To determine which credit monitoring services are the best, CNBC Select analyzed and compared 12 services that offer a variety of free and premium plans that provide different levels of credit protection based on the features mentioned above.

Learn more about our methodology. While these services can alert you of changes to your credit file and help you fix any errors, it's important to understand what credit monitoring can and can't do. You still have to be proactive in taking steps to prevent identity theft.

Below, CNBC Select reviews the top six credit monitoring services that can help you keep track of your credit and get alerts on potential fraud. If you're not willing to pay money for a credit monitoring service, you can consider one of these free options.

While there are many benefits to signing up for a free service, including regular credit score updates, you won't have access to triple-bureau credit monitoring and identity theft insurance, among other premium perks.

Who's this for? CreditWise® from Capital One is a free credit monitoring service that doesn't require you to enter a credit card number to sign up and provides a great range of features. Plus it's open to anyone — regardless of whether you're a Capital One cardholder.

If you're a Capital One customer, CreditWise features are integrated into the Capital One mobile app, so there's no need to also download the CreditWise app. Consumers receive an updated VantageScore credit score from TransUnion every week and credit report updates from TransUnion and Experian in real time.

Unlike other free services, CreditWise stands out by offering dark web scanning and social security number tracking. As an added tool, you can use the credit score simulator to check the potential effect that certain actions, such as paying off debt or closing a credit card, may have on your credit score.

With this service, you'll receive real-time alerts about new inquiries and accounts opened in your name, changes to your personal information and suspicious activity detected on your Experian credit report. Plus users get an updated Experian credit report and FICO credit score every 30 days.

Unlike CreditWise, Experian's free service doesn't offer regular dark web scans, which is the primary reason it ranks No. However, upon sign-up you receive a one-time dark web surveillance report that searches over , web pages for your social security number, email or phone number.

If you want a more comprehensive credit monitoring plan, consider one of the paid plans below. Click "Learn More" for details. Terms apply. To learn more about IdentityForce®, visit their website. Consumers receive alerts for potential fraud on your bank, credit card and investment accounts, as well as the use of your medical ID, social security number and address.

This plan provides the added benefit of three-bureau credit monitoring and credit score updates. You can also track how your score changes over time and simulate how certain actions can impact your score though you can do this with some free services, like CreditWise.

Total Protection and Credit Protection plans both monitor your Experian, Equifax and TransUnion credit reports; Identity Protection doesn't offer credit monitoring. Then the fee depends on the service you choose. This plan doesn't monitor your credit report. Take note that this plan doesn't offer public and dark web scanning or identity theft insurance.

The description herein is a summary and intended for informational purposes only and does not include all terms, conditions and exclusions of the policies described. Please refer to the actual policies for terms, conditions, and exclusions of coverage.

Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions. These plans — which cover one or two adults and up to 10 children — are the most holistic for keeping track of your family's credit. The Plus plan only offers credit monitoring for your Experian credit report.

Don't miss: Should you pay for Experian credit monitoring? Here's how the free and paid plans compare. All plans offer access to 28 versions of your FICO score, including scores for credit cards, mortgages and auto loans.

The main differences between the plans are the number of credit reports monitored and what activities are tracked.

Meanwhile, Advanced and Premier both review reports from all three bureaus and monitor everything included with Basic, plus some additional factors, depending on the credit bureau. These include changes to the name on your credit report Equifax report only , new employment listed TransUnion report only and fraud alert placed TransUnion report only.

The three-bureau coverage is what makes the more expensive plans worthwhile, in addition to identity-monitoring protection that detects threats to your personal information, such as social security number and bank account numbers, on the dark web. And if you're deciding between Advanced and Premier, the main difference is the frequency your credit reports update quarterly versus monthly, respectively.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit monitoring service review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit monitoring products.

While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best credit monitoring services. To determine which credit monitoring services offer the most benefits to consumers, CNBC Select analyzed and compared 12 services that offer a variety of free and paid plans.

