How to Put a Fraud Alert on Your Credit Report
You just discovered a charge on your card that you are certain you did not—nor ever would—authorize. You may well be—or about to be—the victim of fraud. If you suspect this is the case, you would be wise to place a fraud alert on your credit report. Placing a fraud alert means that your credit report file will be flagged so that before issuing new credit, creditors are required to contact you or otherwise verify your identity. There is never a fee on placing a fraud alert. We’ll show you how to do it.
Method 1 of 3: Online
Go to one of the three CRCs (Credit Reporting Companies). These are Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. Each of them will let you put a free 90-day fraud alert on your account.
Place the alert with any one of the CRSs, and it will notify the other two to place an alert as well.
Determine what type of fraud alert you need:
Initial Fraud Alert. This is if you are concerned about the possibility of becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft. It generally is good for 90 days. This requires proof of identity and a copy of your identity theft report. This also entitles you to a free credit report from all three CRCs.
Extended Fraud Alert. This is what you file if you are a victim of fraud or identity theft. This will stay on your credit report for seven years.
You will need a copy of your identity theft report.
This entitles you to a two free credit reports from all three CRCs in the first 12 months, then one a year after that.
Active Duty Military Alert. This is if you are in the military and want to minimize your risk of fraud or identity theft while you are deployed. It will remain on your report for one year.
Place a fraud alert. Visit one of the CRCs, and locate the Fraud Alert link on the home page.
Fill out the form. You will need to fill in your name, address (and in some cases, previous address), Social Insurance information, and other information relevant to your particular alert type.
Click Submit when finished. Your notice will go onto your report, and the other CRCs will also be notified.
Method 2 of 3: Telephone
Call a CRC. Their automated phone systems will guide you to the correct customer service representative who can help you with your report. Be prepared to give them your personal information including addresses, social security number, and contact info. Here are the numbers:
TransUnion: 1-877-713-3393
Equifax: 1-800-465-7166
By notifying one of the bureaus that you are at risk of being a victim of identity theft they should automatically notify the other two.
The alert will remain in effect for 90 days, though you can call back after the 90 days and place another alert on your account.
Get an extended fraud alert. If you have evidence of actual or attempted identity theft and have filed a police report, you can extend the alert for 7 years.
This is what I did.
Sign up with a CRC. Each of the CRCs have their own form of credit monitoring products that offer varying services to protect you, financially.
TransUnion offers TransUnion Total, which covers everything from identity theft and credit monitoring to neighborhood watch.
Equifax offers Equifax Complete, a family of products for personal, family, and business credit protection.