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