<p>In the age of connectivity, staying connected with our loved ones has never been more critical. In this age, <a href='https://www.life360.com/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>Life360</a> acts as a beacon of reassurance for friends and families alike. As a comprehensive <a href='https://www.life360.com/location-sharing/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>location-sharing app</a>, Life360 goes beyond mere GPS tracking, creating a virtual safety net that keeps everyone in the loop about each other’s whereabouts and safety. </p><h2>Why Was Life360 Created?</h2><p>Life360 was not born out of a desire to invade privacy but rather as a response to the inability of families to stay connected during difficult times. <a href='https://www.life360.com/about/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>Founded</a> in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2008, Life360 emerged as a solution to provide families with real-time location updates, emergency alerts, and seamless communication avenues.</p><p>Life360 sought to bridge the safety communication gap that often arises between friends and family members in a world where schedules are hectic, and the unexpected can happen at any moment. The aim was simple – to make it easy for families to know where each member is, especially during critical times when prompt communication and location tracking are essential.</p><h2>Life360 Features: Location Sharing and Beyond</h2><p>Life360 stands out due to its diverse features catering to the various aspects of safety and communication. The core functionalities include:</p><ul><li><p><a href='https://www.life360.com/learn/does-life360-have-live-tracking/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'><strong>Real-Time Location Sharing</strong></a></p></li><li><p><a href='https://www.life360.com/blog/how-to-track-location-history/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'><strong>Location History</strong></a></p></li><li><p><a href='https://www.life360.com/driving-safety/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'><strong>Driving Reports</strong></a></p></li><li><p><a href='https://www.life360.com/crash-detection/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'><strong>Crash Detection</strong></a></p></li><li><p><a href='https://www.life360.com/learn/check-in-with-life360-place-alerts/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'><strong>Place Alerts</strong></a></p></li><li><p><a href='https://www.life360.com/learn/sos-alerts-with-emergency-dispatch/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'><strong>SOS Alerts</strong></a></p></li></ul><p>These are just a few examples of what Life360 has to offer. Other features include roadside assistance, travel assistance, medical assistance, data breach alerts, credit monitoring, and more, depending on your membership level.</p><h2>What Is Life360 Compatible With?</h2><p>The Life360 app, unlike apps such as ‘Find My’, is available for both Android and iOS devices. This cross-platform functionality ensures that families can stay connected, regardless of the devices they use.</p><h2>Life360: An App for Everyone, Where Safety Comes First</h2><p>In conclusion, Life360 emerges not just as a location-sharing app but as a comprehensive solution for families navigating the complexities of modern life. By combining real-time location tracking with additional safety features, Life360 provides a valuable tool for staying connected, informed, and secure in an ever-changing world. Stay connected, stay protected: Life360.</p>

The article delves into the world of Life360, exploring its inception, features, compatibility, age restrictions, cost, and more.

What Is Life360? | Life360

Landing Page

What Is Life360?

