×
A laptop on a yellow background with white drawings connecting a house, technology devices, money.

Protecting Yourself Online

2 Options for Identity Theft Protection

Protecting yourself and your identity online is important, especially for seniors as they are, unfortunately, prime targets for online scams. Aura and Identity Force are two companies that specialize in identity theft protection; it’s worth considering their products and services if you think you’re at risk online.

From dating app scams to people pretending to be family members, phishing emails and fake credit card applications, there are countless ways that people will try to steal your personal information and gain access to bank accounts, credit cards and more. It’s important to know what to look for when validating messages, and having protection in place for a worst case scenario.

Aura



Aura is a digital security and privacy company that was founded in 2018. They provide both individuals and businesses with online security services, protecting personal information and digital assets. They are well known for their identity theft protection, and offer three tiered plans:

  • Individual ($12/month): Protection for one adult, up to ten devices, $1 million in identity theft insurance and more.
  • Couple ($22/month): Protection for two adults, up to 20 devices, $2 million in identity theft insurance and more.
  • Family ($37/month): Protection for five adults and an unlimited number of children, up to 50 devices, $5 million in identity theft insurance and more.

Their services also include the following features, depending on what type of account you purchase:

  • Parental controls.
  • Cyberbullying alerts.
  • Password manager.
  • Privacy assistant.
  • Antivirus software.
  • Identity verification monitoring.
  • Bank fraud monitoring.
  • Annual credit reports.

Aura also offers resources for customers to learn more about digital security, the importance of protecting yourself online and how to spot scams and deal with them before they cause you harm.

IdentityForce

IdentityForce is a TransUnion brand that specializes in digital identity and privacy protection services. They’ve been operating since 1978 and over the years have garnered trust within their field, and throughout their customer base. Both personal and business plans are offered, depending on your needs.

Personal Plans

There are two plans available for individuals to purchase:

  • UltraSecure ($19.95/month): Monitors personal information 24/7, sends fraud alerts, up to $1 million for identity theft insurance and more. There is a 30-day trial period available for this plan.
  • UltraSecure+Credit ($23.95/month): This plan offers the same features as the one above, plus credit monitoring, reports and scores from three different credit bureaus.

These services also include the following features, depending on what plan you purchase:

  • Dark web monitoring.
  • Two-factor authentication.
  • Sex offender monitoring.
  • Advanced fraud monitoring.
  • Bank and credit card alerts.
  • Stolen fund replacement.
  • Password manager.

IdentityForce is a comprehensive identity theft provider that offers a wide range of services. You can also call their customer support line for additional information on family coverage and add-ons to ensure your plan meets your unique needs.

Types of Online Scams

Knowing how people will try to scam you or steal your identity is the first step in staying vigilant. Be on the lookout for these types of online scams to help protect yourself online.

  1. Dating Scams: Scammers will use dating apps and websites to get personal information and money from unsuspecting people. This is often referred to as catfishing. Never give personal information out online, and only send secure payments to people you know and trust.
  2. Phishing Emails: Many scammers will send emails that look like they’re from companies or government agencies, asking you to click on a link to verify your information or provide a payment for an overdue bill. These can be hard to identify because they look real. Pay attention to the sender’s information, and if in doubt, call your provider to verify the email you received.
  3. Vacation Fraud: This occurs when a scammer sets up a fake account for bookings, such as hotel rooms or tours. They will take your money and send a fake confirmation email, and the victim doesn’t find out until they arrive and realize it was all a set up. When booking vacations, use trusted sources for purchases such as a travel agent or verified website.