As we progress toward a more digital-based society, almost every aspect of life is being computerized. While there are many advantages associated with advanced technology, the increased emphasis on digitization comes with a genuine threat. Cybercrime has risen exponentially in recent decades.
It’s more important than ever that people protect their identity from criminals. With so much of our data now embedded in the online world, it’s virtually impossible to keep it safe without help from experts.
When choosing a security provider, you might find yourself comparing Complete ID vs. Identity Guard. The following guide can help you decide which one best suits your needs.
Complete ID vs. Identity Guard: Comparison
WHAT YOU GET | COMPLETE ID | IDENTITY GUARD |
---|---|---|
Coverage | ||
Core Security Services | ||
Insurance and Fund Reimbursement |
QUICK FACE-OFF
Similarities
Differences
Costco Complete ID Features and Services
In the digital age, identity protection requires comprehensive security measures. There are numerous ways that cybercriminals can exploit you by using your identity. It can be used in criminal activities, to make purchases, or it can be sold on the dark web for further exploitation.
Complete ID provides comprehensive surveillance and protection to prevent identity theft from occurring. Complete ID identity theft protection includes services such as dark web surveillance, SSN monitoring, neighborhood watch, criminal record monitoring, payday loan monitoring, child monitoring, and financial account takeover alerts.
Credit Monitoring
The greatest concern for most people regarding identity theft is the financial implications. Your credit report is a good indicator of identity theft because it should point out credit card or bank account fraud.
The Complete ID credit monitoring service allows users to access a financial dashboard and alerts them if there is any suspected account takeover fraud, synthetic identity fraud, debit or credit fraud, or SSN ID theft.
Your Equifax and TransUnion score is charted yearly, and your Experian score is updated every month using the VantageScore 3.0² scoring algorithm.
Restoration
If the worst-case scenario occurs, you’ll need help restoring your stolen information. Complete ID offers 24/7 support to help guide you through each step of the process.
Any suspicious activities or patterns will trigger a warning, and you’ll be sent an alert. By responding to the alert, you can work with the Complete ID team to combat any potential data breach.
Plans and Pricing
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse nec vestibulum turpis, ac gravida purus. Ut sagittis magna in ligula laoreet tincidunt. Sed et maximus nisi, quis suscipit urna. Mauris id volutpat mauris. Ut sagittis magna in ligula laoreet tincidunt. Sed et maximus nisi, quis suscipit urna. Mauris id volutpat mauris. Ut venenatis neque quis velit venenatis condimentum.
Executive Members Plan
The Executive Members plan costs $8.99 per person, per month.
Business and Gold Star Membership Plan
Business and Gold Star Membership is slightly more expensive, at $13.99 per person, per month.
Non-Costco Members Plan
As Complete ID is a Costco brand, non-members are charged a higher rate of $19.99 per person, per month.
If you’re after a Complete ID family plan, you can add up to 5 children to your membership account. For Executive Members, it costs $2.99 per child, per month. For Business and Gold Star Members, it costs $3.99 per child, per month.
All plans offer the same services that are outlined above.
Pros and Cons
PROS
CONS
Identity Guard Features and Services
Identity Protection
Identity Guard provides extensive security features to protect your increasingly vulnerable information. Identity Guard identity theft protection revolves around constant scanning, monitoring, surveillance, and 24/7 quick alerts.
Identity Guard uses theft protection powered by artificial intelligence from IBM, called Watson. If a threat is detected, you will be notified immediately via push notification from the Identity Guard app or email.
Depending on your chosen plan, you’ll receive notification for personal information detected on the dark web, high-risk transactions, personal threats, monthly credit score, bank account takeovers, requests to open accounts in your name, and 3 bureau credit reports.
Credit Monitoring
Identity Guard provides you with a credit score every month to help you understand and monitor your financial health. If an irregularity is detected, someone may be trying to access your bank or credit accounts.
The Identity Guard credit monitoring service gives you a unique score, separate from the ones issued by lenders and financial institutions. It is calculated using the information in your TransUnion credit file.
Restoration
Identity Guard offers up to $1,000,000 in insurance payouts if your identity and information are stolen. It will also assist you in recovering any information that is lost. This can be a grueling process that requires help from expert services.
Pricing and Plans
Value Plan
All Identity Guard plans have family and individual options. The Value Plan offers a basic identity protection package that includes risk management reporting, data breach notifications, dark web monitoring, and more. The Identity Guard family plan costs $12.50 per month, while the individual plan costs $7.50 per month.
Total Plan
The Total Plan package provides standard identity and credit protection. It offers more comprehensive security features and notifications, such as a monthly credit score, 3-bureau credit changes, and bank account takeovers. The individual plan is priced at $16.67 per month, and the family option is available for $25 per month.
Ultra Plan
As the package that provides the most security coverage, the Ultra Plan boasts additional benefits, including a 3-bureau credit report, social insight report, investment account monitoring, and more. It costs $25 per month for an individual and $33.33 per month for a family.
Pros and Cons
PROS
CONS
Conclusion
After comparing both security providers, it’s clear that Complete ID and Identity Guard offer similar comprehensive services. While Complete ID might be a viable option for Costco members, it charges a significantly higher price for non-members. What’s more, the extra cost includes no additional features.
Identity Guard delivers a service that excels in financial protection, which is an area prioritized by most customers. With Identity Guard, your checking, deposit, and investment accounts can be monitored and surveyed. The majority of people have savings, retirement funds, and day-to-day reserves stored in these accounts, so they must be protected.
The fast and reliable alert system operated by Identity Guard notifies you of any suspicious activity. Its high-risk alerts are designed to offer extra security on any significant transactions from your bank accounts.
The array of coverage choices provided by Identity Guard means that you can find a package suited to your specific needs. Each package comes with a family option, rather than the individual child addition requirements by Complete ID.
If you’re taking steps to ensure the safety of you and your family’s identity, Identity Guard is the provider to choose. Combat cybercrime and protect your livelihood for the long term by getting an Identity Guard package today.
Other Articles for You:
- LifeLock versus Costco
- Complete ID vs ProtectMyID: Check resolution support
- ID Watchdog vs LifeLock: Cheaper and more robust
- LifeLock vs Discover: Reports and scores
About the Author
Calvin Fellows is a former military security agent and police detective who headed security administration. Calvin is experienced and knowledgeable in all avenues of personal and corporate security, and is dedicated to educating people on how to preempt any physical or cyber security attacks before they happen.