When ranking the best free credit monitoring services, we focused on the following features:. When ranking the best paid credit monitoring services, we focused on the following features:. Keep in mind that credit monitoring services can only alert you of changes to your credit file, not fix or prevent any errors.

You've been a victim of ID theft, and you've completed an FTC Identity Theft Report or police report. An extended fraud alert is free, lasts for seven years, and removes you from credit card and insurance offers for five years. An active duty alert is free, lasts for one year, and removes you from credit card and insurance offers for two years.

Visit Customer Care to learn how to submit requests by phone or mail. Please note: In order to place a fraud alert, you will need to have an active Equifax credit report on file.

A fraud alert is a notice on your credit report that alerts creditors you are or may be a victim of fraud, including identity theft.

A fraud alert can make it harder for someone to open unauthorized accounts in your name. It encourages or requires lenders and creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity, such as contacting you by phone, before opening a new credit account in your name or making changes to existing accounts.

You can contact any of the three nationwide credit bureaus to request a fraud alert. Once you have placed a fraud alert on your credit report with one of the bureaus, that bureau will send a request to the other two bureaus to do the same, so you do not have to contact all three.

To place an initial one-year fraud alert, create or sign in to a myEquifax account, or call our automated line at You can also place an initial fraud alert by mail by downloading and following the instructions on the Alert Request form.

To place an extended seven-year fraud alert, download and follow the instructions on the Extended Fraud Alert Request form. An active duty alert is available for service members on active military duty who want to help minimize their risk of fraud or identity theft while deployed.

An active duty alert is similar to initial fraud alerts; they can make it harder for someone to open unauthorized accounts in your name. It encourages lenders and creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity, such as contacting you by phone, before taking certain actions, such as opening a new credit account in your name or increasing your credit limit.

An active duty alert is free and lasts for one year, and your name is removed from pre-screened credit card and insurance offers for two years. You can contact any of the three nationwide credit bureaus to request an active duty alert.

Once you have placed an active duty alert on your credit report with one of the bureaus, that bureau will send a request to the other two bureaus to do the same, so you do not have to contact all three. To place an active duty alert, create or sign in to a myEquifax account, or call our automated line at You can also place an active duty alert by mail by downloading and following the instructions on the Alert Request form.

A fraud alert is a notice that is placed on your credit report that alerts credit card companies and others who may extend you credit that you may have been a victim of fraud, including identity theft.

You may contact any of the three nationwide credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to request a fraud alert. Once you place an alert with one of the bureaus, that bureau will send your request to the other two bureaus.

If you are on active military duty and want to help minimize your risk of fraud or identity theft while you are deployed, an active duty alert is available to you. The active duty alert is similar to an initial fraud alert: it also lasts a year, and companies must take reasonable steps to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name or modifying existing ones.

A credit report lock and a security freeze both generally prevent access to your Equifax credit report to open new credit accounts. Because these functions have the same impact, you cannot add both a freeze and a lock to your Equifax credit report.

See more about exceptions below. Placing a security freeze on your Equifax credit report will prevent access to it by certain third parties. Freezing your Equifax credit report will not prevent access to your credit report at any other credit reporting agency.

Exceptions: Locking or freezing your Equifax credit report will prevent access to it by certain third parties. Locking or freezing your Equifax credit report will not prevent access to your credit report at any other credit bureau.

Entities that may still have access to your Equifax credit report include:. Consumers that prefer not to receive such offers should visit www. com , or call toll free at OPT OUT or Consumers may also send an opt-out request in writing to Equifax Information Services LLC, P.

Box , Atlanta, GA Consumers should include their complete name, full address, Social Security number, and signature. Home Equifax Consumer Services Center PLACE AN ALERT.

How it works. Choose the alert that's right for you: initial, extended, or active duty military. Which type of alert might make sense for you? Initial Fraud Alert.

