A fraud alert is an action taken on a credit file by a credit bureau in an attempt to protect an individual who believes their identity has been compromised. A fraud alerts causes creditors to verify the identity of anyone using a credit file on fraud alert. Individuals can contact credit bureaus requesting that a fraud alert be placed on their credit file if they suspect that someone else might be using their information.

How Fraud Alert Works

Visit the Equifax Fraud Alerts Online page to initiate a fraud alert on your credit file. For a link to this page, see Resources. Equifax offers U.S. citizens and permanent residents the convenience of requesting a fraud alert on their credit report online. This fraud alert is usually placed for a 90-day period. Because credit bureaus report fraud alerts to other credit bureaus, you do not need to contact all three credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit report. By requesting a fraud alert with Equifax, it will, upon approval of your request, notify the remaining two credit bureaus (Experian and TransUnion) about the fraud alert; the other two credit bureaus will ensure that a fraud alert is placed on their end as well.

Requesting Fraud Alert Online

Complete the 90-day fraud alert request form located on the Equifax Fraud Alerts Online page (See Resources) by providing answering all the requested information on the request form. Be sure that you select the "Initial 90-day Fraud Alert" option under the "Choose Alert Type" section if you are a civilian. Select the "Active Duty Alert" option instead, if you are a member of the armed forces. Note that the Active Duty Alert option is not limited to any specific length of time as it depends on the length of an armed forces member's length of deployment. Once you complete the form, make sure you read Equifax's terms and conditions for this service. If they are acceptable to you, select the "I Accept" option, then click on the "Submit' button. If the information provided is correct, your request for a fraud alert will be approved instantly, and a fraud alert will be effective immediately. However, if there is any discrepancy in your report, you will be contacted by an Equifax representative to discuss those discrepancies before your request can be processed.

Requesting Fraud Alert by Mail

Write directly to Equifax requesting that a fraud alert be placed on your credit file if you are concerned about entering your social security number online. Be sure that the letter you write to Equifax contains a date, all previous and current addresses you have ever lived at, your Social Security number and signature. Send the letter to the following address: Equifax Information Services LLC P.O. Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 It will take about three to five business days from the receipt of your request for you to hear back from Equifax on the status of your request. If your request is approved, a fraud alert will be placed on your account immediately. If more information is needed before your request can be processed, you will be contacted by an Equifax representative.

Source:

Fight Identity Theft: Fraud Alert

Equifax: Fraud Alerts

Resource:

Equifax: Request an Initial 90 Day Fraud Alert or Active Duty Alert