Everyone should place a Fraud Alert

In the wake of the Equifax Debacle everyone's identity is at risk. Therefore it makes sense to create a fraud alert. A fraud alert is a simple and free process. You contact one of the three credit reporting agencies and tell them you want one. They alert the other two.

A fraud alert requires a lender to try and verify that the person asking for a credit card in your name or applying for a loan in your name is in fact you. They do this by calling the number you have given the Credit reporting agency. The process takes just a few minutes and is painless.

Here's what I did:

Clicked on the TransUnion Fraud alert link. I had heard that TransUnion handled the process best. Not sure if that is true, but they were very easy to use.
Logged into my TransUnion account. If you don't have one, then create an account with a username, password, and security question. Passwords are limited to 15 characters, but allow symbols. I had an account because I had received a credit report from them at some time in the past.
Checked the box to place the alert
Entered my phone number. This will be given to a creditor so they can verify my identity.
Clicked OK.

That's it. Now, if someone tries to rent an apartment, get a credit card or take out a loan in my name, I will be called.

These alerts only last for a few months. A minimum of 90 days. So I will need to renew mine in a few months. I added a tickler in my calendar. It appears that I'll have to repeat this process every few months.

Resources:

FTC article:
TransUnion page to start the process.
TransUnion landing page for placing or renewing. Add this to your password safe.

Date: October 2017

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

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Home Forms About Current Newsletter subscribe Search All Articles Browse by Category Security Internet Mobile Business Hardware Fun		Everyone should place a Fraud Alert In the wake of the Equifax Debacle everyone's identity is at risk. Therefore it makes sense to create a fraud alert. A fraud alert is a simple and free process. You contact one of the three credit reporting agencies and tell them you want one. They alert the other two. A fraud alert requires a lender to try and verify that the person asking for a credit card in your name or applying for a loan in your name is in fact you. They do this by calling the number you have given the Credit reporting agency. The process takes just a few minutes and is painless. Here's what I did: Clicked on the TransUnion Fraud alert link. I had heard that TransUnion handled the process best. Not sure if that is true, but they were very easy to use. Logged into my TransUnion account. If you don't have one, then create an account with a username, password, and security question. Passwords are limited to 15 characters, but allow symbols. I had an account because I had received a credit report from them at some time in the past. Checked the box to place the alert Entered my phone number. This will be given to a creditor so they can verify my identity. Clicked OK. That's it. Now, if someone tries to rent an apartment, get a credit card or take out a loan in my name, I will be called. These alerts only last for a few months. A minimum of 90 days. So I will need to renew mine in a few months. I added a tickler in my calendar. It appears that I'll have to repeat this process every few months. Resources: FTC article: TransUnion page to start the process. TransUnion landing page for placing or renewing. Add this to your password safe. Date: October 2017 This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
		I attempt to provide reliable information, but make no warranty as to the accuracy or safety of these articles. I disclaim all legal responsibility for what following these instructions may do. Follow my advice at your own risk