Why is it important to know what is stored?
identity theft protection services are not safe from potential security breaches. As scary as it may be to think of a service that exists to monitor and protect your sensitive data hacked, the truth of the matter is, it could happen. It is important to know that your information - and what they do with it. Ask these questions and get answers is the key to staying abreast of how your information could be at risk. If you like the idea of any of your information (including your name or postal address) is stored in the servers of a company once you have canceled your membership, it is important to know the details before sign.
Who keeps the information after I cancel my plan protection against identity theft?
Most services retain at least some, if not all, of your information. The reasoning behind this is usually if you want to reactivate your account at a later date - although some services will also use it to check your membership if you determine you have been victim of identity theft so that a subscriber. You will need to check with your service identity protection against theft to determine whether or not it will help you after the fact to identity theft, which took place while you were a member.
PrivacyGuard keeps information in its system up to a year after you cancel your membership, even after it is removed completely. On the other hand, ProtectMyID, MyFICO LegalShield and retain all your data on their servers for an indefinite period of time. Note, however, that you can contact MyFICO and request to have your profile completely disabled, eliminating system information completely. Each of these services keeps your information in the hope that you will return as a customer.
What services completely delete my information?
If you prefer that all your data is scrubbed from the database of a protection service against identity theft completely after cancellation, your best options are Identity Guard, MetLife Defender or AllClear ID. The first service removes your information completely within 24 to 48 hours after the termination of your account, so that it both EXPUNGE their systems after 30 days.
Some services eliminate most of your information, including your Social Security number and other sensitive data, but retain basic contact information - like your name, address, phone number and email - just case. TrustedID, IDFreeze and AARP credit and identity theft protection against sensitive information purge TrustedID 90 days after you cancel your account, but keep the data mentioned above for their records.
Similarly, LifeLock removes the majority of your data, but keeps your name, date of birth and address to help you in case you discover your identity is stolen while you were a member of the one of his plans.
Are there other issues of privacy that I should have?
Some of the information collected from you by identity theft protection services can be provided to third parties. It is important to read the privacy policy of any service you subscribe to - really, any website to provide you with data - to determine what information could be shared and with whom. Many identity theft protection services allow you to "opt-out" of this information sharing, as long as it does not disrupt the ability to provide the services you subscribe to. You can usually learn to do it by visiting the privacy policy on the site.
Although it is important to choose a service that the information on the lines of the retention policy with what you're comfortable with, that should not be what you base your entire decision when you decide to subscribe. Read our full identity critical protection against theft for all the details you need to know about picking the service that is right for you.