven years and requires proof of identity theft. Lenders are asked to take extra care to verify who’s applying, but an alert doesn’t block access to your report in the way a freeze does.
Credit monitoring
Monitoring tells you about changes such as a new account or inquiry. Experian offers free monitoring of its own report, while paid upgrades add coverage of all three bureaus, dark-web scanning and identity theft insurance.
The limit: monitoring generally alerts you after the activity has happened. It can help you act quickly, but it doesn’t stop an account from being opened in the way a freeze can.
When might paying make sense?
A paid plan may be worthwhile if you want a single place for alerts across all three bureaus, or you’d value hands-on recovery help and insurance. Before buying, ask yourself:
- What does it do that a freeze and free reports don’t?
- What exactly does the insurance cover, and what are the exclusions?
- What does it cost after any introductory period, and how easily can you cancel?
- If your data was exposed in a breach, has the company involved offered free monitoring?
A simple plan for most people
- Check your reports. You can get them free each week at AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Freeze your credit at all three bureaus if you don’t expect to apply for credit soon.
- Keep your login details safe, and note how to lift each freeze.
- Turn on free alerts from your bank and card providers.
- Dispute any errors. Our guide to how credit scores work explains how.
If you think someone has used your identity, contact the affected companies straight away, consider a freeze and fraud alert, and visit the federal government’s IdentityTheft.gov.
