How to Place a Fraud Alert at Credit Agencies
If you worry about becoming a victim of identity theft, filing a fraud alert with the credit bureaus will help you protect your personal information. A fraud alert is a notice within your credit file requesting that any lenders or creditors reviewing your information contact you by phone before extending new credit in your name. A basic fraud alert lasts 90 days. You can remove the fraud alert at any time or renew it every 90 days for as long as you wish.
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Instructions
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Online
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Visit Equifax.com. Select "Protect Your Credit" and then "Place a Fraud Alert." You can also visit Experian.com and select "Fraud Alert" from the menu at the bottom of the home page. TransUnion does not offer online fraud alerts.
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Fill in your personal information, such as your name, date of birth, current and previous addresses and Social Security number.
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Provide a telephone number for creditors to reach you when requesting your permission to extend new credit in your name. This can be any number you wish and does not have to match the telephone number that the credit bureaus already have on file for you.
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Submit your request. You will receive written confirmation by mail of your successful fraud alert within two to three weeks.
By Telephone
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Call Equifax at 1-800-525-6285, Experian at 1-888-397-3742 or TransUnion at 1-800-680-7289. Select the option for placing a fraud alert from the automated menu.
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Provide the automated system with your personal information upon request. This includes your name, Social Security number, date of birth and current and previous addresses. You have the option to either speak the information or key it in on your touch-tone phone.
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Hang up only when the automated system confirms that the process is complete. Like placing a fraud alert online, placing a fraud alert by phone also entitles you to written confirmation within two to three weeks.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are active-duty military, you can place an initial fraud alert that lasts one year instead of 90 days.
Previous victims of identity theft are entitled to a seven-year fraud alert.
Although fraud alerts strongly suggest that creditors or lenders obtain your approval before granting credit in your name, it does not legally require them to do so.
You must write to each of the credit bureaus if you want to remove your fraud alert before the 90-day period expires. You cannot remove a fraud alert online or by phone.
