Aura is recognized as a leading brand in the identity theft protection industry, distinguished by its unique offering of a single, comprehensive plan suitable for individuals, couples, and families. This approach effectively removes any barriers related to feature paywalls and streamlines coverage options. As a result, all essential identity monitoring and restoration features are included in every standard plan, irrespective of the number of users. This ensures that users receive robust protection without hidden costs.
Continue reading to discover more about Aura, including the key differentiators that set it apart from competitors, a detailed overview of its plans, and important company information.
Understanding the Advantages and Disadvantages of Aura Identity Theft Protection
- 60-day money-back guarantee (available only with annual billing)
- 3-bureau credit monitoring included in all plans
- Comprehensive suite of cybersecurity tools provided
- Plans are priced higher than many competitors
- Basic antivirus and password manager features may be underwhelming
- No social media account monitoring included
What Unique Features Differentiate Aura from Other Services
Comprehensive Family Monitoring Solutions Offered by Aura
Aura provides extensive monitoring services that cover a broad range of information and documents, including monitoring for account breaches and Social Security Number validation. Additionally, it includes specialized monitoring for areas such as auto titles, bank fraud, court records, and investment accounts. These critical identity monitoring services are consistently available across all three of Aura’s standard plan options, ensuring that users receive thorough protection.
Robust Cybersecurity Tools Included in Every Plan
Each plan offered by Aura comes equipped with a comprehensive set of cybersecurity features, including a VPN, antivirus software, a password manager, an email alias generator, and tools for ad blocking and safe browsing. For the Family plan, this protective coverage extends to as many as 50 devices. While these cybersecurity tools may not fall directly under traditional identity theft protection, their importance in safeguarding your personal identity and sensitive information online cannot be overstated.
Inclusive 3-Bureau Credit Monitoring Across All Plans
Unlike many identity theft protection providers that restrict credit monitoring to only their highest-tier plans (and at elevated costs), Aura includes monitoring from TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian in all of its offerings. This means you can enjoy this highly valued feature regardless of the plan you choose, making Aura an attractive option for those seeking comprehensive monitoring.
Extended Money-Back Guarantee for Customer Assurance
Aura typically offers a 14-day money-back guarantee, which is reasonable for monthly payment plans. However, customers who opt for annual billing benefit from an extended 60-day money-back guarantee. This lengthy guarantee period is among the longest available in the industry, allowing you ample time to assess whether the service meets your needs before making a long-term commitment.
Identifying the Limitations of Aura’s Services
Absence of Social Media Monitoring Capabilities
While Aura is diligent in scanning for threats across the dark web and monitoring financial records, it notably lacks the ability to monitor social media accounts. This is a significant gap in their otherwise comprehensive identity monitoring service, particularly for adult users. Though the Family plan does include cyberbullying alerts, this feature is limited to children during gaming sessions.
Limited Flexibility in Plan Options
Aura promotes plans that boast a wide array of features; however, not every user may require all the benefits being provided. This all-in-one model can lead to higher costs, as users may find themselves paying for unnecessary services. The inability to customize features or select from more affordable plan tiers may result in Aura becoming more expensive compared to other providers that offer more flexible options.
Aura Identity Theft Protection Plans and Pricing Overview
In contrast to competitors that vary features among pricing tiers, Aura’s plans primarily differ based on the number of users covered, which can include one, two, or up to five adults, along with variations in specific benefits such as insurance limits and the size of encrypted storage. The only distinct offering is the Kids plan, which is specifically tailored to protect children.
Aura Individual Plan Details
The Aura Individual plan provides comprehensive identity theft protection for one adult, which includes:
- Identity theft protection that monitors for account breaches, SSN and personal information, home and auto titles, identity verification, criminal and court records, 401k and investment accounts, financial transactions, and bank fraud
- $1M identity theft insurance policy
- 3-Bureau credit monitoring
- Instant credit lock
- Financial transaction alerts
- Antivirus, VPN, and safe browsing tools for up to ten devices
- Password manager, encrypted online storage, and email aliases
- Anti-track and ad blocker
- Removal from people search sites and spam lists
- 24/7 customer support
- Expert fraud and lost wallet remediation based in the U.S.
- Your monthly credit score and annual credit reports
Aura Couple Plan Features
The Aura Couple plan encompasses all features available in the Individual plan but extends coverage to two adults. The $1M identity theft insurance policy is increased to $2M for this plan, and users can download the antivirus, VPN, and safe browsing tools on up to 20 devices, doubling the protection.
Aura Family Plan Benefits
The Aura Family plan expands coverage to include up to five adults and an unlimited number of children, alongside numerous additional features. These include:
- Spam call and message protection (also available as an add-on for other plans)
- Online trend and routine tracker for children (for iOS devices only)
- Parental controls
- Safe gaming and cyberbullying alerts
- Family fraud alerts sharing
- Child SSN monitoring
- Child 3-bureau credit freeze
- Child sex offender geo-alerts
Each adult in this plan is provided with up to $1M in identity theft insurance, resulting in a total of $5M in insurance coverage. Additionally, users can download the antivirus, VPN, and safe browsing tools on an unlimited number of devices, ensuring comprehensive protection for the entire family.