<p>Are you searching for a <a href='https://www.life360.com/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>family safety app</a> to protect your kids and teenagers? Maybe you want a <a href='https://www.life360.com/location-sharing/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>locator app</a> you can use with your partner and/or friends with <a href='https://www.life360.com/learn/life360-accuracy/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>reliable accuracy</a>. If you’ve been searching for an app that fits the bill, you’ve likely heard <a href='https://www.life360.com/about/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>about Life360</a>. This app aims to help you connect with and protect the people who matter most to you.</p><h2>Everyone Can Benefit from Life360</h2><p>Life360 is a <a href='https://www.life360.com/learn/guide-to-location-tracking/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>location-sharing app</a> that anyone can use. Parents and children can use it to track the whereabouts of family members. Romantic partners can quickly see why their partner is running late from work or an errand. A group of friends can also use it to determine how far they are from their destination for a night out.</p><h3>Peace of mind starts with location sharing.</h3><p><strong>Know where they are without asking.</strong></p><p>See when they get home from school, leave work, or start warming up on the practice field. When you’re all busy doing your thing, Life360 keeps you in the know.</p><p><a href='/plans-pricing/' target='_self'>Try Life360 for free!</a></p><img src='https://images.ctfassets.net/nywvtjnh7p05/wp_media_post_481637_location-safety-hero-min-2/a67837746f871d06f5d854639fc909a1/location-safety-hero-min-2.png' alt='[Blog] WP Image post_481637_location-safety-hero-min-2' title='[Blog] WP Image post_481637_location-safety-hero-min-2' /><h2>Life360 Pros </h2><p>What are the benefits of using Life360? The following are some of the benefits you can expect when you download this app for iOS and Android.</p><h3>Coordinating Daily Activities with Family and Friends</h3><p>The Life360 app is designed to keep families, partners, and friends connected and safe. It can be used to locate someone traveling, receive alerts when a loved one arrives or leaves a location, and detect car crashes on impact. As a result, millions of people around the globe use the app to coordinate with family and friends.</p><p>All you need to do is build a <q>Circle</q> (or multiple) with the people you care about. This can be family members, friends, and anyone else you want to stay connected with. Once someone is in your Circle, you get access to a variety of tracking and safety features to give you peace of mind and help you act if an emergency occurs.</p><p>With easy access to the location of friends and family, it’s much simpler to coordinate who is where, when. For instance, if you’re planning an outing with friends in your Circle and two of them are late, you can check the map to quickly see if they’re on their way and how long it will take them to reach you.</p><h3>Paid AND Free Plans Are Available</h3><p>Another great benefit of Life360 is the ability to choose between free AND paid plans. You can decide what works best for your budget and family safety needs. It’s available for free if you want basic features, while the paid versions offer extras such as free towing, unlimited Place Alerts, stolen phone protection, stolen funds reimbursement, and so much more.</p><p>Life360 is one of the most popular apps for keeping up with family members. If you’re ready to give it a shot, <a href='https://www.life360.com/plans-pricing/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>sign up for Life360</a> online today.</p><h3>Unparalleled Safety Features</h3><p>When you install Life360, you’ll have instant access to great safety features. The safety features include the following:</p><p>Free Features (All Plans) </p><ul><li><p>Limited Place Alerts </p></li><li><p>2 Days Location History </p></li><li><p>Crash Detection</p></li><li><p>Family Driving Summary</p></li><li><p>Data Breach Alerts</p></li><li><p>And more.</p></li></ul><h4>Paid Features (Gold and Platinum Plans)</h4><ul><li><p>24/7 Emergency Dispatch</p></li><li><p>30 Days Location History</p></li><li><p>Unlimited Place Alerts</p></li><li><p>Individual Driver Reports </p></li><li><p>Roadside Assistance</p></li><li><p>Crime Alerts </p></li><li><p>Stolen Phone Protection</p></li><li><p>Identity Theft Protection</p></li><li><p>And more.</p></li></ul><h2>Life360 Cons</h2><p>Of course, any product that has benefits also has cons. Below are a few that may come up and what you can do to alleviate any negative part of your experience when using Life360 as a locator app.</p><h3>Kids May Feel Micromanaged</h3><p>Some kids and teens might feel their parents are going overboard by using Life360. It can feel like being a bit micromanaged. However, these concerns can be alleviated by sitting down and talking with your kid about Life360, and setting boundaries to help them feel more comfortable with location sharing.</p><h3>Free Plans Have Restrictions</h3><p>There are some restrictions with the free plan when compared to the paid plans, but the basic features that put safety and tracking in your hands are still top quality. If you feel that you require <a href='https://www.life360.com/learn/life360-lesser-known-features/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>additional features</a>, it’s simple to upgrade your account to a Gold or Platinum Plan. You can pay by the month or save money when purchasing an annual plan and paying for it in one transaction.</p><h2>Try Out Life360 Today for the Safety and Protection of Your Loved One </h2><p>There are lots of reasons to give Life360 a chance. If you want to keep your family and friends safe and protected, it’s the perfect app to install on your phone or tablet.</p>

Life360 aims to help you connect with and protect the people who matter most to you - but is this app right for you?

Pros and Cons of Life360: Is the Family Locator App Right for You?

