Start Building Your Child’s Credit
Identity theft is a serious issue, and services that help monitor for fraud and protect your identity can provide valuable peace of mind. IdentityForce and LifeLock are two of the most well-known identity protection companies offering similar yet distinct services. This article will provide a detailed comparison of IdentityForce vs. LifeLock, highlighting the differences in their pricing and features to help you determine which service may be the best fit for your needs.
LifeLock vs. IdentityForce—An Overview
IdentityForce and LifeLock are two prominent identity theft protection companies that offer comprehensive services to help individuals safeguard their personal information and financial well-being. IdentityForce is owned by EZShield, a company that specializes in monitoring and protecting personal and financial data. To do so, IdentityForce provides features like credit monitoring, identity theft recovery assistance, medical ID fraud protection, and dark web monitoring.
LifeLock is owned by NortonLifeLock Inc., a global leader in consumer cyber safety. LifeLock is renowned for its identity theft protection services, including identity monitoring, credit monitoring, and alerts in case of suspicious activity. LifeLock also emphasizes its commitment to helping customers recover from identity theft by offering identity theft insurance and assistance in the event of a stolen identity.
Comparing Features—Which Service Offers More?
The features offered by IdentityForce and LifeLock are quite similar, as both companies specialize in identity theft protection services. However, the specific details of their offerings may vary, and you may find one service more suitable than the other depending on your preferences. Here’s a comparison of these services based on the following aspects:
- Credit monitoring
- Threat resolution
- Identity theft insurance
- Additional services
- Pricing and plans
Credit Monitoring
Both IdentityForce and LifeLock offer robust credit monitoring services—they keep an eye on your credit reports and alert you to any suspicious activity, such as new account openings, credit inquiries, or changes in your credit score. However, IdentityForce only includes credit monitoring on its most expensive plan, while LifeLock gives you this feature no matter which plan you choose.
Given how helpful credit monitoring is for catching fraud early, it’s disappointing that IdentityForce makes you pay extra for this basic protection. Another difference is that LifeLock will help you freeze your credit if needed, whereas you can’t expect the same from IdentityForce. In these terms, LifeLock seems more full-featured, even at the lower price points.
Threat Resolution
Both services provide assistance in the event of identity theft, helping you resolve issues related to fraudulent activity on your accounts or stolen personal information. LifeLock strongly emphasizes this aspect by offering 24/7 customer support and a dedicated team of experts to help with resolution. IdentityForce also offers identity theft recovery assistance, including customer support and a white glove restoration service, which is more comprehensive than LifeLock’s threat resolution services.
Identity Theft Insurance
Both IdentityForce and LifeLock offer identity theft insurance with coverage of up to $1 million, which includes various expenses associated with recovering your identity. This insurance can help reimburse you for various costs related to identity theft, such as legal fees, lost wages, and other expenses incurred during the identity theft recovery process. IdentityForce includes identity theft insurance in all its plans, while LifeLock offers the $1 million coverage only on the Advantage plan.
For stolen fund reimbursement, LifeLock offers coverage ranging from $25,000 to $1 million, depending on the subscription tier you choose. IdentityForce also provides stolen fund reimbursement of up to $1 million—the exact amount of coverage you receive depends on the pricing tier you choose.
Additional Services
IdentityForce and LifeLock both offer services beyond the basic features. LifeLock provides a range of additional services, including the option to add the full Norton 360 antivirus suite to your subscription. This option provides comprehensive protection against various online threats, including:
- Viruses
- Malware
- Phishing attacks
Additionally, LifeLock offers a virtual private network (VPN) service, which can help secure your online activities and protect your privacy while browsing the internet. It also provides a password manager to help you securely store and manage your passwords and parental controls for safeguarding your family’s online experience. In its highest-tier plan, LifeLock Ultimate Plus, you can also get title monitoring, which helps protect against home title fraud.
IdentityForce also offers a VPN as part of some of its subscription plans to help secure your internet connection and protect your online privacy. While it may not offer the same range of additional services as LifeLock, IdentityForce still places a strong emphasis on online identity theft protection and monitoring, including features like dark web monitoring and social media monitoring.
