If you’re an ExpressVPN<!–> user, you have access to some new identity theft tools – and won’t have to pay anything extra for them.
The company (which topped our list as the fastest VPN service) announced a trio of new services this week aimed at helping you before, during, and after an identity theft situation.
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Called Identity Defender, the package includes three tools: ID Alerts, ID Theft Insurance, and Data Removal. They’re accessible through the ExpressVPN iOS and Android app, but other platforms are coming.
Here’s how each tool works.
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ID Alerts scans the dark web for personal information, such as your social security number and address. If nefarious sites have your information listed, you’ll receive a real-time notification that lets you know you might be at an increased risk of identity theft.
You’ll also be instantly alerted if your information is used to apply for loans or employment, your address is changed, or someone sets up a mail redirect. Right now, this tool is limited to new users (who signed up after Oct. 28), but it’s rolling out to all users.
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To use ID Alerts, go to the “Upgrades” tab at the bottom of the app. Enter the personal information you want to monitor (you can change this at any time) and tap “Continue”. When the scan finishes, you’ll see alerts.
Next, ID Theft Insurance is an insurance plan from Assurance that provides up to $1 million in coverage if someone steals your identity, specifically covering areas such as data branches, check forgery, embezzlement, and stolen identification.
“Identity theft is a stressful situation in which you could find yourself owing money you didn’t spend and faced with damaged credit or legal issues,” ExpressVPN explained.
This insurance “protects against the expenses incurred for handling these matters and restoring your identity.” It’s free to new users with a one- or two-year ExpressVPN subscription but costs $7.99 monthly for users without.
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Lastly, Data Removal regularly scans the web to let you know which data brokers and people-search websites hold your information. The tool then helps you to ask for the removal of all your collected data. This service is free to existing ExpressVPN users.
If you sign up month by month, ExpressVPN is $12.95 a month. A six-month plan is $9.99 monthly, and a 12-month plan is $6.67 monthly.