Life360 Pros and Cons

Life360 Pros and Cons: A Review of Life360 for Families

<h1>10 Driving Tips with Road Safety Essentials</h1><p>Whether you’re a driver, passenger, bicyclist, or pedestrian, <a href='https://www.life360.com/roadside-assistance-plans/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>road safety</a> is important. According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, more than 38,000 people die every year as a result of car accidents in the U.S., and these accidents are the number one cause of death for people under the age of 55. Fortunately, many of these accidents are preventable with the adoption of <a href='/driving-safety/' target='_self'>driving safety</a> measures and an increase in awareness of these measures.</p><h2><strong>Why Is Road Safety Important?</strong></h2><p>Safety is freedom from harm or danger, so road safety is essentially that same freedom while using the road. You can do your part to maintain it in a lot of different ways like always wearing a seatbelt, staying alert when behind the wheel, and following all posted road signs. </p><p>Road safety can actually save lives, which makes it something everyone should strive to include in their day-to-day activities.</p><p>This article will dive into how to practice road safety within different areas. We’ll cover distracted driving, bicycle safety, and child passenger safety, among other important topics. If you’d like to take a deeper dive into any of these topics, just click on the above links to get started.</p><h3>Peace of mind starts with location sharing.</h3><p><strong>Know where they are without asking.</strong></p><p>See when they get home from school, leave work, or start warming up on the practice field. When you’re all busy doing your thing, Life360 keeps you in the know.</p><p><a href='/plans-pricing/' target='_self'>Try Life360 for free!</a></p><img src='https://images.ctfassets.net/nywvtjnh7p05/wp_media_post_36598_location-safety-hero-min-2/15dda20b748a2d4ac896b6b6c39953de/location-safety-hero-min-2.png' alt='[Blog] WP Image post_36598_location-safety-hero-min-2' title='[Blog] WP Image post_36598_location-safety-hero-min-2' /><h2>Weather Makes Driving Dangerous</h2><p>Dangerous weather accounts for a substantial number of car accidents in the United States. Weather related accidents account for 15% of fatal crashes and 19% of injury crashes every year. According to <a href='https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/weather/q1_roadimpact.htm' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>the United States Department of Public Transportation</a>, the average annual number of accidents, injuries, and fatalities caused by the weather were:</p><ul><li><p>1,235,145 accidents</p></li><li><p>418,005 persons injured</p></li><li><p>5,376 persons killed</p></li></ul><h2><strong>10 Road Safety Tips for Driving Safe</strong></h2><h3><strong>1. Watch Your Speed</strong></h3><p><a href='https://www.life360.com/blog/life360-speeding-tickets/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>Speeding</a> is a leading cause of traffic accidents. The faster you’re driving, the more likely you are to cause a collision.</p><h3><strong>2. Put Your Phone Down</strong></h3><p>Studies have found that accidents are connected to the use of technology in the car — especially the use of phones. When looking at Crash Detection occurrences, a phone event (distraction) was found in 88% of those occurrences. Additionally, almost half (46%) of survey respondents felt that more technology in the car has made driving more distracting, and of that group, 76% said screens (smartphones) were the most distracting piece of technology.</p><h3>3. Never Drive Impaired</h3><p>The figures speak for themselves as to how dangerous drinking under the influence is. Drunk driving results in the death of 29 people every day in the U.S. Despite that, a study found that <a href='https://americanaddictioncenters.org/learn/drunk-driving-statistics-in-america/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>30% of respondents believed they were fine to drive after drinking</a>. </p><h3><strong>4. Always Wear Your Seatbelt</strong></h3><p>Seat belts save lives. According to the NHTSA, <a href='https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812683' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>seat belts saved 14,955 lives</a> in 2017.</p><h3><strong>5. Drive Cautiously in Bad Weather</strong></h3><p>Bad weather leads to bad driving conditions. It’s as simple as that. Being aware of the dangers of changing road conditions caused by weather and taking extra caution can help you and your loved ones avoid accidents. </p><h3><strong>6. Mind Rules of the Road While Cycling</strong></h3><p>Cars aren’t the only vehicles on the road. <a href='https://www.life360.com/learn/bicycle-safety-how-to-stay-safe-when-riding-your-bike/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>Bicycle safety</a> is very much a part of road safety. Unfortunately, <a href='https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/home-and-community/safety-topics/bicycle-deaths/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>preventable accidents to cyclists continue to rise year-on-year</a>, and 712 bicyclists died in vehicle collisions in 2019.