How to Place a Fraud Alert

If your identity has been stolen, the bad actor who took your information will likely try to commit fraud next. Placing a fraud alert on your credit report is one of the most proactive steps you can take to set up an extra layer of protection.

This helpful guide unpacks how to place fraud alerts on your accounts so you can safeguard your financial information.

How to place a fraud alert

Placing a fraud alert is free, and it doesn’t affect your credit score. You can usually place an alert on your account in just a few minutes.

Here’s how to place fraud alerts on your accounts.

Step 1: Contact one of the three credit bureaus

Fortunately, you only need to make an alert with one of the three major credit bureaus, which are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

You can submit your request online, by phone, or by mail. Submitting a request online is generally the most convenient option. Once the bureau you choose processes your request, it will notify the other two. This service is completely free, and the fraud alert lasts for 12 months.

Step 2: Verify your identity

You’ll be required to confirm your identity with the accepting credit bureau. A representative will typically ask you to provide the following information:

• Full legal name
• Social Security number
• Date of birth
• Current and previous addresses

This step helps ensure that the alert is placed on the correct person’s file. 

Step 3: Choose the type of fraud alert

Next, you’ll be prompted to choose from one of several types of fraud alerts. The bureau will ask questions like whether you’ve already experienced identity theft or whether your request is a precautionary measure due to suspicious activity.

For example, if you receive a request to reset a password on one of your accounts and you didn’t make the request, you may want to make a fraud alert as a precaution. 

Step 4: Confirm placement and monitor your credit

The bureau will verify that the fraud alert has been put in place. Once it’s active, lenders will be instructed to take extra steps to confirm your identity before they can approve new credit. At this point, it’s a good idea to monitor your credit reports for unfamiliar accounts, inquiries, or balance changes.

Types of fraud alerts

There are a few different types of fraud alerts that can be placed on your accounts, including the following:

Initial fraud

An initial fraud alert lasts for one year and is designed for consumers who believe they may be at risk of identity theft but haven’t confirmed that fraud has occurred. Here are some of the key features of an initial fraud alert:

• Free to place and remove
• Requires lenders to confirm your identity before they open new accounts
• Renewable after one year

If you don’t currently have any alerts on your credit reports and haven’t confirmed identity theft, you’ll likely want to ask for an initial fraud alert to be put in place. 

Extended fraud

An extended fraud alert lasts for seven years. It may be an option if you’re a victim of confirmed identity theft and can provide documentation to support your request. Key features include:

• Stronger protection than an initial alert
• Removes you from pre-screened credit and insurance offers
• Requires lenders to contact you directly before approving an application for credit

This is the option you should go with if fraud has already occurred and been verified.

Active duty

Active duty fraud alerts are only available to military service members who are deployed away from their usual duty station. They last for one year, but you can renew them as long as you meet certain deployment requirements.

Many military service members take advantage of this precautionary service, as it’s often more difficult for them to monitor their credit while deployed. 

What happens after you’ve placed a fraud alert?

Now that you know how to place fraud alerts on your accounts, here’s a look at what happens next:

• Your credit data remains accessible
• Lenders will see the notice and be more cautious 
• The alert may increase the turnaround time on legitimate credit applications 

A fraud alert doesn’t block access to your credit report or prevent you from opening new accounts. It also isn’t a substitute for reviewing your credit reports. You should still monitor your financial history and look into any unusual activity promptly. 

If you’re working to rebuild or establish credit after fraud concerns, focus on exhibiting positive, consistent financial behavior. Platforms like Kikoff make it easy to report qualifying activity, such as on-time rent payments, to the credit bureaus.

Conclusion

Knowing how to place a fraud alert gives you an immediate way to protect your credit profile. These solutions are free, fast, and effective. Once you’re ready to shift back into credit-building mode, take advantage of free tools like Kikoff.

With Kikoff, you can report positive financial behavior to strengthen your credit history. Try Kikoff today to start building a positive credit history.