Identity Defender is ExpressVPN’s dedicated identity protection service. It can monitor your personal information across multiple sources, alert you to suspicious activity, and help you take action to reduce your risk of identity theft.
Identity Defender is available as an app for iOS and Android, and you can also use it within the ExpressVPN+ account dashboard. This guide explains Identity Defender’s features, what it can monitor, and how to get started.
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Identity Defender’s core tools
What information can I monitor with Identity Defender?
Get started with Identity Defender
Identity Defender’s core tools
Identity Defender includes four core services, each covering a different aspect of your identity protection:
ID Alerts
ID Alerts scans multiple online sources for suspicious activity linked to your personal information. When it detects something, it sends you a real-time alert in the app and by email, with details of what was found and recommended next steps so you can act quickly.
ID Alerts monitors the following:
- Dark web: Scans for your personal data on dark web sites.
- Social Security number (SSN): Can detect if your SSN is being used to open accounts, apply for credit, or access services.
- Change of address: Flags requests to redirect your mail.
- Home and Auto Title records: Watches public property and vehicle records for changes.
- Neighborhood Watch: Notifies you if a registered sex offender moves into your area.
- Court and judicial records: Looks for criminal or court filings made under your name.
- High-risk financial transactions: Flags suspicious or unusually large transfers via secure, read-only access.
- 401(k) account activity: Monitors your retirement account for signs of unauthorized access via secure, read-only access.
Note: The Home and Auto Title records, Neighborhood Watch, Court and judicial records, High-risk financial transactions, and 401(k) account activity features are only available on the Pro plan.
Data Removal
Data Removal searches data broker and people-search sites for your personal information and automatically sends removal requests on your behalf. It runs ongoing scans in the background, so if your data reappears on a site after being removed, the Data Removal tool can flag it and submit a new removal request on your behalf.
For sites that require you to take additional steps to complete a removal, Identity Defender will notify you and guide you through the process.
Credit Scanner
Credit Scanner monitors your credit activity and alerts you to changes that could indicate fraud, such as new accounts opened in your name, unexpected credit inquiries, or sudden changes to your credit score.
It also provides the information you need to freeze your credit if required, along with a monthly credit report with an overview of your balances and payments, making it easier to spot unauthorized or unexpected transactions.
ID Theft Insurance
ID Theft Insurance* is the financial protection component of Identity Defender, designed to help eligible subscribers recover from the financial impact of identity theft or fraudulent use of your identity. If your identity is compromised, this coverage can help reimburse eligible losses and recovery-related expenses.
Coverage depends on your ExpressVPN plan: eligible U.S. subscribers on the Advanced plan can receive up to $3 million* in coverage, while eligible U.S. subscribers on the Pro plan can receive up to $5 million.*
Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.
What information can I monitor with Identity Defender?
You can add the following personal details to your monitoring profile:
- Addresses
- Bank accounts
- Business licenses
- Credit and debit cards
- Crypto wallets
- Date of birth
- Driver’s licenses
- Email addresses
- Gamertags
- Medical IDs
- Mother’s maiden name
- Name
- National Provider Identifier (NPI) number
- Passports
- Phone numbers
- Social Security Number (SSN) / ITIN
- Usernames
Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.
Get started with Identity Defender
Identity Defender is available to new ExpressVPN customers in the U.S. on Advanced and Pro plans, with features varying by subscription tier. To subscribe to an eligible plan, visit the ExpressVPN order page. If you already have an Advanced or Pro subscription, see how to set up Identity Defender.
Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.
*The insurance is underwritten and administered by American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida, an Assurant company, under group or blanket policies issued to Array US Inc, or its respective affiliates, for the benefit of its Members. Please refer to the actual policies for terms, conditions, and exclusions of coverage. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions. Review the Advanced Tier Summary of Benefits and the Pro Tier Summary of Benefits.