Do You Need LifeLock? Your Free Identity Rights Under the FCRA
LifeLock charges monthly for protection the law already gives you free. Here's how the two compare before you subscribe.
What does LifeLock actually sell?
LifeLock (now owned by NortonLifeLock) markets itself as a shield against identity theft. Plans run roughly $90 to $350 or more per year depending on the tier. The pitch is simple: pay us every month and we will watch your credit, alert you if something looks wrong, and help clean up the mess if a thief gets through.
That sounds reassuring. But here is what most people do not realize: nearly everything LifeLock charges for is already yours for free under federal law. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and related statutes give consumers powerful protections — no subscription required.
A word about LifeLock's track record
In 2010 the Federal Trade Commission fined LifeLock $12 million for making false claims about its protection. Then in 2015, the FTC fined LifeLock an additional $100 million — one of the largest FTC enforcement actions ever — because the company had continued making deceptive claims about how well it actually protected customers, even after the first settlement.
That history matters. Before you pay a monthly fee, it is worth asking whether the protection you are buying is as strong as advertised.
What LifeLock charges for — and what you already have free
| LifeLock charges for it | You get it free under the FCRA |
|---|---|
| Credit monitoring alerts (after-the-fact) | Free fraud alert — FCRA § 1681c-1 — requires bureaus to flag your file for 1 year |
| "Lost wallet" protection | Call your issuers directly — free, no subscription needed |
| Identity theft insurance ($1M coverage) | FCRA actual damages, punitive damages, and attorneys' fees — paid by the violator |
| "Remediation" assistance if theft occurs | IdentityTheft.gov (FTC) — free step-by-step recovery plan with pre-filled letters |
| Credit freeze assistance | Free credit freeze at all three bureaus — federal law since Sept. 21, 2018 |
| Three-bureau credit monitoring | Free weekly reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com |
| Blocking fraudulent accounts on your report | Free block of identity-theft information — FCRA § 1681c-2 (4-business-day requirement) |
The free credit freeze: stronger than any monitoring plan
The single most powerful tool for stopping identity theft is a credit freeze — and it has been completely free since September 21, 2018, when federal law changed. A freeze locks your credit file at each bureau so that no one can open a new account in your name. Lenders simply cannot pull your report, which stops new-account fraud cold.
Monitoring, by contrast, only tells you after a new account has already been opened. You get an alert. The damage is done. A freeze prevents the account from being opened in the first place.
Freezes are free for everyone — including children under 16. Bureaus must place or lift a freeze within one business day of your request by phone or online.
Free fraud alerts (FCRA § 1681c-1)
If you believe you may be a victim of identity theft, you can place a one-year fraud alert on your credit file — free — and the bureau that receives it must notify the other two. During the alert, lenders must take extra steps to verify your identity before opening new credit. Extended alerts (7 years) are available if you have filed an identity theft report with the FTC.
Free weekly credit reports
You are entitled to a free report from each of the three major bureaus every week at AnnualCreditReport.com— the only federally authorized free-report site. Pulling your own report does not affect your credit score. Reviewing your reports regularly is just as effective as paid monitoring for spotting unfamiliar accounts.
Free block of identity-theft information (FCRA § 1681c-2)
If someone opened fraudulent accounts in your name, the FCRA gives you the right to block that information from your credit report. With an FTC Identity Theft Report, bureaus are required to block fraudulent tradelines within four business days of your request — free. No subscription needed.
Bottom line
A free credit freeze at all three bureaus, combined with free fraud alerts and free weekly reports at AnnualCreditReport.com, gives most people stronger protection than any paid subscription — because it actually blocks new accounts instead of just alerting you afterward. The FCRA built these rights for everyone, not just subscribers. Before you pay $8–$30 a month for LifeLock, use what the law already gave you.
To learn more about all the rights the FCRA gives you at no cost, see our guide: Your FCRA Rights — for Free.
Dealing with identity theft or credit errors?
If someone has already opened fraudulent accounts in your name — or if a bureau is refusing to correct your report — our FCRA attorneys can help. Contact us to discuss your situation.
Contact an FCRA attorneyThis page provides general information only and is not legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this page.