topic Fraud Alert? in General Credit Topics

Fraud Alert?

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 13:00:46 GMT

I have a fraud alert on my account and I'm not sure how it got there? What does it mean exactly? Is it hurting me? Do I need to call the CRA's to get them off?

Re: Fraud Alert?

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 14:42:26 GMT

I got my FA by disputing something as "Not Mine".

It adds an extra step when you try to obtain credit. The creditor has to verify your identity - so no instant approvals. Once it is added to 1 CRA they share it with the other 2.

TransUnion will remove with a phone call, you may have to press a bit but they will.

Equifax YMMV. First time they removed with a phone call, SECOND time they required I fax or mail them including forms of ID.

Experian will only remove if you send it in the mail.

Re: Fraud Alert?

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 15:04:04 GMT

It's not hurting you; in fact, it could be beneficial to have FAs on your reports. Initial FAs stay on for 90 days. It's a bit of an extra hassle if you are applying for credit (have to verify your ID),but it's a level of protection against ID thieves trying to open accounts in your name although it's not foolproof. Plus you get free credit reports.

Technically, you can only request FAs to be placed if you think you've been victim of ID theft or you've lost your wallet, etc.

Re: Fraud Alert?

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 15:37:37 GMT

Now it makes sense why I never get any pre-approvals! I will probably just leave them on if it's not hurting me. How can I get free credit reports from having FA's?

Thanks!!

Re: Fraud Alert?

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 16:21:33 GMT

bsf56 wrote:
Now it makes sense why I never get any pre-approvals! I will probably just leave them on if it's not hurting me. How can I get free credit reports from having FA's?

Thanks!!

Normally when you place a FA, the CRAs send you a notice which tells you how to order them. You could try calling the CRAs and asking for the reports, but it's a bit risky because you didn't place the FAs in the first place. Although the worst I imagine that will happen is that they remove the FAs, which was what you originally wanted to do

Re: Fraud Alert?

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 16:41:28 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:
Now it makes sense why I never get any pre-approvals! I will probably just leave them on if it's not hurting me. How can I get free credit reports from having FA's?
Thanks!!

Normally when you place a FA, the CRAs send you a notice which tells you how to order them. You could try calling the CRAs and asking for the reports, but it's a bit risky because you didn't place the FAs in the first place. Although the worst I imagine that will happen is that they remove the FAs, which was what you originally wanted to do

Have you ever had an FA? The CRAs are NOT going to remove them just because you're asking for a free Credit Report. I got nailed with a 7 year FA which is only supposed to happen if I go file a police report and request it.

Re: Fraud Alert?

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 17:09:39 GMT

Have you ever had an FA? The CRAs are NOT going to remove them just because you're asking for a free Credit Report. I got nailed with a 7 year FA which is only supposed to happen if I go file a police report and request it.

I had a 7 year on 2 CRA, and a regular one on the third, and recently had all three removed very easily.

You must submit a written request that contains identifying information including your

name
address
Social Security number
date of birth
telephone number
Also send copies of two documents verifying your current address, such as current utility bills and your driver’s license

Send your written requests to each of the addresses below. You should consider using certified mail and/or overnight delivery since your request contains sensitive information. (I did not use certified mail, but I did put it directly into the mail box outside of the post office so no one would have access to take the info)

Equifax

Equifax Consumer Fraud Division
PO Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374

TransUnion

TransUnion
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834

Experian

Experian
P.O. Box 9532
Allen, TX 75013

I got the info from this site http://www.idtheftawareness.com/docs/FraudAlerts.php

I also wanted to add that some credit cardapplications are flat out denied because of fraud alert, which the companies are allowed to do if the feel like it.

Message Edited by meg on 08-15-2007 10:09 AM

Re: Fraud Alert?

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 17:42:41 GMT

As I said earlier... Written request is only necessary for Experian. The correct amount of nudging over the phone will have TU and EQ removing it immediately. TU removed within 20 minutes and EQ within 4 hours. Experian would only remove after getting a request in writing.

Re: Fraud Alert?

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 17:50:45 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:
Now it makes sense why I never get any pre-approvals! I will probably just leave them on if it's not hurting me. How can I get free credit reports from having FA's?
Thanks!!

Normally when you place a FA, the CRAs send you a notice which tells you how to order them. You could try calling the CRAs and asking for the reports, but it's a bit risky because you didn't place the FAs in the first place. Although the worst I imagine that will happen is that they remove the FAs, which was what you originally wanted to do

Have you ever had an FA? The CRAs are NOT going to remove them just because you're asking for a free Credit Report. I got nailed with a 7 year FA which is only supposed to happen if I go file a police report and request it.

Yes, I have FAs on all 3 CRs right now for 90 days because I requested them. My point to OP was that he could get them removed (which was what he wanted to do) or if he didn't remove them, it MIGHT be an option to get the reports (which I wasn't necessarily recommending).

Re: Fraud Alert?

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 18:32:55 GMT

ohhh Ok - clearer now!

I thought you were saying that since OP didn't request the FA if he asked for the free reports they would just remove the FA for no reason at all.

Re: Fraud Alert?

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 18:36:19 GMT

I actually reads, "EXTENDED FRAUD ALERT"....is there a difference?

I will probably just leave it alone...as long as it's not hurting me.

Re: Fraud Alert?

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 18:46:49 GMT

bsf56 wrote:
I actually reads, "EXTENDED FRAUD ALERT"....is there a difference?

I will probably just leave it alone...as long as it's not hurting me.

Mine says "DANGER WILL ROBINSON!"

Extended FA is for 7 years -- significantly longer than 90 days -- and you supposedly can get one only if you provide a police report of ID theft. If you didn't place the FA on your file, someone at a CRA must have messed up (imagine!) and put it there.

You'll have to decide whether to keep it on (even though you're technically not entitled to it, and it may cause some difficulties whenever you apply for credit) or take it off.

Re: Fraud Alert?

Anonymous — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 20:08:16 GMT

Hi guys,

Should I see the fraud alert when I pull my report via myfico? I called true credit today to set up a 3 and 1 account and they advised me that I have a fraud alert on my file. Also Ive read that the alert lasts 90 days. TU said mine went into effect on 6/3, which means it will fall off in 2 days.

WBLAKE

Re: Fraud Alert?

hyprble — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 18:24:08 GMT

Hello,

Sorry to bump up an old thread, but this seemed to be the closest topic to what I am experiencing. I received a letter in the mail from TU and EQ informing me that I have an "Initial Fraud Alert requested by you or on your behalf"

Will this automatically fall off within 90 days? I never requested these alerts at all. I did ask for a CLI on one of my cards, and confirmed with the rep that it would be a soft pull, not a hard pull, and that this would not count on my credit report. Later, a credit analyst called me up to deny me, and when I found out it was a hard pull, I explained that I asked multiple times and was told this would be a soft pull. He said they'd take care of it, but I didn't know it would involve all these other things I did not ask for.

I guess there's no harm in having this added protection, but I was hoping to prequalify/apply for an AMEX, and I understand these Fraud Alerts prohibit my getting any kind of promotional offers. Is there a way to remove these alerts, or is it just better to ride this out? (I don't want to make an even bigger mess!)

My lesson learned: never trust CCC customer service reps on CR pulls.