Fraud Alert on Equifax - not placed by me

[Anonymous]

Hi All!  In May 23, I discovered that a Fraud Alert had been placed on my Equifax credit report.  This meant that I could not receive my free credit report online.

I was told that the Fraud alert was added to the account by me but, I didn't do this.  Also, the only way to get this off of my report was to send via snail mail a request to have it removed.  Otherwise, it would remain for 90 days.

My understanding of a fraud alert is that if you request this at one of the credit agencies, they are all supposed to be notified.  Lucky for me, I only had this issue with Equifax.

I waited out the 90 days while working on my TransUnion and Experian disputes. Aug 28, I tried to get my Equifax report and found out that there was still a problem with my account.  I ended up talking to 4 different people, all who tried to sell me one of their Gold packages.  They even went as far as telling me if I purchased their service, I could get my report online.

I asked them why I couldn't view online and they told me that there was inconsistent information between my security questions and what was on my file.  I asked them repeatedly, was there still a Fraud Alert or Security Freeze on my account.  Their answer was No, there wasn't anything like that on my account.  I did not want to pay for my report and I was fed up with them so, I ended up requesting a report to be mailed to me.

I received my report today and under the ALERTS section, they have listed: FRAUD ALERT, File blocked for Promotional Purposes!!  While I figured as much, I can't believe that they actually have this listed on my report.

Can they legally block me from receiving my free report online?  Can they place a Fraud alert on my behalf without my permission...for Promotional Purposes??

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Promotional purposes mean when CC companies and other creditors send you those "pre-approved" offers. They usually do a soft pull or "promotional inquiry" on your CR before hand.

That is blocked by "opting out".

[Anonymous]

Thanks Sidewinder! 

The report looks like this:

Alerts: Fraud Alert

           File Blocked For Promotional Purposes

So, you are right, this is probably two separate things.  But, it doesn't explain why I still have a Fraud alert on my account?  Especially since Equifax stated that I didn't have one on there in late August.

Also, I haven't requested to "opt" out of any promotional offers.  So, it is strange that this is on my account?

I guess I am going to have to call during the 9 - 5 window of opportunity.

Thanks!

Message Edited by headoutofthesand on 09-10-2008 05:33 PM

[Anonymous]

You would not be the first person to call EQ an tell them you have a FA and they say you don't-

Mine was off a few hours after I got off the phone though-

Message Edited by Timothy on 09-10-2008 07:19 PM

[haulingthescoreup]

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@Anonymous wrote:

You would not be the first person to call EQ an tell them you have a FA and they say you don't-

Mine was off a few hours after I got off the phone though-

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I would have liked to have listened in on that conversation.

[Anonymous]

Yeah - I wonder why my EQ score is lower than the other 2. 

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@haulingthescoreup wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

You would not be the first person to call EQ an tell them you have a FA and they say you don't-

Mine was off a few hours after I got off the phone though-

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I would have liked to have listened in on that conversation.

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