Is Identity Theft Monitoring Really Necessary?

[jack8055]

Hey everyone,
I've been thinking about getting identity theft monitoring but wanted to hear from others before I do. These services say they monitor your credit and personal info (like Social Security numbers) and alert you if something looks suspicious.

Here are a few I've found:

LifeLock – Monitors your info and sends alerts.
IdentityGuard – Tracks your identity for unusual activity.
Experian IdentityWorks – Watches your credit and personal data.
IdentityForce – Monitors and alerts if your info shows up in risky places.
Has anyone here used any of these services? Do they really help prevent identity theft, or are there better ways to protect yourself? Would love to know what you think!