The cost of LifeLock
LifeLock’s usual price is $120 a year. Sometimes there’s even a promotion code available online that brings the cost of LifeLock down to $99 a year, and then they throw in an additional month for you and your kids, free. They’ll even set you up on a pay-by-the-month plan if that works better for you.
Most people would see that as a good value, considering all the service and protection that provides. Others call it a rip-off, and say that the services LifeLock provides—like credit reports or fraud alerts—can be had for free. And they’re correct, except for the key word “service.”
What LifeLock members pay for isn’t the credit report or the fraud alert; it’s the service of ordering the credit report for you. It’s the service of placing the fraud alerts, and then renewing them for you every 90 days. It’s the service of removing your name from junk mail and phone solicitation lists. And they do more than just those things.
What’s it worth to you?
You’ve probably known for years that you could do these things yourself at no cost. But have you done them yet? If you have, and if you continue to do them quarterly or annually as required, then LifeLock might not be a terrific deal for you. But if you haven’t done this stuff yet, or if you placed one fraud alert but never renewed it, you’re the kind of person who really benefits from these services.
In addition, LifeLock adds another service you can’t get anywhere else, free or otherwise. Lost you wallet? Purse stolen? Passport gone missing? If you’re a LifeLock member, just make a call and they’re on the job. All the documents you were carrying will be replaced, including professional licenses, driver’s licenses, Social Security cards, insurance cards, credit cards, bank cards, traveler’s checks, passports and visas.
Need more convincing about the value of a LifeLock plan? How about a $1 million total service guarantee that if somebody gets around LifeLock’s defenses and steals your identity, LifeLock will make things right for you.
That’s a lot of service. No, it’s not free…but it’s good.
