Identity Theft Questions
- How do I file a Identy Fraud that is on my credit report
- What is a Credit Freeze?
- How do I place a Security Freeze on my credit file?
- Is there a charge for a Security Freeze?
- How long does a Security Freeze stay on my credit report?
- How do I remove a Security Freeze?
- What is a fraud alert?
- How do I request a fraud alert be placed?
- Do I need to call all 3 national credit bureau systems to place fraud alerts?
- What is in a Fraud Alert Victim’s Statement?
Q. How do I file a Identy Fraud that is on my credit report
A. Here is a link to Identity Theft information on our web site:
http://www.creditreporting.com/identity-fraud.html
Q. What is a Credit Freeze?
A. A Credit Freeze is better known as a Security Freeze. In certain states
consumers are allowed to put a Security Freeze on their credit report under state
law. A Security Freeze means your credit report cannot be accessed by third
parties such as credit lenders and other companies without your consent except
as provided by law. Additionally with a Security Freeze, credit bureaus
cannot accept new name and/or address information on you from companies that
report such information. For example if you change to a married name or
change your address, and report the new information to your credit card company,
the credit bureau may not accept the new information when it is reported to the
credit bureau by the credit card company.
Q. How do I place a Security Freeze on my credit file?
A. To place a Security Freeze on your credit report, you must contact
the credit bureau directly. Credit bureaus do not share
Security Freeze information, so you must contact each of the 3
national credit bureaus separately to put freezes on all three
of your credit reports.
Q. Is there a charge for a Security Freeze?
A. It may cost to put a freeze on your report. The cost is may
depend on whether or not you are a victim of identity fraud., and
whether your state law allows fees for the service. Check with
the credit bureau directly about their fees.
Q. How long does a Security Freeze stay on my credit report?
A. A Security Freeze stays on your credit report until you remove it.
Q. How do I remove a Security Freeze?
A. You must contact each credit bureau directly about lifting your Security
Freeze. There may be fees involved.
You can remove your Security Freeze temporarily (3 to 30 days) or permanently.
Lifting your Security Freeze temporarily allows a particular company authorized by you (a specific third party lift) to access your credit report. Or you may allow companies in general with a permissible purpose to access your credit report (a global lift).
A fraud alert is statement that can be placed on your credit file to let potential creditors and others know that you may or have been a victim of identity theft.
An initial fraud alert stays on your file for at least 90 days. An initial fraud alert may be appropriate for your credit file when you may be a victim of identity theft, for example, when you lose or misplace your wallet.
An extended fraud alert is placed when you know you are victim of identity theft. An extended fraud alert stays on your file for 7 years. If you ask for an extended fraud alert, you will normally have to provide an Identity Theft Report.
How do I request a fraud alert be placed?
To place a fraud alert on your credit file, you can call one of the 3 national credit bureaus.
- Experian 1-888-397-3742
- Equifax 1-800-525-6285
- TransUnion 1-800-680-7289
Do I need to call all 3 national credit bureau systems to place fraud alerts?
The credit bureau system you notify should notify the other two, which must also place fraud alerts on your credit file.
What is in a Fraud Alert Victim’s Statement?
An example Consumer Fraud Statement may be something like this: I may be (or have been) a victim of identity theft. Do not extend credit to me without calling me first at (phone number) and verifying my information.
We are not lawyers or attorneys so don't rely on us for legal advice. We try to answer your questions as a public service, but we do so based on our experience which is limited to credit reporting issues. If you want professional legal advice, you should engage a lawyer to help you with your credit report related questions.