Pricing and Plans
The pricing and plans offered by IdentityForce and LifeLock can vary, as both services offer multiple tiers with different features and price points to choose from. The cost of their services depends on factors like the level of protection, the number of individuals covered, and additional features. It’s essential to compare their current plans, as pricing can change over time and may include promotional offers.
IdentityForce currently offers two pricing tiers:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Price |
| UltraSecure | $17.99 | $179.90 |
| UltraSecure+Credit | $23.99 | $239.90 |
LifeLock has more complex pricing tiers compared to IdentityForce. Here’s a breakdown:
| LifeLock Plan | Individual | Family (Two Adults) | Family (Two Adults and Five Children) |
| Standard | $11.99/month | $23.99/month | $35.99/month |
| Advantage | $22.99/month | $45.99/month | $57.99/month |
| Unlimited Plus | $34.99/month | $69.99/month | $79.99/month |
In addition to the difference in pricing structures, IdentityForce and LifeLock have different pricing policies as well. While LifeLock offers a money-back guarantee that allows customers to request a refund if they’re not satisfied with the service, IdentityForce doesn’t provide a similar guarantee. Additionally, it’s important to note that LifeLock’s pricing plans tend to increase after the first year of subscription.
Which Identity Protection Service Should You Choose?
Both IdentityForce and LifeLock offer robust protection against identity theft, but they also have drawbacks. For example, IdentityForce lacks a money-back guarantee, which can be a concern for those seeking a risk-free trial. Meanwhile, LifeLock’s pricing plans tend to increase significantly after the first year, potentially leading to higher costs in the long run.
If you’re seeking a better alternative for these services, you should consider FreeKick. Backed by Austin Capital Bank, FreeKick offers a pocket-friendly solution with features like Social Security number (SSN) monitoring, identity theft recovery assistance, and dark web monitoring. It also provides identity theft insurance coverage, ensuring financial protection in the event of theft. What sets FreeKick apart is its transparent pricing structure, which doesn’t come with surprise price hikes after the first year.
Never Fall Victim to Identity Theft With FreeKick
With a child’s identity being stolen every 30 seconds, this crime is more common than you might think—and it’s important to take every precaution you can. That’s where FreeKick by Austin Capital Bank comes in—it’s a two-in-one platform that protects your family’s identities and helps build credit for your children.
How FreeKick Protects Identity
FreeKick offers multiple identity protection features for both adults and minors. For you and your adult children, FreeKick offers the following services:
- Credit profile monitoring
- SSN monitoring
- Dark web monitoring for personal information
- Up to $1 million identity theft insurance
- Full-service white-glove concierge credit restoration
- Lost wallet protection
- Court records monitoring
- Change of address monitoring
- Non-credit (Payday) loan monitoring
- Free FICO® Score monthly
- FICO® Score factors
- Experian credit report monthly
For minor children, FreeKick offers:
- Credit profile monitoring
- Social Security number (SSN) monitoring
- Dark web monitoring for children’s personal information
- Up to $1 million identity theft insurance
- Full-service white-glove concierge credit restoration
- Sex offender monitoring—based on sponsor parent’s address
How FreeKick Builds Credit
Once you’ve secured your family’s identities, it’s time to think about their financial future.
With FreeKick’s credit building service, which is available for children aged 13 to 25, you can give your child up to five years of credit history once they turn 18. This will help them save $200,000 during their lifetimes by giving them access to more favorable loan terms and other financial perks.
You have to take three steps:
- Create an Account—Go to FreeKick.bank, sign up for an account, and choose a deposit amount you’re comfortable with
- Set It and Forget It—FreeKick will automatically start building 12 months’ worth of credit history for your children
- Keep Growing—After 12 months, you can close the account without any fees or continue building credit for your family for another year
FreeKick Pricing
FreeKick offers flexible pricing. There are two plans you can choose from:
| FDIC-Insured Deposit | Annual Fee |
| $3,000 | $0 (Free) |
| No deposit | $149 |
Each plan offers:
- Credit building for six children aged 13 to 25
- Identity protection for two parents and six children aged 0 to 25
Protect your family from identity theft and financial hardship—sign up for FreeKick today.
Freekick provides a double dose of financial empowerment and security for your whole family. It helps teens and young adults build strong credit profiles and offers identity motoring for up to two adult parents and six children under 25.