Stay on top of your credit with daily alerts when key changes occur, detect possible identity fraud sooner, and get notified when your score changes Credit Karma's free ID monitoring tool can help you spot potential identity fraud. If your information has been exposed in a data breach, Credit Karma may alert Credit monitoring alerts can help you stay on top of changes to your credit file and alert you of potential fraud. Here are the top five free services

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Credit Karma's free ID monitoring tool can help you spot potential identity fraud. If your information has been exposed in a data breach, Credit Karma may alert There are two types of fraud alerts you can place on your credit report, and both are free. Initial fraud alert - If you believe you are or may become a victim Stay on top of your credit with daily alerts when key changes occur, detect possible identity fraud sooner, and get notified when your score changes: Alerts for potential credit score impact

Banking services provided by CFSB, Loan refinancing terms FDIC. What Aletrs read xcore. Stop you from getting potdntial emails. Loan refinance application requirements checklist to Remove a Fraud Alert If you place a fraud alert on loan refinancing terms ptential report potentiap then decide for any reason that you no longer need it, you can remove it easily at the Experian Fraud Alert Center. You can lift a fraud alert the same way you place it, by contacting one of the credit bureaus. Posts reflect Experian policy at the time of writing. Credit monitoring offers alerts that warn or flag changes or unusual activities on the credit report.	We found that the majority of free services use VantageScore. Choice Home Warranty. So if your credit meets the loan requirements, the retailer or credit issuer will ultimately approve your application, but the process won't be instant. When you want to open a new account, you can unfreeze your credit and allow lenders to see your credit report. Education center Credit cards Credit scores. The 3-bureau FICO Score Simulator is only available from myFICO! At Equifax, you can manage your freeze online with your username and password after creating a myEquifax account.	Stay on top of your credit with daily alerts when key changes occur, detect possible identity fraud sooner, and get notified when your score changes Credit Karma's free ID monitoring tool can help you spot potential identity fraud. If your information has been exposed in a data breach, Credit Karma may alert Credit monitoring alerts can help you stay on top of changes to your credit file and alert you of potential fraud. Here are the top five free services	You can access this by logging into Credit Journey and clicking the “Alerts" tab. What is a credit monitoring service? With our credit report monitoring through With every credit monitoring alert, we include your current FICO Score (version 8). Score monitoring helps you see how credit changes affect your score. With Credit Karma's free ID monitoring tool can help you spot potential identity fraud. If your information has been exposed in a data breach, Credit Karma may alert	Placing a fraud alert does not affect your credit scores. It alerts creditors that you may have been a victim of fraud and encourages them to take extra steps We'll show you the improvement potential for Experian, Transunion and Equifax scores There are two types of fraud alerts you can place on your credit report, and both are free. Initial fraud alert - If you believe you are or may become a victim
All sclre, including rates and fees, are accurate as of the date of loan refinancing terms Manufacturing equipment financing are updated jmpact provided by our partners. When ranking Debt negotiation template best free credit monitoring dor, we focused on the following features:. While there are many benefits to signing up for a free service, including regular credit score updates, you won't have access to triple-bureau credit monitoring and identity theft insurance, among other premium perks. FICO Scores :. Why You Should Avoid Buying Tradelines. CFG: Translation Menu Español Report Fraud Read Consumer Alerts Get Consumer Alerts Visit ftc. ø Results will vary.	Visit Knowledge Center. New account opening: Opening a new line of credit can impact your credit usage, total balances and available credit. If you receive a suspicious message, don't open it and report it to your email provider. After one year, you can renew the fraud alert if you wish. Advertiser Disclosure We think it's important for you to understand how we make money.	Stay on top of your credit with daily alerts when key changes occur, detect possible identity fraud sooner, and get notified when your score changes Credit Karma's free ID monitoring tool can help you spot potential identity fraud. If your information has been exposed in a data breach, Credit Karma may alert Credit monitoring alerts can help you stay on top of changes to your credit file and alert you of potential fraud. Here are the top five free services	Fraud alerts are messages that you can add to your credit report from each major credit bureau (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) indicating With every credit monitoring alert, we include your current FICO Score (version 8). Score monitoring helps you see how credit changes affect your score. With These alterations to your credit report could impact your credit scores. But by receiving alerts of new credit report changes, you can take fast	Stay on top of your credit with daily alerts when key changes occur, detect possible identity fraud sooner, and get notified when your score changes Credit Karma's free ID monitoring tool can help you spot potential identity fraud. If your information has been exposed in a data breach, Credit Karma may alert Credit monitoring alerts can help you stay on top of changes to your credit file and alert you of potential fraud. Here are the top five free services
A fraud dcore Alerts for potential credit score impact pktential warning AAlerts Debt negotiation template your credit Access to Mortgage Refinancing that tells potential lenders to contact credlt — typically with cgedit phone call — and verify your identity before extending new credit. Fraud alert: This basic type of alert is available to any consumer. Have you been a victim of identity theft? With access to credit monitoring, you can stay informed of any changes with an updated report every 30 days. Best overall free service: CreditWise® from Capital One Runner-up: Experian free credit monitoring. How to place a fraud alert. Credit Card Marketplace.	There are numerous ways someone can commit credit card fraud or identity theft, but there are actions you can take to protect your information. It alerts creditors that you may have been a victim of fraud and encourages them to take extra steps, such as contacting you at a phone number you provide, to verify your identity before extending credit in your name. What is a fraud alert? Credit Monitoring :. UFB Secure Savings. Pros Score Goals lets you set a desired credit score and get personalized recommendations on the best ways to improve it Has a credit score simulator.	Stay on top of your credit with daily alerts when key changes occur, detect possible identity fraud sooner, and get notified when your score changes Credit Karma's free ID monitoring tool can help you spot potential identity fraud. If your information has been exposed in a data breach, Credit Karma may alert Credit monitoring alerts can help you stay on top of changes to your credit file and alert you of potential fraud. Here are the top five free services	With every credit monitoring alert, we include your current FICO Score (version 8). Score monitoring helps you see how credit changes affect your score. With Are you a victim of fraud? Activate TransUnion Fraud Alerts to alert creditors and other credit bureaus that you may be a victim of identity theft or fraud A fraud alert does not have any impact on a consumer's credit rating. A fraud alert notifies potential creditors and lenders that you've been	Are you a victim of fraud? Activate TransUnion Fraud Alerts to alert creditors and other credit bureaus that you may be a victim of identity theft or fraud Missing Credit freezes and fraud alerts can protect you from identity theft or prevent further misuse of your personal information if it was stolen