</p><h3><strong>7. Keep Small Children in Car Seats</strong></h3><p>Whether it’s your infant in a traditional car seat or your older child in a booster, children up to age twelve or a height of 4 foot 9 inches should typically be buckled into some sort of car seat in the back seat of the car.</p><h3><strong>8. Walk on Sidewalks When Possible</strong></h3><p>Pedestrians use the road too. In 2019, the NHTSA found that <a href='https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813060' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>6205 pedestrians were killed in driving collisions</a>. Using designated sidewalks is an important part of pedestrian safety.</p><h3><strong>9. Maintain Your Vehicle</strong></h3><p>Windshield wiper fluid, oil, gas. Make sure all your levels are topped up, and your tires look good before getting on the road.</p><h3><strong>10. Follow Road Signs and Rules</strong></h3><p>Traffic rules and posted signs exist to keep you safe. Ignoring them can result in a collision</p><h2><strong>How to Improve Road Safety</strong></h2><h3><strong>Improving Road Design</strong></h3><p>The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) routinely makes recommendations to government agencies on upgrades they can make to roads to decrease the number of accidents each year. Some of the most popular recommendations include:</p><ul><li><p>Adding median barriers: Median barriers are barriers between opposing traffic on a highway. <a href='https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/provencountermeasures/median_barrier/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>FHWA</a> saw a 97% reduction in cross-median crashes when they were installed on rural four-lane freeways.</p></li><li><p>Installing roundabouts: Replacing traffic signals with roundabouts significantly reduces the number of collisions. The <a href='https://www.iihs.org/topics/roundabouts' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>Insurance Institute for Highway Safety</a> found reductions in injury crashes of more than 72% when traffic signals and stop signs were replaced with roundabouts in the U.S.</p></li><li><p>Adding rumble strips: Rumble strips cause your car to vibrate and make a loud noise when you either cross over the center or edge line of a road, which can happen if you are distracted or drowsy.</p></li></ul><h3><strong>Improving Technology</strong></h3><p>Technology is improving everywhere we look, and the road is no exception. From inside your car to on your smart device, there are countless new ways to keep yourself safe when you get in your car.</p><ul><li><p>Safety electronics: In-car technology has grown leaps and bounds since its inception. What started out as seatbelts has evolved into automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning systems.</p></li><li><p>Apps: There are numerous apps out there designed to help make your driving experience safer. Whether they prevent you from sending text messages, transmit your location to family members, or track behaviors such as speeding, you can use apps to make sure you arrive at your destination safe and sound.</p></li></ul><h3><strong>Improving Driver Education</strong></h3><p><a href='https://www.life360.com/learn/how-old-driver-license/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>Driver education</a> is how most of us learn the rules of the road. Improving this education to include things like computer-based training could enable us to experience and react to hazards and crashes in real time. Increasing the amount of on-road instruction drivers receive could also reduce the likelihood of future accidents. And don’t worry if it has been a while since you’ve taken driver’s ed, there are many defensive driving courses offered especially for seniors.</p><h2><strong>Share the Road Safely with Life360</strong></h2><p>Cars. Buses. Bikes. Motorcycles. Scooters. Pedestrians. The road is a busy place. And sometimes it can be a dangerous one. But we can all do our part to make the road safer by practicing better <a href='https://www.life360.com/driving-safety/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>road safety</a>.</p><p>That’s <a href='https://www.life360.com/learn/how-does-life360-work/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>why Life360 is trusted</a> by more than 55 million members worldwide.</p><p><a href='/plans-pricing/' target='_self'>Try Life360 for free!</a></p>

