IdentityForce review: our verdict

This IdentityForce review covers the identity theft protection service owned by TransUnion, one of the three major US credit bureaus. IdentityForce watches a wide range of sources for signs that someone is using your personal information: dark web markets, change of address requests, court records, payday loan applications, Social Security number activity, and, on its higher plan, your credit files at all three bureaus. If something goes wrong, a dedicated restoration specialist works the case and reimbursement cover helps with losses and expenses.

Our assessment is that IdentityForce is one of the most thorough monitoring services available, which is why it earns its place in our ranking for monitoring depth. It is not the cheapest, its basic plan leaves out credit monitoring entirely, and its apps draw mixed reviews. This is an editorial assessment based on IdentityForce's plan and support pages, guidance from the Federal Trade Commission and independent reviews; NerdBible did not run its own hands-on trial. IdentityForce's live site blocks automated access, so its plan and feature pages were read through Wayback Machine copies captured a few months ago, which we link below.

What IdentityForce is and who it is for

IdentityForce is a subscription service that monitors for identity theft, alerts you, and helps you recover. Its pages carry TransUnion's copyright, and Tom's Guide notes that several security suites use IdentityForce behind the scenes for their own identity protection features.

It suits people who want the widest net of alerts in one dashboard, households that want to cover two adults and their children on a single plan, and anyone who values having the monitoring come straight from a credit bureau. It is less suited to people on a tight budget, and to those who would be content with a free credit freeze and regular checks of their own credit reports.

Key features

Identity and fraud monitoring

IdentityForce's monitoring page lists a long set of watches. Advanced Fraud Monitoring alerts you when lenders such as banks, car dealers and mortgage companies request a copy of your credit report. Change of address monitoring flags attempts to reroute your mail. The service searches criminal, court and public records, sex offender registries, payday loan activity and dark web sources, and its Social Security number tracker alerts you if an unfamiliar name, alias or address becomes linked to your number.

Bank, card and investment account alerts

You can link bank and credit card accounts and receive alerts when a charge, withdrawal or balance transfer goes over a threshold you set, with similar alerts for 401(k) and brokerage accounts. Tom's Guide points out that this works by entering your online banking credentials into IdentityForce, which some people will be reluctant to do.

Credit monitoring on the higher plan

UltraSecure+Credit adds daily TransUnion credit reports and scores, three-bureau credit monitoring and alerts covering TransUnion, Experian and Equifax, and quarterly three-bureau reports, according to the plans page. Scores use the VantageScore 3.0 model, and IdentityForce notes that lenders may use different scores. Tom's Guide and CNET both praise the credit score simulator on this plan.

Social media and family monitoring

IdentityForce can watch linked Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram accounts for posts that look violent, profane, bullying or discriminatory. Family plans add child credit activity monitoring for up to ten children, with alerts going to the parent's dashboard.

Extras

Plans include a personalised identity safety score and action plan based on your breach history, risk scores for dark web hits on the higher plan, online PC protection, and phishing and botnet monitoring on UltraSecure+Credit. CNET and TechRadar also list a VPN and password manager among the extras, and Tom's Guide notes the VPN only works through the mobile app.

Recovery and reimbursement

If your identity is stolen, IdentityForce's recovery page says a dedicated restoration specialist takes the case, and that the case stays open until both you and the specialist agree it is resolved; it is reopened if the same fraud returns while your membership is active. Lost wallet assistance helps cancel and replace cards. IdentityForce says it will reimburse stolen money up to $2 million on UltraSecure+Credit plans or $1 million on UltraSecure plans, with coverage varying in New York. Tom's Guide reports the policy is underwritten by Lloyd's, has no deductible, and can cover expenses such as replacing documents and lost wages.

How much does IdentityForce cost? Plans and pricing structure

IdentityForce sells two tiers, each for an individual or a family. Our page shows current prices.

  • UltraSecure: identity, fraud, dark web and account monitoring, restoration and up to $1 million reimbursement, but no credit monitoring.
  • UltraSecure+Credit: everything above plus three-bureau credit monitoring, reports and scores, and up to $2 million reimbursement.
  • Family versions: reviewers report the family plans cover two adults and children, with child credit monitoring capped at ten children.
  • Billing: monthly or annual, with a saving for paying yearly.
  • Trial: the plans page advertises a 30-day trial, after which billing starts unless you cancel. CNET reports the trial applies to UltraSecure rather than the credit plan.
  • Cancellation: you can cancel online or by phone, and IdentityForce says purchases receive a pro-rated refund for unused service.

Credit services only start once you verify your identity; IdentityForce notes that simply creating an account does not activate them.

Is IdentityForce safe and legitimate?

IdentityForce is a legitimate service run under TransUnion. Its mobile app support page says the app uses two-factor authentication, Touch ID and facial recognition, and that member services are available around the clock, with restoration specialists available seven days a week during set hours. Security.org also praised the mandatory passcode at sign-in.

