Best Identity Theft Protection for Seniors in 2026

Identity theft is one of the most common consumer complaints in the country. The FTC received about 1.1 million identity theft reports in 2024, and credit card fraud was the most common type, with about 449,000 reports. Fraud losses reported by people 60 and older rose to about $2.4 billion in 2024, roughly four times the 2020 figure, according to the FTC.

Why seniors are targeted

Older adults often have good credit, savings, home equity and steady Social Security and pension income. Scammers also count on politeness and on the fact that many seniors still answer calls from unknown numbers. Common schemes include:

• Government impersonation: a caller claims to be from Medicare or Social Security and asks you to “verify” your number.
• Tech support scams: a pop-up or caller says your computer is infected and asks for remote access or payment.
• Romance and investment scams: a new online friend steers you toward a “can’t-miss” investment.
• Medical identity theft: someone uses your Medicare number to bill for services you never received.

Free steps that protect you

• Freeze your credit with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. It is free, and you can lift it when you need to apply for credit. See our guide on how to freeze your credit.
• Check your credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com, the only official free site.
• Review your Medicare Summary Notices for services you did not receive.
• Turn on account alerts with your bank and credit card companies.
• Use strong, unique passwords and two-step verification for email and banking.
• Hang up on unexpected callers. Medicare and Social Security will not call to ask for your number or demand payment.

What identity theft protection services do

Paid services add monitoring and help on top of those free steps. Depending on the plan, they may:

• Monitor your credit reports and alert you to new accounts or inquiries.
• Scan the dark web for your Social Security number, email and passwords.
• Watch bank and credit card accounts for unusual transactions.
• Provide U.S.-based restoration specialists who help you recover if your identity is stolen.
• Include identity theft insurance to reimburse certain recovery costs, up to a limit.

They cannot stop every kind of fraud, and they do not replace a credit freeze. They are most useful for people who want ongoing alerts and someone to call for help.

How to choose a service

• Monitoring from all three credit bureaus, not just one.
• Restoration help from real people you can call.
• Family or couples plans if you want to cover a spouse or an older parent.
• Clear pricing and easy cancellation. Watch for introductory prices that rise after the first year.
• Insurance limits and terms, including what counts as a covered expense.

What to do if your identity is stolen

1. Call the fraud departments of the companies where the fraud happened.
2. Place a fraud alert or freeze with the credit bureaus.
3. Report it at IdentityTheft.gov, the FTC’s site, which creates a recovery plan for you.
4. Change passwords on affected accounts.
5. If your Medicare number was misused, call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Frequently asked questions

Is identity theft protection worth it for seniors?

It is worth it if you want ongoing monitoring and a recovery specialist on call. If you are comfortable freezing your credit and checking your accounts yourself, the free steps cover much of the same ground.

Does a credit freeze affect my credit score?

No. A freeze does not affect your score or existing accounts.

Will Medicare ever call me for my Medicare number?

No. Medicare will not call you to ask for personal information unless you called them first.