How to Request a Fraud Alert With a Credit Reporting Agency

If you have ever been a victim of identify theft, you know the importance of keeping your information private. You have to be careful about where you enter your Social Security number, your credit card number, and even your birth information and address because thieves have found ways to take on your identity using these basic details. It is especially important in this Internet Age to protect your personal information. But even if you haven't been affected by identity theft, you should immediately request that a fraud alert be placed on your account with each of the major credit reporting agencies.

Instructions

1

Decide if you want to place a temporary alert (90 days to a year) or a long-term fraud alert that will last for up to seven years.

2

Call each credit reporting agency (the contact information for the three major agencies can be found under "Resources" below). Express your concerns about your identity being compromised, and also explain any specific cases where you believe that there has been past fraud on your credit report. Ask them to immediately place your account on fraud alert.

3

Visit each credit reporting agency online. Download the form to place a fraud alert, print it out, sign it, and send it in with a copy of your government issued identification (such as a driver's license, passport or military ID) and one copy of your most recent utility bill. This will help the agency verify your identity before placing the alert.

4

Write a letter directly to the credit reporting agency outlining your fraud alert request. Be sure to include your name, Social Security number, address, birth date, and most recent credit report number. You can either fax your letters or send them to each credit reporting agency via snail mail. You will most likely be asked to give a copy of your ID and a recent utility bill as well. Get a delivery confirmation to confirm that each agency received your request.

5

Whichever method you chose, follow up with the credit reporting agency within two weeks of sending your request to confirm that you are currently on fraud alert. Once you are on fraud alert, you will be called whenever someone attempts to get credit in your name.