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.
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.
Starting Score: 557 (2005)