Whether you’re a driver, passenger, bicyclist, or pedestrian, road safety is important. Keep your family safe on the road. Learn more at Life360.com.

10 Driving Safety Tips for Families | Road Safety | Life360

10 Driving Tips with Road Safety Essentials

<h1><strong>Location Tracking Guide</strong></h1><p>Location tracking apps can help you discover new restaurants and deliver tailored advertising, but more importantly, they can improve communication between <a href='https://www.life360.com/blog/setting-up-life360-with-family' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>family</a> and <a href='https://www.life360.com/friend-location-sharing-app/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>friends</a> and <a href='https://www.life360.com/learn/is-life360-safe/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>increase your overall safety</a>. This guide will help you better understand location tracking and give you some important considerations in your search for the perfect location sharing solution for <a href='https://www.life360.com/blog/how-to-track-childs-phone/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>you and your family</a>.</p><h2><strong>What is Location Tracking?</strong></h2><p>Location trackers monitor the movements of people and objects. Chances are you’ve used a map application like Google Maps or a navigation app like Waze to get directions to an address, which means you have used location tracking technology.</p><p>We use the terms <q>location tracking</q> and <q><a href='https://www.life360.com/location-sharing/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>location sharing</a></q> somewhat interchangeably throughout this guide, but strictly speaking:</p><ul><li><p>Location tracking is technology that finds and tracks the location and movements of people or objects</p></li><li><p>Location sharing means a mobile device is transmitting its GPS location</p></li></ul><h2><strong>How Does Location Tracking Work?</strong></h2><p>Location tracking uses technologies like GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular signals to determine the precise geographic location of a device. Here’s a breakdown of how each technology contributes to location tracking</p><p>These technologies often work together to improve the accuracy and reliability of location tracking, providing continuous updates on a device’s position based on signal strength and availability.</p><h3>Peace of mind starts with location sharing.</h3><p><strong>Know where they are without asking.</strong></p><p>See when they get home from school, leave work, or start warming up on the practice field. When you’re all busy doing your thing, Place Alerts keep you in the know.</p><p><a href='/plans-pricing/' target='_self'>Try Life360 for free!</a></p><img src='https://images.ctfassets.net/nywvtjnh7p05/wp_media_post_36592_location-safety-hero-min-2/dbee2313b67b0c8509929e9e2298fc73/location-safety-hero-min-2.png' alt='[Blog] WP Image post_36592_location-safety-hero-min-2' title='[Blog] WP Image post_36592_location-safety-hero-min-2' /><h2><strong>Location Tracking with Life360 – Every Family Needs Security</strong></h2><p>With location sharing apps, you can share your location with anyone of your choosing in just a few steps, making it easy for family and friends to keep each other updated. Whether you want to know when your kid gets home from school or make sure someone can find you in case of an emergency, there are a wide selection of location sharing apps to choose from.</p><p>With its Advanced Location Sharing features like <a href='https://www.life360.com/learn/sos-alerts-with-emergency-dispatch/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>Emergency Dispatch</a>, Location History, <a href='https://www.life360.com/learn/check-in-with-life360-place-alerts/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>Place Alerts</a>, and Crime Reports, <a href='https://www.life360.com/learn/how-does-life360-work/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>Life360 helps</a> you make sure your family gets where they need to be safely and on time.</p><p>That’s why <a href='https://www.life360.com/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>Life360</a> is trusted by millions of members worldwide.</p><p><a href='/plans-pricing/' target='_self'>Try Life360 for free!</a></p>

Location tracking apps are everywhere today. Learn more about what that means and how it works with Life360's ultimate guide.

