How Do You Request A Fraud Alert?
Fraud alerts can be placed on credit reports to help protect consumers. Alerts are supposed to prevent identity thieves from establishing new credit. You can select an initial alert that is valid for 90 days or an extended, long-term alert that remains for seven years. A long-term alert requires potential creditors to confirm your identity by contacting you directly before issuing credit. You might experience a slight delay when attempting to get credit, such as to buy a car or house. Contact one of the major credit reporting agencies, TransUnion (transunion.com), Equifax (equifax.com), or Experian (experian.com). You only need to file an alert with one agency–that company will notify the others about your actions. All three agencies allow consumers to place alerts online. Disclose personal information, such as your name, current address, date of birth, and social security number to confirm your identity. Be prepared to answer additional questions about topics like your previous addre
