Experian Extended Fraud Alert: Fill & Download for Free

It’s time to call all three credit bureaus and request an immediate freeze and/or fraud alert on your credit profiles… get verbal and written confirmation that no soft or hard hits will go through, and written assurance that the freeze is in place. By default, the freeze is active for one year, then automatically turns off. You need to renew the freeze (if necessary) a few weeks before the freeze end day.By law, if you contact one credit bureau and report potential fraudulent activity or a breach of your personal information, the credit bureau is legally obligated to contact the other bureaus — and the other credit bureaus are legally obligated to place the freeze without delay. I wouldn’t rely on these corporate giants for something so critical to your financial security, though: the feds might fine a company $100k for overcharging customers $100 million in fees, so assume the credit bureaus will not be dropping everything to comply with federal statutes.Next: Contact your bank, credit card issuer, mortgage company and any other business where you have a credit line and ask to have enhanced fraud protection added to your accountYou should do this by phone in the interest of urgency. The names and phone numbers you need are:Equifax Credit Report Services: 800-685-1111Consumer Assistance at Experian: 888-397-3742TransUnion Credit Report Help: 888-909-8872Be aware that credit freezes and fraud alerts would be useless if they included exceptions: this means you will be denied if you attempt to get credit or expand an existing line, because it is difficult for credit issuers to know whether it’s you or the people who sell and trade your credit-actionable details trying to get credit. It’s a hassle, but consider the alternative and deal with it.It’s unfortunate if you’re among the segment of fraud victims who listen to the next bit of advice but don’t follow it (even though it saves you from being on the hook for a fortune): keep a paper trail. Follow up calls with a letter (actual paper, via certified mail) that summarizes the issue, what you requested and what they agreed to do.Also something most folks think is a waste of time until it saves your bacon: If you asked for something reasonable and the phone rep refused or would not commit to carrying out the ask, it’s essential that you include that in the letters: what you wanted, the reason given for not being able to do it, and your repeated request that they do what you ask or an equivalent alternative.Why is this important? Few people realize that (with rare exceptions) a company is not responsible for what their representatives, salespeople or call center employees say, don’t say, promise or even lie about. Since you have no idea who the person is who answers fraud department calls (or even where they are), you cannot extend a stranger the benefit of trust.This is especially true when the person you’re talking to is trained to protect the company’s interests over yours. In Every. Possible. Way. If the choice is down to the company spending $1 more than they’re willing to, or the customer losing $50,000, they’ll usually go the extra mile to save that dollar for themselves. Sad but true.From US FTC Federal Trade Commission / Why Place a Fraud AlertThree nationwide credit bureaus keep records of your credit history. If someone has misused your personal information – or even if you're concerned about identity theft, but haven't yet become a victim – you can place a fraud alert. For example, you may want to place a fraud alert if your wallet, Social Security card, or other personal, financial or account information is lost or stolen. You also may want to place a fraud alert if your personal information was exposed in a data breach. A fraud alert is free. The credit bureau you contact must tell the other two about your alert.A fraud alert can make it harder for an identity thief to open more accounts in your name. When you have an alert on your report, a business must verify your identity before it issues credit, so it may try to contact you. The alert stays on your report for one year. You can get a new one after one year. It allows you to order one free copy of your credit report from each of the three credit bureaus. Be sure the credit bureaus have your current contact information so they can get in touch with you.How to Place a Fraud AlertContact one credit bureau [NOTE: SEE MY ADVICE ABOVE & CONTACT ALL THREE). Ask it to put a fraud alert on your credit report. The credit bureau you contact will then contact the other two credit bureaus. Placing a fraud alert is free. Be sure the credit bureaus have your current contact information so they can get in touch with you.The credit bureau will explain that you can get a free credit report and other rights you have.Mark your calendar. The fraud alert stays on your report for one year. You can get a new one after one year.Credit Bureau Contact InformationContact the national credit bureaus to request fraud alerts, credit freezes (also known as security freezes), and opt outs from pre‑screened credit offers.EquifaxEquifax.com/personal/credit-report-services800-685-1111ExperianExperian.com/help888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)TransunionTransUnion.com/credit-help888-909-8872

