Individuals can place what is known as a fraud alert on their credit reports if they are or could be the victim of identity theft. This lets those accessing their credit report (creditors, insurers, employers, etc) about this increased risk of fraud, which allows them to take additional steps to verify that individuals identity before approving them for a loan, insurance or employment.
If you are, we suggest you read our article on credit freezes and the FTC’s how to get your identity theft report guide.
Contents
Types Of Fraud Alerts
There are three types of fraud alerts: initial, extended and active duty. The differences are explained below:
Initial Fraud Alert
- Lasts for a period of 90 days
- An additional free credit report is provided by the three credit bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion & Experian)
Extended Fraud Alert
- Last a period of seven years
- Creditors must contact individuals at the phone numbers they provided the credit bureaus with to verify their identity
- Two additional free credit reports are provided in the first twelve months. An additional one is provided every year after that
- Removes the individual from prescreened offers (e.g pre-approved credit cards) for a period of five years, unless otherwise requested by the individual
Active Duty Fraud Alert
- Available to those in active military service only
- Lasts a period of twelve months
- Removes the individual from prescreened offers (e.g pre-approved credit cards) for a period of two years, unless otherwise requested by the individual
- No police identity theft report is required
Fraud alerts are shared between the credit bureaus, meaning if one is placed with TransUnion they’ll notify Equifax + Experian and the alert will be added with them as well. All three fraud alerts are completely free of charge.
All three fraud alerts require the individual to provide proof of their identity and a copy of their identity theft police report (the copy of the police report is not required by active members of the military).
Adding A Fraud Alert
Equifax:
- Online:Â https://www.alerts.equifax.com/AutoFraud_Online/jsp/fraudAlert.jsp, only for initial 90 day alerts and active military alerts
- Phone:Â 1-800-525-6285
- Mail:Â Equifax Information Services LLC
P.O. Box 105069
Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 - Fax:Â 888-826-0597
For those wanting to place an extended fraud alert, they must fill out the following form by clicking here and then either fax it or mail it to the above address.
TransUnion
- Online:Â http://www.transunion.com/personal-credit/credit-disputes/fraud-alerts.page
- Phone:Â 1-800-680-7289
Experian
- Online
- Phone:Â 1-888-397-3742
A fraud alert can be removed the same way it was added.
Equifax had the easiest and least confusing process when we tested. Experian was by far the worst, constantly trying to upsell with their id theft product. We suggest adding the alert with Equifax and they’ll notify both Experian & TransUnion for you.
This concept is a good way to enhance knowledge and I will recommend this information to my friends. Thanks for explaining it perfectly. Continue to share your knowledge through articles like these and keep posting more blogs.
Thank you for the info!
Excellent aspects as well as fine points are imparted in this condensed content. Waiting more posts such as this one.
Both TransUnion and Equifax Systems seem to be down
“Removes the individual from prescreened offers (e.g pre-approved credit cards) for a period of five years, unless otherwise requested by the individual.”
How do you request to not be removed?
Both TransUnion and Equifax Systems seem to be down to add Fraud Alerts.
Their site must be up and down today.
I was able to put on the fraud alert with Equifax this morning though they said to expect email confirmation within 48 hours to confirm the requested alert has been added to my credit file. They also said they’d notify Experian and Transunion and should hear from them within 7 days. Will see if all of that happens.
Was also able to setup a fraud alert with Innovis though they send out a confirmation letter to confirm it.
I just attempted to add a fraud alert with equifax and got a System Currently Unavailable, try again later message. The incompetency continues.
i want my wife to open a checking account in the state so that i cant fund her when i travel or out of the state. please somebody should put me through
My wife and I have 7-year Fraud Alerts, due to having our identities stolen in 2014 or 2015. (Once your identity is stolen, it can never be un-stolen…the information is out there forever.)
A Fraud Alert makes it difficult to churn credit cards. There are no instant approvals, because the bank needs to contact you first.
I’ve applied for 2 cards in the intervening 2 years. The first, I waited almost a month until a rep from the bank called me to verify that I had made the application. That was a relatively easy conversation, because the bank called me.
The second application, I decided to call the bank to let them know the application was genuine. That was a very difficult 30-minute call…lots and lots of questions, then I was transferred to the Fraud Dept. for many more questions.
In the end I was approved for both cards, but it took more time and effort than it used to.
The take-home for churners might be: Try your best to avoid ID theft.
I do not have a Comenity bank/testes card…my credit report shows I do.