MyFico

Our series on identity theft protection apps will evaluate the features, pricing options, competition, and also the overall value of using each app. However, these are not full hands-on reviews since evaluating identity theft protection apps is almost impossible. It would require several months of testing, purposefully hacking accounts to see if the protection app works, handing over personally identifiable information, performing multiple credit checks, and risking exposure of the reviewer’s personally identifiable information.

Finally, there’s an identity protection app that’s worth your time and money. MyFico emphasizes your credit score and credit reporting, providing not only a healthy amount of information about your credit status but also a wealth of educational info. The mobile app looks more professional than most of the apps we’ve tested and presents information in a colorful and clear format. While this product tends to cost more than some, it checks all of the boxes that signal a great product.

For starters, the interface is intuitive and clear. We can’t emphasize that enough because a clunky and boring interface in any app makes it hard to use. With ID theft protection, it’s even more important because finding the features you need easily could help you ward off a criminal or hacker trying to steal your personally identifiable information. MyFico shows credit scores in a colorful way that’s engaging; alerts pop up to warn you about dangers. 

• You can sign up for MyFico here

The app provides $1 million in ID theft insurance, like most products. Yet, that’s even part of the most basic pricing plan. There’s also a credit score simulator - you can see how a new car loan will impact your credit, for example. The company behind MyFico is well-known and trusted. Overall, this is a smart and efficient product for monitoring your online identity.

(Image credit: FICO)

Plans and pricing

The Basic plan costs $19.95 per month. True to its name, this entry-level plan includes only one credit bureau (Experian) and the $1 million insurance in case you fall victim to ID theft. You can still call a customer support hotline for help in recovering your identity at all hours of the day. You receive credit score updates once per month. 

With the Advanced plan for $29.95 per month, you can view credit reports from three agencies with updates once every three months. This plan includes ID theft protection - the app scans thousands of websites looking for personal identity fraud and other credit problems. 

The Premier plan is the most expensive ID theft protection pricing option we’ve found in this software category - it costs $39.95 per month and provides monthly credit reports from three agencies. 

(Image credit: FICO)

Interface

While many ID theft protection apps look and function like a clunky tax program from a decade ago, MyFico is a bright spot in the field. The mobile app in particular looks more engaging with a colorful credit score indicator and a more modern design. 

The interface is trim and efficient, which means you can glance at the mobile app and see your credit score and investigate problems or review the alerts about ID theft and resolve them. There’s also something to be said for how the credit score simulator works - it’s more like a wizard that shows possible scenarios if you do buy a house or a new car and can determine whether that’s a good idea. 

If the clarity of the interface actually helps you resolve an ID theft issue or avoid a credit problem due to the simulator and how it all works, it’s worth the higher price tag. Other ID theft apps tend to be clunky and outdated, so even if the features are more impressive they are harder to find.

Features

MyFico doesn’t reinvent the wheel - or even invent one. All of the features are quite predictable, including credit scores and monitoring and threat detection for your personal information (the app can analyze thousands of websites looking for potential ID theft issues). All plans include $1 million in ID theft protection insurance. It’s all wrapped up in a clear and intuitive interface meant to point out any credit history problems.

(Image credit: FICO)

A simulator also helps you decide if that new Audi A7 will impact your credit (quick note on that - it definitely will).

The competition

The only real hesitancy here in recommending MyFico to anyone interested in protecting their online identity is the price. Even the Basic plan at $19.95 is more than almost every other low-cost ID theft app we found, such as Complete ID and Allstate Identity Protection. Moving up to the plan that provides monthly data from three credit bureaus, you’ll find the price is higher than any other ID theft protection app around, including Norton LifeLock.

Final verdict

That said, we do like the interface and the features available. The company backing this product is well-known and established - you won’t be wondering which tiny ID theft company is protecting your information and alerting you to problems. A FICO score is one of the best ways to determine if you need to look into credit history problems. 

We also like that the most basic plan still includes ID theft insurance in case of fraud. MyFico reps are available all day if you need to call and resolve an issue. The product is sound and we recommend it, but Norton LifeLock and IdentityForce are better options with more features and a lower price.

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