Low Cost Car Insurance - Where to Cut Costs

Insurance is great place to start if you want to cut down on you monthly bills. Here is how. - Gavin Bloom

Dallas Mortgages

The word mortgage comes from joining two words, the French word "mort," which means "dead," and "gag ... - Jennifer Bailey

Car Insurance: Are Your Eyes Roadworthy?

It?s not just your car that needs to be in full working order, you do too ? as this article explains ... - Michael Challiner

The Best Rates on Life Insurance

Finding the best rates on life insurance is difficult any longer. With a few simple key strokes you ... - Rolf Rasmusson

Are IVAs Suitable to Benefits Claimants?

A new option when faced with bankruptcy, IVAs can look very attractive, however the question has ari ... - Diana Middleton

Main Page » Finance & Investment » Annual Credit Reports

Fraud Alert: A New Tool To Protect Your Credit

There's good news for anyone who worries that their financial information has fallen into the wrong hands. Consumers now have a new tool at their disposal; they can place a "Fraud Alert" on their credit file.

Fraud Alerts help prevent anyone from opening new accounts in your name. They act as a red flag on your credit report, visible only when businesses access your file to possibly extend you credit. To place an alert on your account, call one of the three credit reporting agencies and ask them to flag your credit file for fraud. Within 24 hours, an alert will be attached to your credit file and your name will be removed from pre- approved credit and insurance applications for two years.

Types Of Fraud Alerts

An "Initial Alert" will be active on your credit report for 90 days. Use this if someone has gained access to personal information that could be used to open accounts in your name, such as your Social Security number or your date of birth. Once an initial alert is in place, potential creditors will need to verify your identification prior to extending credit, so you should provide them with a phone number where you can be easily reached. The alert will help to ensure that you are the only one opening accounts in your name.

An "Extended Alert" is recommended if your identity has been stolen. With an extended alert, your credit file will remain guarded for seven years. In addition, your name will be removed from lists marketing prescreened credit offers for five years. In order to qualify for an extended fraud alert, you will need to provide proof of identity theft, such as a police report.

Active duty members of the military are eligible for a "Military Fraud Alert." This alert allows members of the military on active duty to prevent anyone from opening accounts in their name while they are overseas.

Helpful Hints

? Experian, Equifax and Trans- Union (the three credit-reporting agencies) share data, so after calling one company, the other two will be notified.

? If you need to apply for a loan during the period that your credit file is on alert, notify your lender.

? To remove a fraud alert, you will need to send requests in writing to one of the three credit- reporting agencies.

Author: Theodore Hummings

Author Bio:

To learn more about sending money transfers safely, visit www.westernunion.com. It's a good idea to never use a money transfer service to send funds to someone you don't know.

This article can be searched using: Fraud Alert: A New Tool To Protect Your Credit, Finance & Investment, Annual Credit Reports

Healthy and Frugal Grocery Shopping

Bad Credit? Can't Get a Credit Card? Yes You Can!

Details of the WorldPerks Visa Application

Is Your Credit Rating In Danger?

Credit Card Company Tricks

10 Ways To Save On Car Insurance

Credit Counseling - Can It Get You Into More Trouble?

Travel Insurance

How To Deal With Credit Card Mail Offers

Be Prepared to Pay Closing Costs



Tour & Travel

Self Healing

Fashion & Relationships

Realty & Property

Culture & Art

Automobiles

Fitness & Health

Online & Indoor Games

Software & Networking

Recreation & Entertainment

Shopping Online

Healthcare & Medicine

Careers & Employment

Sports

Business & Commerce

Events & News

Children

Finance & Investment

Government & Politics

Eating & Drinking

Garden & Home

Education & Reference

Science & Research

Society & Communities

Main Page -> Privacy Policy -> Terms & Conditions

Fraud Alert: A New Tool To Protect Your Credit

Related Articles