Q: I've been receiving offers in the mail for services protecting me from identity theft. Are they worth subscribing to and paying the extra few dollars a monthfi What are the different types of services offeredfi

-- J.B., Berkeley, Calif.

A: In response to the rapid growth of identity theft, a number of services have emerged to help protect your identity. One of the most popular is credit monitoring, which checks your credit report on a daily or weekly basis and alerts you to any major changes. Such disturbances may be innocuous or may indicate fraud. For example, an address change may simply mean you have moved, or it may mean that an identity thief has opened an account in your name, with the bill being sent to somewhere other than your home address.

Each of the three major credit bureaus -- Equifax, Experian, TransUnion -- offers protection. Here's what you get:

The Equifax Credit Watch monitors your report for changes and sends an alert warning within 24 hours of any discrepancies. It also warns about sudden fluctuations in your credit-card balances. Other services include live customer support and up to $20,000 of Identity Fraud Expense Coverage. You also can purchase a tri-bureau credit report as part of this deal. (Web site: www.equifax.com.)

Experian offers Credit Manager, which will scan your Experian credit report each day. You will be alerted via e-mail of key changes that may be a sign of identity theft. For a higher fee, you also have unlimited access to your current Experian credit report and credit score. (Web site: www.experian.com.)

TransUnion's service is called True Credit, and it provides unlimited access to your TransUnion credit information, 24-hour notification of critical report changes and up to $25,000 in identity-theft insurance for one monthly fee. (Web site: www.transunion.com.)

Instead of credit monitoring, you might consider purchasing identity-theft insurance. Of course, many of the above services include some amount of coverage.

A raft of insurance products exist, so make sure you understand what you are buying. These policies are either freestanding or riders to your existing homeowner's or renter's coverage. Since almost all insurance companies offer some type of identity-theft guarantees, you might want to inquire with your current provider. Services can include advice from an identity-theft specialist or lawyer, payment of legal bills associated with reclaiming your identity and even reimbursement for other costs, such as mailing letters or loan-application fees. Some may even repay a certain amount for lost wages, in the event you need to take time off from work to deal with identity theft.

Of course, no service is foolproof, and a policy does not prevent identity theft. None of the above should be a substitute for your managing and monitoring personal information as part of a regular routine. But if you're inclined to be lazy, are occasionally absentminded or want some professional backup, these services can certainly help.

Privacy expert Eric Gertler can be reached at pryingeyesbook@yahoo.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page E1.