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.

It happens suddenly, catching you off guard like a thief in the night. Picture this chilling scenario: you stroll into the local bank, casually swiping your card at the ATM to deposit a check, and your heart sinks as the screen flashes an error — your account is inaccessible. An anxious pit forms in your stomach as you pull out your phone and scroll through your Twitter feed. To your horror, you see that someone has hijacked your account, spewing links to malicious sites to your unsuspecting followers. Panic sets in as you realize the magnitude of the situation.