Identity Theft Protection in 2026: Services Compared for Peace of Mind
Identity theft cost Americans $5.8 billion in 2025, with the average victim losing $1,100 according to the Federal Trade Commission. The number keeps climbing as criminals get smarter about exploiting data breaches, social media oversharing, and AI-powered phishing attacks.
Your Social Security number, credit card details, and personal information are worth more on the dark web today than ever before. A complete identity profile sells for $200-$500, while medical records fetch up to $1,000 each.
The question isn't whether you need identity theft protection. It's which service actually delivers when criminals target your financial life.