What Is Location Tracking: Guide for Location Sharing | Life360

Location Tracking Guide

<p><a href='https://www.life360.com/roadside-assistance-plans/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>Roadside assistance</a> is a great add-on to consider to help prevent being stranded on the side of the road. Imagine this – you’re <a href='https://www.life360.com/driving-safety/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>driving alone</a> and you start to hear the dreaded thud, thud, thud of a flat tire. You pull over to the side of the road and, sure enough, one of your tires is flat. You know you’ve got a spare in the trunk, but you can’t remember the last time you changed a tire. Then you think – I’ve got roadside assistance. One quick call later, and someone is headed to your location to change your tire. They arrive within the hour, put the spare on for you, and give you directions to the nearest affiliated tire shop where you can get a discount on a tire repair or a new tire.</p><h3>Peace of mind starts with <a href='https://www.life360.com/location-sharing/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>location sharing</a>.</h3><p><strong>Know where they are without asking.</strong></p><p>See when they get home from school, leave work, or start warming up on the practice field. When you’re all busy doing your thing, <a href='https://www.life360.com/learn/check-in-with-life360-place-alerts/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>Place Alerts</a> keep you in the know. Get there safe with <a href='https://www.life360.com/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>Life360</a>.</p><p><a href='/plans-pricing/' target='_self'>Try Life360 for free!</a></p><img src='https://images.ctfassets.net/nywvtjnh7p05/wp_media_post_36561_location-safety-hero-min-2/5e0b5996bc863dd854b74f98e0c16794/location-safety-hero-min-2.png' alt='[Blog] WP Image post_36561_location-safety-hero-min-2' title='[Blog] WP Image post_36561_location-safety-hero-min-2' /><h2><strong>How much does roadside assistance cost?</strong></h2><p>The cost for roadside assistance can vary widely from less than $20 per month to more than $100 per month. If you go with coverage from your existing insurance provider, you’re likely to find the cheapest price. The higher prices are usually for premium tiers with membership organizations. Premium tiers usually allow you benefits such as farther towing mileage. Bear in mind that you may have to pay extra for things like gas that is brought to you even though there is no charge for the service of bringing the gas.</p><p>With Life360’s Gold Plan, you will get roadside assistance along with a number of location safety features for just $14.99/mo. With Platinum, you will get enhance roadside and location safety features for just $24.99/mo. Both are a great deal when compared to other roadside assistance plans.</p><h2><strong>Can I use my roadside assistance for someone else?</strong></h2><p>Sometimes you can use your roadside assistance for someone else, and sometimes you can’t. It depends on who you purchased your coverage through. If you’re a AAA member, your coverage is tied to the person, so you can use it even if you’re a passenger in someone else’s vehicle. If you purchased your coverage through your insurance, it’s tied to your vehicle, so you cannot use it as a passenger in someone else’s car.</p><p>If you are a Life360 member, your entire Circle is covered and entitled to use roadside assistance. To know for certain whether you can help someone else with your coverage, call your roadside assistance company.</p><p><a href='https://www.life360.com/plans-pricing/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>Try Life360 free for 7 days</a></p>

What does roadside assistance cover and how much does it cost? Is it worth it? Learn the ins and outs of roadside assistance with Life360.

Roadside Service & Assistance Cost | Life360

Roadside Assistance Cost

How Much Does Roadside Assistance Cost?

