Is identity theft protection worth it? Here's what you should know

If you'd asked me in 2018 whether I was likely to be a victim of identity theft, I would have said no.

I used free credit monitoring. I had unique passwords and two-factor authentication on all my bank accounts and the email address that those accounts were linked to. I didn't keep any personal identifying information in my wallet other than my driver's license. I was tech-savvy and financially conscientious.

But after my wallet got stolen, it happened to me. It was a nightmare. And it could happen to you.

I wrote a story about my experience, along with ways to protect yourself and what to do if your identity is stolen. I also proposed some solutions that could make this crime harder to commit in the first place, and easier for victims after it does happen.

One thing I didn't write about: ID theft insurance. Before my saga, I hadn't used LifeLock or Aura or any service like