What Is a Fraud Alert?
A fraud alert requires creditors to verify your identity before approving new credit applications. It's less restrictive than a freeze but provides important protection.
Types of Fraud Alerts
Initial Fraud Alert
- Duration: 1 year
- Cost: Free
- Requirements: None
- Best for: Suspected fraud or data breach
Extended Fraud Alert
- Duration: 7 years
- Cost: Free
- Requirements: Identity theft report (FTC or police)
- Best for: Confirmed identity theft victims
Active Duty Military Alert
- Duration: 1 year
- Cost: Free
- Requirements: Military deployment orders
- Best for: Deployed service members
How to Place a Fraud Alert
Contact ONE Bureau Only
You only need to contact one bureau. They're required to notify the other two.
Contact Information
- Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 or Equifax.com
- Experian: 1-888-397-3742 or Experian.com
- TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289 or TransUnion.com
Information Needed
- Name and address
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Phone number
- Email address
- For extended alert: identity theft report
What Happens After You Place an Alert
Notification
- All three bureaus receive alert within 24 hours
- You receive confirmation
- Alert appears on credit reports
When You Apply for Credit
- Creditor sees alert on your file
- Must take reasonable steps to verify identity
- May call phone number you provided
- May ask additional verification questions
Automatic Benefits
- Free credit reports from all three bureaus
- Opt out of prescreened offers for 5 years
- Name removed from marketing lists
Fraud Alert vs Credit Freeze
Fraud Alert Advantages
- Easier for you to apply for credit
- No PIN to remember
- One call protects all three bureaus
- Doesn't slow down legitimate credit apps
Credit Freeze Advantages
- More secure (blocks access completely)
- Identity thieves can't override
- You control when it's lifted
- Best protection available
Can Use Both
You can have both a fraud alert AND credit freeze simultaneously for maximum protection.
Renewing Your Fraud Alert
Initial Alert (1 year)
- Expires automatically after 1 year
- No automatic renewal
- Must place new alert if needed
- Bureau may send reminder
Extended Alert (7 years)
- Automatically expires after 7 years
- Can renew with new identity theft report
- No limit on renewals
Removing a Fraud Alert
Before Expiration
Contact the bureau where you placed it:
- Provide identification
- Request removal
- They notify other bureaus
- Removed within 3 business days
What Fraud Alerts Do NOT Do
- Don't prevent charges on existing accounts
- Don't guarantee creditors will catch fraud
- Don't prevent all new accounts (verification can be bypassed)
- Don't affect credit score
- Don't repair damaged credit
- Don't stop all types of identity theft
When to Use Fraud Alert
Good Situations
- You were notified of data breach
- Lost wallet with SSN card
- Suspicious activity but no confirmed fraud
- Want protection but need to apply for credit
- Traveling abroad
When Freeze Is Better
- Confirmed identity theft
- Not applying for credit soon
- Want maximum security
- Have time to manage lifting/refreezing
Common Issues
Alert Not Showing on All Bureaus
- Wait 24-48 hours
- Check all three credit reports
- Contact bureaus directly if missing
Creditor Didn't Verify Identity
- Not all creditors have perfect compliance
- Report to CFPB if fraud occurs despite alert
- Consider switching to credit freeze
Difficulty Getting Credit
- Be prepared for verification calls
- Have phone accessible during application
- Bring extra ID to in-person applications
Active Duty Military Alert Benefits
- Protects deployed service members
- Removes name from marketing lists for 2 years
- Additional identity verification required
- Can renew for each deployment