<h1>Identity Theft Protection and Prevention</h1><p>You get a call from your bank asking you to verify a purchase made at a Walmart in Wisconsin for $217. The only problem? You’re sitting on your couch in Texas. It sounds like you’ve been a victim of financial identity theft. Someone has obtained your personal banking or credit card information and attempted to make a purchase in your name. Thankfully, your bank thought a one-off purchase in Wisconsin when all your other transactions were made in Texas seemed fishy and alerted you to the problem before any real damage was done. But that isn’t always the case. </p><p>The <a href='https://www.javelinstrategy.com/content/2021-identity-fraud-report-shifting-angles-identity-fraud' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>2021 Identity Fraud Study</a> reported that identity fraud cost consumers $56 billion in 2020.</p><h2><strong>What Is Identity Theft?</strong></h2><p>Identity theft is when someone other than you uses your personal information like your name, credit card number, or social security number to commit fraud. They can obtain your information in a variety of ways, including:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Physical theft</strong>: The act of physically stealing your wallet or purse containing a credit card, driver’s license, or social security card.</p></li><li><p><strong>Credit card skimming</strong>: A thief can place a device known as a card skimmer over any card reader to collect your credit card information. This is especially common at gas stations.</p></li><li><p><strong>Phishing</strong>: An email that appears to be from a legitimate source that attempts to capture personal information.</p></li><li><p><a href='https://www.life360.com/learn/what-is-a-data-breach/' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'><strong>Data breach</strong></a>: When someone accesses stored information without permission. <a href='https://pages.riskbasedsecurity.com/hubfs/Reports/2020/2020%20Q3%20Data%20Breach%20QuickView%20Report.pdf' target='_blank' title='Opens in a new tab'>Risk Based Security</a> determined that 36 billion records were compromised by data breaches from January through September of 2020.</p></li></ul><p>Once someone has your personal information, they can, depending on what information they have, access your bank account, open new credit cards, claim your tax refund, and use your health insurance, among other things.</p><h2><strong>7 Tips for Preventing Identity Theft</strong></h2><p>When you think about it, you use your personal information in a lot of different ways every single day. And every single time you make that information available, you increase the risk of identity theft. Fortunately, there are some easy things everyone can do to minimize the likelihood of identity theft.</p><h3><strong>1. Sign up for an identity protection service</strong></h3><p>An identity protection service is a great way to help keep your identity safe. While they are usually subscription-based, they offer features like credit monitoring and username and password monitoring, and they can even scan the dark web for instances of your personal information. These services will alert you of any issues and often cover funds lost.</p><h3><strong>2. Run your credit reports</strong></h3><p>You are entitled to one free credit report every year from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus – Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. You should make running your credit report a regular habit so you can catch anything unusual that may indicate identity theft. Stagger your reports throughout the year so you are always within a few months of having run a report.</p><h3><strong>3. Don’t reuse your passwords</strong></h3><p>Each password you use for an online account should be unique. They should also be difficult to guess by containing letters, numbers, and special characters and be longer than 10-15 characters. Avoid using real words or personally identifiable information. Never write your passwords down. A password manager is a helpful tool that can track all of your passwords for you as well as suggest complex passwords when you need to create a new password.</p><h3><strong>4. Be wary of uninitiated phone calls</strong></h3><p>Don’t give out personal information over the phone. Even if you’re fairly certain it’s your bank on the other line, it’s always a good idea to tell the person you’ll contact the bank directly from a number you have. Don’t fall for threats, no matter how persistent the person is. The IRS will never call you, and no one needs access to your computer.</p><h3><strong>5. Shred those documents</strong></h3><p>Shred any documents with personally identifiable information on them. Credit card statements, explanation of benefits, utility bills. Identity thieves will go through the trash looking for information they can use to steal your identity. If you don’t have a personal shredder, check whether your community has a regular shred day so you can safely dispose of your documents.</p><h3><strong>6. Don’t overshare on social media</strong></h3><p>We’ve all seen the fun challenges on Facebook – your first car plus your dog’s name is your rockstar name. Jeep Sprinkles? Or are those two potential security question answers I just shared with everyone? Be vigilant for anything that encourages you to share personal information. No one needs to know your grandmother’s name, the street you grew up on, or what the first concert you went to was.</p><h3><strong>7. Freeze your credit</strong></h3><p>Freezing your credit essentially prevents anyone from accessing your credit information. This prevents new accounts from being opened in your name because creditors cannot verify your credit. To freeze your credit, you need to contact each of the three credit bureaus and request a credit freeze. You will be given a PIN should you need to unfreeze your credit when applying for a legitimate loan or line of credit. You can also freeze a child’s credit, which helps prevent child identity theft.</p><h3><strong>8. Don’t click that link</strong></h3><p>Never click on a link from an unknown source. It could download malicious software that captures personal information. And be extra cautious of phishing attempts. An email may appear to come from a known source, but the link you need to click has something slightly off about it. Hover over any links before clicking them to determine where they lead. Is there an extra letter in the URL? Are they using a .co instead of a .com? If you’re ever unsure about a URL, go to the website in question directly by typing a known URL into the address bar.</p>

Stolen credit cards. Fraudulent tax returns. Identity theft is a fast growing crime in the U.S. Learn how to prevent it with Life360.

Life360 Learning Hub

What Is Life360?

Life360 Pros and Cons: A Review of Life360 for Families

10 Driving Tips with Road Safety Essentials

Location Tracking Guide

How Much Does Roadside Assistance Cost?

How to Prevent Identity Theft in 7 Ways