What is an identity theft shield?

Identity Theft Shield is a third party consumer credit-monitoring service. The service provides three continuous services to help consumers combat against identity theft. Credit card merchants, credit unions and banks all offer this service.

The five most serious forms of identity theft occur with medical, employment, financial and criminal records, and with driver's license identity theft. For a small monthly fee, service providers offer consumers 24-hour monitoring and alert services, up-to-date credit file protection and identity restoration services if an identity is stolen. This service was once offered only to credit card holders and is now available to all consumers.