How to Put a Credit Alert

The Federal Trade Commission says you can place fraud alerts on your credit reports to protect your identity. The alerts will make it difficult for crooks to use your name and personal information to open fraudulent credit accounts. The alerts can remain in place for up to seven years, and during that time federal law requires potential creditors to make reasonable efforts to verify your identity or even meet with you before issuing credit in your name.

Instructions

1

Contact the three major credit bureaus--TransUnion, Experian and Equifax--to place the fraud alerts on your credit report. Call the bureaus for the fastest service, or write them. If sending a letter, include your name, Social Security number, address and telephone number. The credit bureau will contact you by standard mail or telephone to confirm your identity and activate your fraud alert. If you call, this can be accomplished during the initial conversation. Contact the credit bureaus at their addresses.

TransUnion Consumer Solutions
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022-2000
800-916-8800

Equifax Consumer Services
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
800-846-5279

Experian
P.O. Box 2104
Allen, TX, 75013
888-397-3742

2

Ask for one of two types of fraud alerts: an initial alert or an extended alert.

3

Request an initial alert if you need only temporary protection. An initial alert remains on your credit reports for at least 90 days and is a good choice if you've lost your wallet or purse and need time to notify your creditors. You can specify how many days you want the alert to remain in place beyond the minimum of 90. For an emergency situation like this, call the credit bureaus to activate the alert. Once the alert is in place, federal law requires creditors to follow "reasonable polices and procedures" to verify your identity before issuing credit in your name.

4

Select an extended alert if you have become a victim of identity theft and crooks have already used your personal information to open fraudulent accounts. To activate the alert, you must provide the credit bureaus with an Identity Theft Report that describes how you were victimized. Sample reports are available at the FTC website. Or gather information from your police report. The credit bureaus can guide you through the process. The extended fraud alert will remain on your account for seven years. While the alert is in place, creditors must contact you directly or even meet with you before issuing credit.