Antivirus and cybersecurity maker Bitdefender has unveiled its new identity theft protection service for consumers in the United States.

Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection provides users with identity threat detection and alerts, 24/7 credit and financial account monitoring, and dedicated recovery services they can turn to in case of successful identity theft.

The new service combines advanced threat detection and dark web threat intelligence with 24/7 identity, privacy and credit monitoring to protect users against theft, sale or the illegal trade of their personal, financial and credit monitoring.

Should your identity fall into the wrong hands, Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection promises to provide 24/7 support services where certified US protection experts will do most of the necessary work for you, including freezing compromised accounts, contacting third parties and completing the necessary documents. to restore your identity.

Meanwhile, Bitdefender’s Identity Theft Insurance guarantees up to $2 million to cover certain personal expenses, lost wages, and stolen funds from your financial accounts if you are a victim of theft. of identity.

Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection

Bitdefender has developed its new identity theft protection service in collaboration with IdentityForce and it is now available as a standalone subscription or via Bitdefender Ultimate Security which combines Bitdefender Total Security, Bitdefender Premium VPN and Bitdefender Password Manager in a single subscription.

For those considering subscribing to Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection alone, a Standard subscription costs $89.99 for the first year while a Premium subscription costs $139.99 for the first year. The difference between the two plans is that the premium plan provides credit report monitoring of three bureaus instead of just one; identity theft insurance is also increased from $1 million to $2 million and damages caused by ransomware and fraud can also be reimbursed.

Ciprian Istrate, Vice President of Bitdefender’s Consumer Solutions Group, explained in a press release why the cybersecurity firm decided to launch an identity theft protection service in addition to its antivirus and VPN. :

“As consumers conduct more personal business and finance online, they need comprehensive cybersecurity protection that not only blocks threats like malware and phishing attempts, but also protects digital privacy. and actively secures personal data against theft and misuse. The Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection service enables consumers to enjoy online shopping, banking, social media and other activities with peace of mind, knowing that their financial identity, privacy and personal data are protected 24 hours a day. hours a day and that their credit is quickly repaired if ever needed.

Why identity theft protection is worth the investment

While an identity theft protection service like Bitdefender’s new offering might seem like an expensive addition to your budget when your wallet is already stretched, it could be a big help if your identity ever gets stolen.

According to Experian, it can take anywhere from days to years to recover your identity once it’s been stolen. During this time, however, you probably won’t be able to take out a new loan or mortgage, get a new credit card, or even start a new job, because many employers check your credit history as part of their verification process. antecedents. Likewise, you could end up owing money to the IRS if a cybercriminal applies for a job using your social security number and doesn’t pay their taxes.

Identity theft remains a significant risk to consumers and in 2021 alone, US consumers lost nearly $6 billion to fraud according to the FTC. Additionally, a recent Bitdefender survey of over 10,000 consumers revealed that many engage in high-risk behaviors when it comes to protecting data and their digital identity, including using a single password across all of their online accounts. (50%), by regularly sharing their personal information. (43%), email address and date of birth (40%) and home address (29%).

While identity theft protection can help you regain your identity, using a password manager to create and store unique passwords for all of your online accounts can help prevent they are taken care of in the first place. You can also take action if your Social Security number is stolen.