How can I find out if my fraud alert is still in effect?

[Anonymous]

HI all,

I added a credit fraud alert with Experian around April because I lost some tax documents somewhere and I was worried that whoever who picked it up might use it. Nothing really happened and I thought the credit fraud alert would expire automatically in July. I applied for a credit card about 3 months and 2 weeks after the time when I added the credit fruad alert. To my surprise the application was on hold because the credit fraud alert was still there. I straightened it out with the credit card issuer eventually but I am wondering how I can find out whether the alert is still there. Do I have to call Experian, or all 3 of them? Thanks!

[llecs]

I believe if you place a FA on one, it automatically gets placed on all 3. Did that CC pull EX, or could it have been the others? I think you need to call all 3 to clear it.

[Anonymous]

Based on the credit pulls database from various places it looks like it's EX. I haven't gotten an EX credit report to confirm this though (I used my free annual one earlier).

I guess I have to call all 3 then. Thanks

[RobertEG]

Yes, FCRA 605A (d) provides for referral of fraud alerts received from a consumer to the other CRAs (FCRA 605A(a)(1)(B)), and the other CRAs have the authority to enter such fraud alerts in their files "as though the agency received the request from the consumer directly."

Section 605(d) expressly states that it is the statutory intent of the faud alert procedure to make it s simple and easy for the consumer as possible, and specifically refers to the use of the telephone with respect to these matters.  So call them.  However, they may require proof of your identity before providing any information over the phone, and if they request this in writing, you will be a bit limited in your ability to get this information over the phone.