How To Create A Fraud Alert

Words identity fraud over world credit card. In an era where identity theft and fraudulent credit activity is prevalent, it is imperative that consumers have security tools to keep their financial lives protected. In recent years, the three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – along with the federal government have implemented steps that consumers can take to help safeguard their personal information.

The first line of defense against the fraudulent use of your personal information is placing a credit fraud alert on your credit file before or shortly after you are the victim of identity theft.

What is a Credit Fraud Alert?

A credit fraud alert is a temporary notice placed on your credit file that prompts creditors for new credit applications to take the appropriate steps to verify your identity prior to an account being opened. Whether it is a new credit card, a personal loan, mortgage or line-of-credit, a fraud alert adds an additional barrier between an identity theft and an unknowing creditor.

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Fraud alerts on your credit reports are provided at no cost to individuals, whether or not they have been the victim of identity theft or fraudulent credit activity, and are in force for one year. While temporary fraud alerts are sufficient for most individuals, an extended fraud alert lasting for seven years can be requested for victims of identity theft, also at no cost.

The process of placing a fraud alert varies among the three major credit bureaus but is most commonly achieved through submitting a request via the agency's website, over the phone or via certified mail.

Removing a Fraud Alert from Your Credit Reports

Each of the three major credit bureaus varies slightly in how temporary and permanent credit fraud alerts are effectively removed from your credit report prior to their expiration date. Once you request to have the fraud alert taken off your file with one credit bureau, that company is supposed to notify the other two credit reporting companies so you don't have to duplicate your efforts.

However, it is important to check that the removal was complete with all three businesses. Follows these steps for each of the credit reporting agencies listed below.

Equifax Fraud Alerts

Equifax logo. A temporary fraud alert with Equifax may be removed by letting it expire 12 months from when it was requested, or by submitting a request in writing. The written request should include verification of your personal information and can be mailed to the Equifax at:

Equifax Removal Address

Equifax Information Services LLC
PO Box 105069
Atlanta, GA 30348-5069

You may also call Equifax at 1-888-836-6351 for assistance. Additional information on fraud alerts can be found on the Equifax website.

Experian Fraud Alerts

Experian logo. Experian requires that a fraud alert removal request be submitted in writing or online via their upload form if the request is being made prior to the alert expiration date. Verification of personal information must be included in the written or uploaded letter, such as a copy of a government ID or driver's license, along with name, date of birth, and social security number.

A template for the letter can be found here, and can be uploaded online, or sent directly to Experian at the following address:

Experian Removal Address

Experian
PO Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013

You can also call 1-888-397-3742 to use their automated system and speak to someone to get more information about fraud alerts, which can mostly be found on the Experian website. At this time there appears to be no way to remove the fraud alert by phone with Experian.

TransUnion Fraud Alerts

Unlike Equifax and Experian, a fraud alert can be removed from your TransUnion credit report quickly and easily by submitting a simple request online. The request requires you to input your personal information and is processed immediately after it is reviewed. Access to TransUnion's fraud alert removal system can be found on the TransUnion website.

However, you can also call TransUnion at 1-800-680-7289 or send the business a letter via post mail to the address below.

TransUnion Removal Address

TransUnion LLC
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016

If you have trouble getting rid of an initial, extended, or active duty fraud alert tied to your credit history report with any of these three main consumer credit bureaus, please let us know.

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