Keep the limits of any monitoring service in mind. The FTC's guide to identity theft protection services explains that credit monitoring will not alert you when money is taken from a bank account or when someone files a tax return in your name, and that most identity monitoring will not catch misuse of government benefits. The FTC also points out that you can place a credit freeze at each bureau for free, and that a freeze stops new credit accounts being opened in your name. A paid service adds convenience, alerts and recovery help; it does not replace those free steps.

What could be better

  • Credit monitoring costs extra. CNET says the lack of bureau monitoring on the base plan is a big reason IdentityForce did not rank higher on its list.
  • Price. TechRadar and CNET both note cheaper rivals for budget buyers.
  • Apps. Security.org found the iPhone app buggy with some features missing.
  • Setup. Tom's Guide needed two calls to support to finish setting up its account, and found the VPN limited to mobile and no malware protection.
  • Coverage gaps. Tom's Guide notes neither plan includes home title monitoring.

Who should choose something else

If you mainly want low-cost cover with strong recovery help and do not need credit monitoring, a budget service such as Zander costs considerably less. If you want antivirus, a full VPN and identity protection in one bundle, an all-in-one suite such as Aura or Norton with LifeLock may suit you better. And if you are comfortable doing the work yourself, a free credit freeze at all three bureaus plus regular checks of your free credit reports covers the most common risk at no cost.

What other reviewers found

  • Tom's Guide praised IdentityForce's detailed defences, credit simulator and one-click TransUnion freeze, but marked it down for the missing malware protection and a VPN that only works on mobile.
  • CNET called it a strong value pick, especially for families who want to cover several children, while criticising the base plan for leaving out credit monitoring.
  • Security.org found its monitoring among the most comprehensive available, but described the iPhone app as mediocre and somewhat buggy.
  • TechRadar described a robust service with a useful personal identity safety score and a restoration process it liked, with pricing above some rivals as the main drawback.

Where they agree: all four outlets rate IdentityForce's breadth of monitoring very highly and agree that the full value sits in the UltraSecure+Credit plan.

Where they differ: CNET frames IdentityForce as good value, while TechRadar sees it as pricier than rivals; the difference largely comes down to which plan and family size each outlet compared. Views of the apps also vary: TechRadar found alerts and credit tools easy to reach in the mobile app, while Security.org found the iPhone version buggy.

What that means for you: if you want IdentityForce, the credit plan is the one to consider, and families get the most for their money. If you would only buy the base plan, compare it against cheaper services first.

Is IdentityForce worth it? Bottom line

IdentityForce offers some of the deepest identity and credit monitoring on the market, backed by a major credit bureau and a recovery process that stays open until you are satisfied. It costs more than budget options and keeps credit monitoring for its higher tier, so it makes most sense for people who want maximum visibility and will use the alerts. Pair it with a free credit freeze for the strongest protection.

Frequently asked questions

Who owns IdentityForce?

IdentityForce is part of TransUnion, one of the three national credit bureaus in the US, and its website carries TransUnion's copyright. Reviewers note that this gives it direct access to TransUnion credit data, which powers the daily TransUnion credit reports and scores on the UltraSecure+Credit plan. Some antivirus companies also use IdentityForce to provide the identity protection in their own security suites.

Does IdentityForce include credit monitoring?

Only on the higher tier. UltraSecure+Credit includes three-bureau credit monitoring and alerts, daily TransUnion reports and scores, and quarterly reports from all three bureaus. The base UltraSecure plan does not monitor your credit files, although it still includes fraud alerts when lenders request your credit report, dark web and Social Security number monitoring, and bank and card activity alerts.

How much identity theft insurance does IdentityForce provide?

IdentityForce says it reimburses stolen funds up to $1 million on UltraSecure plans and up to $2 million on UltraSecure+Credit plans, and that coverage varies in New York. Tom's Guide reports the cover is underwritten by Lloyd's with no deductible and can include expenses such as replacing documents and lost wages. Read the policy terms for exact limits and exclusions before relying on it.

Does IdentityForce have a free trial?

IdentityForce advertises a 30-day trial, after which you are billed monthly or annually unless you cancel before it ends. CNET reports the trial is offered on the UltraSecure plans rather than the credit plan. If you cancel a paid membership later, IdentityForce says it ends immediately and that you receive a pro-rated refund for the unused part of your subscription.

Is an identity theft protection service worth paying for?

It depends on how much monitoring you want done for you. The FTC notes you can freeze your credit and check your credit reports for free, and that monitoring services cannot catch every kind of fraud. A service like IdentityForce adds wider alerts, a single dashboard and hands-on recovery help. For many people the best approach combines a free freeze with paid monitoring.

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