Alerts for potential credit score impact - There are two types of fraud alerts you can place on your credit report, and both are free. Initial fraud alert - If you believe you are or may become a victim Stay on top of your credit with daily alerts when key changes occur, detect possible identity fraud sooner, and get notified when your score changes Credit Karma's free ID monitoring tool can help you spot potential identity fraud. If your information has been exposed in a data breach, Credit Karma may alert Credit monitoring alerts can help you stay on top of changes to your credit file and alert you of potential fraud. Here are the top five free services

While these services can alert you of changes to your credit file and help you fix any errors, it's important to understand what credit monitoring can and can't do. You still have to be proactive in taking steps to prevent identity theft.

Below, CNBC Select reviews the top six credit monitoring services that can help you keep track of your credit and get alerts on potential fraud. If you're not willing to pay money for a credit monitoring service, you can consider one of these free options.

While there are many benefits to signing up for a free service, including regular credit score updates, you won't have access to triple-bureau credit monitoring and identity theft insurance, among other premium perks. Who's this for? CreditWise® from Capital One is a free credit monitoring service that doesn't require you to enter a credit card number to sign up and provides a great range of features.

Plus it's open to anyone — regardless of whether you're a Capital One cardholder. If you're a Capital One customer, CreditWise features are integrated into the Capital One mobile app, so there's no need to also download the CreditWise app. Consumers receive an updated VantageScore credit score from TransUnion every week and credit report updates from TransUnion and Experian in real time.

Unlike other free services, CreditWise stands out by offering dark web scanning and social security number tracking. As an added tool, you can use the credit score simulator to check the potential effect that certain actions, such as paying off debt or closing a credit card, may have on your credit score.

