Identity Theft Consumer Information

Learn How To Activate a Fraud Alert  ¹

What is a Fraud Alert?

A Fraud Alert is an alert placed on your credit file by the credit bureaus. The alert tells creditors to call you directly to verify your identity and confirm your request for credit before opening any new credit account in your name. There are two types of fraud alerts:

• An initial alert stays on your credit report for at least 90 days. You may ask that an initial fraud alert be placed on your credit report if you suspect you have been, or are about to be, a victim of identity theft. An initial alert is appropriate if your wallet has been stolen or if you've been taken in by a "phishing" scam. When you place an initial fraud alert on your credit report, you're entitled to one free credit report from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies.
• An extended alert stays on your credit report for seven years. You can have an extended alert placed on your credit report if you've been a victim of identity theft and you provide the consumer reporting company with an "identity theft report." When you place an extended alert on your credit report, you're entitled to two free credit reports within twelve months from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies. In addition, the consumer reporting companies will remove your name from marketing lists for pre-screened credit offers for five years unless you ask them to put your name back on the list before then.

How To Activate a Fraud Alert

You activate an initial fraud alert by calling any one of the major credit bureaus fraud departments. Activating a fraud alert takes about 5 minutes using their automated phone system. The reason you only need to call one credit bureau to activate a fraud alert is that the credit bureaus are required by law to notify the other two major credit bureaus when you initiate a fraud alert. Credit Bureau Fraud Department Information

• Your fraud alert will show on all three credit bureaus within 24 hours of activating a fraud alert.

TIP: when you activate a fraud alert, you are asked to designate a contact phone number for creditors to best reach you. If applicable, use your cell phone as your designated contact phone number so creditors can easily reach you when someone (maybe even yourself) is attempting to open a new credit account. This tip comes in handy when you are at Home Depot attempting to buy a washing machine, but are obviously not at home to receive the call from the Home Depot credit department verifying you wish to buy the washing machine!

How To Remove a Fraud Alert from Your Credit Report

There are two ways to remove a fraud alert from your credit report:

• The fraud alert will automatically drop off your credit file once the alert time has expired.
• Or, if you want it off earlier, you have to request in writing that the fraud alert be removed from each credit bureau where you have a fraud alert in place. It will take the credit bureaus 3 to 5 business days to process the request. Credit Bureau Fraud Department Information

How Do I Speak to a Real Person at the Credit Bureau?

Speaking with a real person at Equifax and TransUnion is relatively easy, just follow the voice prompts on their automated phone systems for what you are looking for and you will most times end up with a selection where you can talk with a real person. If you need help navigating the Equifax and TransUnion automated phone matrix, try this resource: Bypass the Automated Phone System and Talk to a Real Person

Experian’s automated phone system will not allow the consumer to speak with a real person easily, if at all. Experian attempts to channel all questions through their Experian website. Don’t get frustrated, because here is the way to speak to a real person at all the credit bureaus: order your credit report. Your credit report will have a phone number to reach a real person at each credit bureau. But, these phone numbers on your credit report will only be valid for 60 days (some numbers are valid longer), and the phone numbers found on your credit report are phone numbers that will not be found on the credit bureaus websites.

Fraud Alert Questions?

The Federal Trade Commission has a great resource called the ID Theft Hotline where you can speak with a consumer service agent that can answer all your Fraud Alert Questions: toll free 1-877-438-4338

¹  Some information on this page is attributed to the Federal Trade Commission ID Theft website.