Optional — you do not need this
Credit monitoring
Monitoring tells you when something changes in your file. It does not find existing errors, does not dispute anything, and is not required to use any part of this site.
What monitoring does
- Alerts you when a new account, inquiry, or public record appears in your file.
- Alerts you when a balance or status changes on an existing account.
- Often includes a credit score, which is a product sold by a scoring company — it is not part of your credit report and is not what a dispute corrects.
What monitoring does not do
- It does not find errors that were already in your file before you enrolled.
- It does not dispute anything. A dispute is a letter you send.
- It does not stop identity theft. It tells you after something has already appeared.
- Single-bureau monitoring sees one file. An error can sit on the other two unnoticed.
Where to get it
Listed alphabetically by category. This is not a recommendation, a ranking, or a comparison — check current terms with the provider before enrolling.
| Provider | What it covers | Price | Renewal | How to cancel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion (direct) | Each bureau sells its own monitoring for its own file. | Varies by bureau and plan | Typically monthly, auto-renewing | Through the provider account |
| Your bank or card issuer | Many include score access and alerts at no extra cost with an existing account. | Often included | Tied to the account | Through the provider |
| Free monitoring services | Several consumer services offer alerts at no charge, funded by advertising. | No charge | n/a | Close the account with the provider |
Provider terms last checked August 4, 2026.
Before you enroll, check three things
- Whether you already have it. Many banks and card issuers include alerts at no extra cost.
- Whether it renews automatically, and at what price. Introductory pricing frequently steps up after the first term.
- What the provider does with your data. Read their privacy notice, not ours — they are a separate company operating under their own terms.
A cheaper alternative that costs nothing
A security freeze stops most new creditors from pulling your file, which is what actually blocks a new fraudulent account. It is free to place and free to lift at each bureau. Monitoring tells you after the fact; a freeze prevents. They solve different problems and you can do both.