How Do I Put a Fraud Alert on My Credit

A fraud alert is a statement added to a consumer's credit file at the three national credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. It instructs businesses that access the file to take reasonable steps to verify the identity of anyone requesting new credit in the consumer's name. A fraud alert is not a credit freeze, which blocks most access to the file. A fraud alert does not prevent access; it adds a verification step. Placing a fraud alert is free. The Fair Credit Reporting Act sets the rules for these alerts, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides guidance on how they work.

To place an initial fraud alert, a consumer contacts any one of the three national credit reporting companies by phone, mail, or online. The company contacted must notify the other two, so one request covers all three files. The consumer must provide proof of identity, which may include a government-issued identification, a utility bill, and a Social Security number. An initial fraud alert lasts one year and can be renewed. A consumer can request removal at any time by contacting the company that placed it. The alert does not change a credit score because it is not a credit account or inquiry.

An extended fraud alert lasts seven years and requires an identity theft report. An identity theft report can be an FTC Identity Theft Report from IdentityTheft.gov or a police report. The consumer sends a copy of the report to one of the three national credit reporting companies. That company must then notify the other two. With an extended alert, the consumer is entitled to two free credit reports from each national credit reporting company within twelve months, in addition to the free reports available at annualcreditreport.com. Businesses must verify identity in person or by phone before extending new credit.

An active duty alert is available to members of the military who are away from their usual duty station. It lasts one year and works like an initial fraud alert. To place any fraud alert, a consumer typically needs to provide a Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and proof of identity. The alert remains on the file until the consumer removes it or the time period expires. Consumers can check their credit reports from each of the three national credit reporting companies at annualcreditreport.com. The Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offer additional information about fraud alerts and identity theft.