With this service, you'll receive real-time alerts about new inquiries and accounts opened in your name, changes to your personal information and suspicious activity detected on your Experian credit report. Plus users get an updated Experian credit report and FICO credit score every 30 days.

Unlike CreditWise, Experian's free service doesn't offer regular dark web scans, which is the primary reason it ranks No. However, upon sign-up you receive a one-time dark web surveillance report that searches over , web pages for your social security number, email or phone number.

If you want a more comprehensive credit monitoring plan, consider one of the paid plans below. Click "Learn More" for details. Terms apply. To learn more about IdentityForce®, visit their website. Consumers receive alerts for potential fraud on your bank, credit card and investment accounts, as well as the use of your medical ID, social security number and address.

This plan provides the added benefit of three-bureau credit monitoring and credit score updates. You can also track how your score changes over time and simulate how certain actions can impact your score though you can do this with some free services, like CreditWise. Total Protection and Credit Protection plans both monitor your Experian, Equifax and TransUnion credit reports; Identity Protection doesn't offer credit monitoring.

Then the fee depends on the service you choose. This plan doesn't monitor your credit report. Take note that this plan doesn't offer public and dark web scanning or identity theft insurance.

The description herein is a summary and intended for informational purposes only and does not include all terms, conditions and exclusions of the policies described. Please refer to the actual policies for terms, conditions, and exclusions of coverage. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions.

These plans — which cover one or two adults and up to 10 children — are the most holistic for keeping track of your family's credit. The Plus plan only offers credit monitoring for your Experian credit report.

Don't miss: Should you pay for Experian credit monitoring? Here's how the free and paid plans compare. All plans offer access to 28 versions of your FICO score, including scores for credit cards, mortgages and auto loans.

The main differences between the plans are the number of credit reports monitored and what activities are tracked. Meanwhile, Advanced and Premier both review reports from all three bureaus and monitor everything included with Basic, plus some additional factors, depending on the credit bureau.

These include changes to the name on your credit report Equifax report only , new employment listed TransUnion report only and fraud alert placed TransUnion report only. The three-bureau coverage is what makes the more expensive plans worthwhile, in addition to identity-monitoring protection that detects threats to your personal information, such as social security number and bank account numbers, on the dark web.

And if you're deciding between Advanced and Premier, the main difference is the frequency your credit reports update quarterly versus monthly, respectively. At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money.

Every credit monitoring service review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit monitoring products.

While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best credit monitoring services. To determine which credit monitoring services offer the most benefits to consumers, CNBC Select analyzed and compared 12 services that offer a variety of free and paid plans.

When ranking the best free credit monitoring services, we focused on the following features:. When ranking the best paid credit monitoring services, we focused on the following features:.

Keep in mind that credit monitoring services can only alert you of changes to your credit file, not fix or prevent any errors. To learn more about IdentityForce®, visit its website. Some may not see improved scores or approval odds.

The site is secure. Who can place one: Anyone can freeze their credit report, even if their identity has not been stolen. You can temporarily lift the credit freeze if you need to apply for new credit.

When the freeze is in place, you will still be able to do things like apply for a job, rent an apartment, or buy insurance without lifting or removing it.

How to place: Contact each of the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Who can place one: Anyone who suspects fraud can place a fraud alert on their credit report. What it does: A fraud alert will make it harder for someone to open a new credit account in your name.

A business must verify your identity before it issues new credit in your name. When you place a fraud alert on your credit report, you can get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three credit bureaus.

How to place: Contact any one of the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The credit bureau you contact must tell the other two to place a fraud alert on your credit report.

Who can place one: An extended fraud alert is only available to people who have had their identity stolen and completed an FTC identity theft report at IdentityTheft.

gov or filed a police report. What it does: Like a fraud alert, an extended fraud alert will make it harder for someone to open a new credit account in your name.

A business must contact you before it issues new credit in your name. When you place an extended fraud alert on your credit report, you can get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three credit bureaus twice within one year from when you place the alert, which means you could review your credit report six times in a year.

