Fifth Third's Preferred Checking does not include credit monitoring as a standard account benefit

Fifth Third Bank's Preferred Checking account comes with several perks—fee waivers, interest on balances, ATM reimbursement—but credit monitoring is not one of them. The account includes identity theft protection and fraud monitoring on your Fifth Third accounts themselves, which is different from monitoring your credit file across all three bureaus.

If you want credit monitoring alongside a Fifth Third checking account, you would need to pay for it separately through a third-party service, or check whether your employer, insurance company, or credit card issuer already provides it to you at no cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Fifth Third Preferred Checking includes fraud monitoring on your Fifth Third accounts but not credit bureau monitoring across Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
  • Identity theft protection through Fifth Third covers unauthorized transactions on your Fifth Third accounts and includes some identity restoration support.
  • Credit monitoring services that track your credit file and alert you to new accounts or inquiries are available separately from other banks, employers, or credit card issuers.
  • The difference matters: account fraud monitoring catches unauthorized activity on accounts you already have, while credit monitoring catches new accounts opened in your name.

What Fifth Third Preferred Checking actually includes for account security

The Preferred Checking account comes with fraud monitoring on your Fifth Third deposit and credit accounts. This means Fifth Third's systems watch for suspicious activity—unusual transactions, login attempts from new locations, or transfers to new payees—and alert you or block the transaction.

The account also includes identity theft protection through Fifth Third's partnership with a third-party provider. This covers things like unauthorized transactions on your Fifth Third accounts, and provides some support if someone uses your identity to open accounts elsewhere. But this is reactive: it helps you respond after something happens, not prevent it by watching your credit file in real time.

Neither of these replaces credit monitoring, which continuously watches your credit reports at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion for new accounts, inquiries, or changes to your existing credit history.

The difference between account fraud monitoring and credit monitoring

Account fraud monitoring watches the accounts you already have with Fifth Third. If someone logs into your checking account from a new device, or makes a large wire transfer, Fifth Third's system flags it. You get alerted, and you can confirm whether it was you or block it.

Credit monitoring watches your credit file itself—the record that Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion maintain about your credit history. It alerts you when someone opens a new credit card in your name, takes out a loan, or makes a hard inquiry on your file. This catches identity theft that happens outside your existing accounts.

A thief can open a credit card, auto loan, or personal loan in your name without ever touching your Fifth Third account. Account fraud monitoring would not catch that. Credit monitoring would.

Where to find credit monitoring if you need it

Many employers offer credit monitoring to employees at no cost. Check your employee benefits portal or ask your HR department. Some health insurance plans include it too.

Credit card issuers often bundle credit monitoring with premium cards—American Express, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and others include it. If you carry one of these cards, you may already have access.

If neither of those applies, you can purchase credit monitoring directly from the three bureaus or from third-party services like Experian IdentityWorks, Equifax Complete, or Transunion's services. Costs vary, but basic credit monitoring typically runs $10 to $20 per month. Some services offer a free tier with limited features.

You can also request a free credit report from each bureau once per year at AnnualCreditReport.com and manually review them for unauthorized accounts or inquiries. This is free but requires you to check manually rather than receive alerts.

What Fifth Third's identity theft protection actually covers

Fifth Third's identity theft protection, included with Preferred Checking, covers unauthorized transactions on your Fifth Third accounts and provides some identity restoration support. This typically includes things like helping you dispute fraudulent charges, assisting with credit report disputes, and sometimes reimbursement for certain costs you incur responding to identity theft.

The scope and dollar limits of this coverage depend on the specific provider Fifth Third uses and the terms of their agreement. You should review your account documents or contact Fifth Third directly to understand exactly what is covered and what the limits are.

This protection is useful if someone gains access to your Fifth Third account or uses your identity to open accounts in your name. But it is a safety net after the fact, not a prevention tool. Credit monitoring is the prevention tool—it alerts you before damage spreads.

How to check what benefits your Preferred Checking account includes

Log into your Fifth Third online banking portal and look for account benefits or disclosures. You can also call Fifth Third's customer service line or visit a branch with your account number. Ask specifically about fraud monitoring, identity theft protection, and whether any credit monitoring is included.

Fifth Third's website lists Preferred Checking benefits, but the details can change and vary slightly by state or region. Getting confirmation directly from the bank ensures you know exactly what you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Fifth Third offer any free credit monitoring at all?

Not as a standard benefit with Preferred Checking. Fifth Third includes fraud monitoring on your accounts and identity theft protection, but not credit bureau monitoring. You would need to get credit monitoring through your employer, credit card issuer, or purchase it separately.

If someone opens a credit card in my name, will Fifth Third's fraud monitoring catch it?

No. Fifth Third's fraud monitoring watches your Fifth Third accounts. A new credit card opened elsewhere would not appear there. Credit monitoring from the bureaus would catch it because it watches your credit file directly.

What should I do if I want credit monitoring but do not have it through work or a credit card?

You can purchase credit monitoring from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion directly, or from third-party services. Costs range from about $10 to $20 per month for basic monitoring. Alternatively, you can request free credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com once per year and review them yourself for unauthorized accounts.

Is Fifth Third's identity theft protection the same as credit monitoring?

No. Identity theft protection helps you respond to and recover from identity theft after it happens. Credit monitoring prevents you from discovering it too late by alerting you when new accounts are opened in your name. You ideally want both.

Can I switch to a different Fifth Third account that includes credit monitoring?

Fifth Third's other checking accounts do not include credit monitoring either. If credit monitoring is important to you, you would need to get it separately regardless of which Fifth Third account you hold.