Aura Kids Plan Overview
The Aura Kids plan is distinct from all other Aura offerings as it does not provide any identity theft protection for adults. Instead, it focuses on device tools and monitoring services aimed specifically at safeguarding the identity and digital footprint of children. This plan includes an online trend and routine tracker for iOS devices, safe gaming and cyberbullying alerts, parental controls, and child sex offender geo-alerts.
Below is a brief breakdown of the costs associated with each Aura plan:
Aura Identity Theft Protection Financial Stability Insights
Aura operates as a subsidiary of Aura Sub, LLC, which is also the parent company of Identity Guard, another identity theft protection service. Aura was established following the merger between Intersections Inc. and a joint venture that included iSubscribed, WndrCo, and General Catalyst. This merger allowed the combined businesses to rebrand under the name Aura, thereby creating a unified platform for digital threat protection.
Currently, there is minimal public information available regarding the company’s financial health, and as of August 15, it appears that Aura has not been rated by any major credit rating agencies. Nevertheless, no pending government or regulatory actions concerning Aura have been found, which may indicate a stable operational environment.
Exploring Aura’s Accessibility and User Support
Customers have the convenience of accessing Aura’s services through both its desktop and mobile apps. Plans can be purchased directly online or via phone, making it easy for users to choose their preferred method of obtaining identity theft protection.
Availability of Aura Services Across the U.S.
Aura’s plans are available to customers across all U.S. states and territories. The company offers 24/7 customer support through multiple channels, including phone, email, and live chat, ensuring that assistance is always accessible.
Aura also provides a premium “white glove” fraud resolution service, which delivers personalized support to individuals affected by identity theft or financial fraud. If necessary, Aura assigns a dedicated case manager who will liaise with credit agencies and government institutions to facilitate resolution of any issues.
Contacting Aura Customer Support
To get in touch with Aura’s customer support team, customers can call +1-833-552-2123 or email support@aura.com. Additionally, the website features a pop-up chat function on the Digital Security 101 page, which provides valuable insights into preventing identity theft.
User Experience on Aura’s Website and Apps
The Aura website is designed to be user-friendly, offering detailed information about services and pricing. It includes a help center that addresses frequently asked questions and provides guidance on starting with the service, data breaches, credit monitoring, family protection, and more.
As of August 15, Aura’s iOS app has received a rating of 4.7 out of 5 from 68,678 users, while the Android app holds a rating of 4.5 out of 5 based on 22,463 reviews on the Google Play Store. The Aura app sends alerts for suspicious activities and displays your credit information, while also providing easy access to numerous service tools, such as the instant credit lock, VPN, and transaction tracker.
Aura Identity Theft Protection Customer Satisfaction and Reviews
Overall, Aura has garnered mostly positive feedback from users online. However, some consumer complaints have arisen, primarily related to billing issues and the performance of certain services, particularly the password manager and antivirus features. Additionally, there have been reports of problems with the iOS and Android applications.
Aura is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and currently holds an A+ rating on the platform. While it has received 164 complaints over the last three years and successfully closed 64 of them within the past year, the overall rating based on 64 customer reviews stands at only 1.06 out of 5.
Common Questions About Aura Identity Theft Protection
Is Aura a trustworthy company for identity theft protection?
Despite being a relatively new entrant in the market, Aura has swiftly positioned itself as a significant player in the field of digital security and identity theft protection services. Its potential has attracted investors, as evidenced by the successful completion of its Series F funding round, which raised an impressive $200 million, leading to a valuation of $2.5 billion.
What is the refund policy for Aura services?
Aura offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, but this is only applicable to annual plans. Customers opting for monthly plans receive a shorter 14-day money-back guarantee.
Does Aura operate under Identity Guard?
Aura and Identity Guard are independent brands, both owned by the same parent company: Aura Sub, LLC.
How effective is Aura’s antivirus software?
While Aura is a solid choice for an all-in-one service, those seeking only antivirus protection might find better alternatives.
How We Assessed Aura’s Identity Theft Protection Features
In our evaluation of Aura’s identity theft protection service, we began by compiling a comprehensive list of the plans and features offered. We then conducted a comparative analysis against other top identity theft protection services, examining each side by side. Finally, we took into account online feedback to gauge user satisfaction with the service, as well as the performance of its software and applications.
Final Thoughts on Aura Identity Theft Protection Review by Money
Aura emerges as a formidable option for both individuals and families in search of extensive identity protection and online security solutions. Its extensive array of monitoring tools, straightforward pricing structure, and generous refund policy contribute to its competitive edge in the market. However, one significant strength—being a comprehensive service—might also be viewed as a drawback for those looking for a more budget-friendly option that does not include extensive features.