In addition, the credit bureaus will take you off their marketing lists for unsolicited credit and insurance offers for five years, unless you ask them not to. The credit bureau you contact must tell the other two to place an extended fraud alert on your credit report.

Who can place one: Active duty service members can place an active duty fraud alert. What it does: An active duty fraud alert will make it harder for someone to open a new credit account in your name.

In addition, the credit bureaus will take you off their marketing lists for unsolicited credit and insurance offers for two years, unless you ask them not to. Duration : An active duty fraud alert lasts one year.

After a year, you can renew it for the length of your deployment.

Alerts for potential credit score impact - There are two types of fraud alerts you can place on your credit report, and both are free. Initial fraud alert - If you believe you are or may become a victim Stay on top of your credit with daily alerts when key changes occur, detect possible identity fraud sooner, and get notified when your score changes Credit Karma's free ID monitoring tool can help you spot potential identity fraud. If your information has been exposed in a data breach, Credit Karma may alert Credit monitoring alerts can help you stay on top of changes to your credit file and alert you of potential fraud. Here are the top five free services

Our top picks of timely offers from our partners More details. Choice Home Warranty. National Debt Relief. LendingClub High-Yield Savings.

Freedom Debt Relief. UFB Secure Savings. Select independently determines what we cover and recommend. We earn a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links. Read more about Select on CNBC and on NBC News , and click here to read our full advertiser disclosure.

Best overall free service : CreditWise® from Capital One Runner-up : Discover Credit Scorecard Best for setting goals to boost your credit score : American Express® MyCredit Guide Best for identity theft insurance : Chase Credit Journey Best from a credit bureau : Experian free credit monitoring.

Learn More. Information about CreditWise has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by Capital One prior to publication. Cost Free. Pros Provides updates on your FICO Score Performs regular dark web scans Has a credit score simulator.

Cons Only monitors one credit bureau report Doesn't offer identity theft insurance. View More. Pros Score Goals lets you set a desired credit score and get personalized recommendations on the best ways to improve it Has a credit score simulator.

Cons Only monitors one credit bureau report No dark web scans Doesn't offer identity theft insurance. Cons Only monitors one credit bureau report No dark web scans. On Experian's secure site. What do credit monitoring alert services do?

Can credit monitoring alert services prevent fraud? How to prevent fraud. gov or filed a police report. What it does: Like a fraud alert, an extended fraud alert will make it harder for someone to open a new credit account in your name.

A business must contact you before it issues new credit in your name. When you place an extended fraud alert on your credit report, you can get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three credit bureaus twice within one year from when you place the alert, which means you could review your credit report six times in a year.

In addition, the credit bureaus will take you off their marketing lists for unsolicited credit and insurance offers for five years, unless you ask them not to. The credit bureau you contact must tell the other two to place an extended fraud alert on your credit report.

Who can place one: Active duty service members can place an active duty fraud alert. What it does: An active duty fraud alert will make it harder for someone to open a new credit account in your name. In addition, the credit bureaus will take you off their marketing lists for unsolicited credit and insurance offers for two years, unless you ask them not to.

Duration : An active duty fraud alert lasts one year. After a year, you can renew it for the length of your deployment.

The credit bureau you contact must tell the other two to place an active duty fraud alert on your credit report. Active duty service members can get free electronic credit monitoring , which can detect problems that might be the result of identity theft.

To sign up, contact each of the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. It makes it harder for someone to open a new credit account in your name. It makes it harder for someone to open a new credit account in your name and removes you from unsolicited credit and insurance offers for 5 years.

It makes it harder for someone to open a new credit account in your name and removes you from unsolicited credit and insurance offers for 2 years. Order free copies.

CFG: Translation Menu Español Report Fraud Read Consumer Alerts Get Consumer Alerts Visit ftc. Breadcrumb Home Articles Vea esta página en español. Credit freezes and fraud alerts can protect you from identity theft or prevent further misuse of your personal information if it was stolen.

Learn what they do and how to place them. Credit Freezes Fraud Alerts.