Fantastic question. A few things I would suggest:1.Sign up with a free credit monitoring service that offers Equifax (and other) credit reports. Free Credit Score & Free Credit Reports With Monitoring is a great option, as you’ll receive your TransUnion and Equifax reports for free. Get Your FICO® Score: No Credit Card Needed. is also excellent, receive your free Experian report. If you like, you can also use a paid service like myFico.com, where you get all 3 reports in one place.2. Check your credit reports once per month (each open account typically updates once per month), and make sure that nothing appears unusual. By unusual I mean any new accounts, or balances on an existing account which look abnormal. It is possible to use your information to gain control of existing accounts, as well as open new ones, that’s why I mention this.3. If you notice anything unusual, especially an account opened in your name that is not yours, you will want to file a report with your local police department, explaining that you believe you’ve been a victim of identity theft.4. After that, you’ll also want to contact the credit bureaus, and provide the police reports, and request an extended fraud alert (goes for up to 7 years). This will make it more difficult for anyone to apply for credit using your name or information, and offers greater protection. You’ll still want to continue monitoring your credit during this time.5. Also send this report to the company who opened the account. Let them know the account is fraudulent, and not your responsibility legally, since you are a victim of identity theft.6. If anything unusual appears on your credit in the coming years, regardless, dispute it with credit bureaus, and provide proof of your being a victim of identity theft.Please note that steps 3–6 are only if you see accounts that are unusual or have reason to believe you are a victim of identity theft. Otherwise, just follow steps 1 and 2, consistently.

Free credit freezesSecurity freezes, also known as credit freezes, restrict access to your credit file, making it harder for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. Starting September 21, 2018, you can freeze and unfreeze your credit file for free. You also can get a free freeze for your children who are under 16. And if you are someone’s guardian, conservator or have a valid power of attorney, you can get a free freeze for that person, too.How will these freezes work? Contact all three of the nationwide credit reporting agencies – Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. If you request a freeze online or by phone, the agency must place the freeze within one business day. If you request a lift of the freeze, the agency must lift it within one hour. If you make your request by mail, the agency must place or lift the freeze within three business days after it gets your request. You also can lift the freeze temporarily without a fee.Don’t confuse freezes with locks. They work in a similar way, but locks may have monthly fees. If you want a free freeze guaranteed by federal law, then opt for a freeze, not a lock.Year-long fraud alertsA fraud alert tells businesses that check your credit that they should check with you before opening a new account. Starting September 21, 2018, when you place a fraud alert, it will last one year, instead of 90 days. Fraud alerts will still be free and identity theft victims can still get an extended fraud alert for seven years.Credit freezes and the militaryIf you’re in the military, you’ll still have access to active duty alerts, which let you place a fraud alert for one year, renewable for the time you’re deployed. The active duty alert also gives you an added benefit: the credit reporting agencies will take your name off their marketing lists for prescreened credit card offers for two years (unless you ask them to add you back on).You can place a fraud alert or active duty alert by visiting any one of the three nationwide credit reporting agencies – Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. The one that you contact must notify the other two. You also can find links to their websites at IdentityTheft.gov/CreditBureauContacts.Issues with a credit freezeIf you think a credit reporting agency is not placing a credit freeze or fraud alert properly, you can submit a complaint online or by calling 855-411-2372. If you think someone stole your identity, visit the FTC’s website, IdentityTheft.gov, to get a personalized recovery plan that walks you through the steps to take.For more information, check out Place a Fraud Alert, Extended Fraud Alerts and Credit Freezes, and Credit Freeze FAQs. And if you’re considering a child credit freeze, you also may want to read Child Identity Theft.