| Nowadays more and more people face the problem | | | | proves your fraud alert, it will contact the other two. So |
| of identity theft. How can you realize that you are a | | | | they will place an alert on their versions of your report, |
| victim of identity theft and what can you do to solve | | | | too. If you are not asked, the credit account wouldn't |
| this problem? If your credit card statement includes | | | | be opened. It should be mentioned that it's up to you |
| charges for things you never bought, or you get a call | | | | what kind of fraud alert to choose. If you have chosen |
| (letter), informing that you have been approved or | | | | initial alert, it will remain on your credit reports for 90 |
| denied credit for accounts that you never applied for, | | | | days. While the alert is on your file, perhaps you won't |
| then you are a victim of identity theft. Identity theft | | | | be able to get instant credit. When you file an alert, you |
| means that someone uses your personal identifying | | | | will be eligible for a free credit report from each of the |
| information, like your Social Security number, or credit | | | | three credit reporting agencies. As far as extended |
| card number, without asking you, to commit fraud. If | | | | fraud alert is concerned, it will remain on your credit file |
| you are a victim of identity theft, you are to put a | | | | for seven years. However, you can ask to remove |
| fraud alert on your credit reports and review them. A | | | | the fraud alert before seven-year period run out. The |
| fraud alert is something that credit bureaus attach to | | | | only thing you need is to make this request in writing |
| your credit report. First of all, you are to speak to the | | | | and provide information to confirm your identity. These |
| fraud department of one of the main credit bureaus | | | | procedures are planned to prevent criminals from |
| (Transunion, Equifax, and Experian) to place a fraud | | | | removing fraud alerts from victims' accounts. A fraud |
| alert on your credit file, plus a victim's statement asking | | | | alert provides some protection against identity theft, |
| that creditors call you before granting credit or other | | | | but not in all cases. It will not help you when an identity |
| services. Victim statements may cause delays in | | | | thief uses your existing credit cards or other accounts. |
| getting credit while the creditors try to contact you. | | | | And it will not help you when an identity thief opens |
| When you open a credit account by getting a new | | | | new accounts in your name that do not require credit |
| credit card, the lender will contact you to make sure | | | | check. So, identity theft is very serious. Many victims |
| that you really want to open a new account. Fraud | | | | of identity theft spend much money and time repairing |
| alerts help to prevent an identity thief from opening | | | | damage to their good name and credit score. |
| new accounts in your name. When the credit bureau | | | | |