How do I remove a fraud alert from my credit report? This question is about Credit Reports

You can remove a fraud alert from your credit reports by contacting all three credit bureaus directly or by letting the fraud alert expire on its own. Depending on what kind of fraud alert you selected, the alert will be automatically removed after one year (initial fraud alert) or seven years (extended fraud alert). If you want to remove a fraud alert before it expires, you can generally do so online or over the phone with each credit bureau. Requesting removal by mail may be an option, as well. The alert should be removed within a few minutes if you make the request online. Phone requests should be processed pretty quickly, too. If you request removal via mail, it may take a few days after your request is received. How to Remove a Fraud Alert From Your Credit Report: Verify your identity and gather documentation for your fraud alert. The easiest way to remove a fraud alert is by requesting removal through your online account with each credit bureau. If you choose another method, the credit bureaus may ask for your Social Security number, among other information, to verify your identity. If you received any documentation when you placed the fraud alert, it’s also helpful to have that nearby. Contact Experian. Upload documents online through Experian’s fraud center. Or mail a written request and proof of identification to: Experian, PO Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013. Contact Equifax. Remove your fraud alert through your Equifax account, or request removal by calling 800-525-6285. Alternatively, mail a written request and proof of identification to: Equifax Information Services LLC, PO Box 105069, Atlanta, GA 30348. Contact TransUnion. Log into your TransUnion account and remove the fraud alert online. If you have difficulty using the online portal, contact TransUnion at 888-909-8872 for assistance. Wait for confirmation. After the credit bureaus receive your request, they will remove your fraud alert and provide confirmation when the process is complete. Remember, you can always add another fraud alert at a later date if it seems appropriate. You can read more in our fraud alerts guide.

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How do I remove a fraud alert from my credit report?

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This question is about Credit Reports

WalletHub, Financial Company

@WalletHub • 06/15/20 This answer was first published on 07/18/19 and it was last updated on 06/15/20.For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

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You can remove a fraud alert from your credit reports by contacting all three credit bureaus directly or by letting the fraud alert expire on its own. Depending on what kind of fraud alert you selected, the alert will be automatically removed after one year (initial fraud alert) or seven years (extended fraud alert).

If you want to remove a fraud alert before it expires, you can generally do so online or over the phone with each credit bureau. Requesting removal by mail may be an option, as well. The alert should be removed within a few minutes if you make the request online. Phone requests should be processed pretty quickly, too. If you request removal via mail, it may take a few days after your request is received.

How to Remove a Fraud Alert From Your Credit Report:

Verify your identity and gather documentation for your fraud alert. The easiest way to remove a fraud alert is by requesting removal through your online account with each credit bureau. If you choose another method, the credit bureaus may ask for your Social Security number, among other information, to verify your identity. If you received any documentation when you placed the fraud alert, it’s also helpful to have that nearby.
Contact Experian. Upload documents online through Experian’s fraud center. Or mail a written request and proof of identification to: Experian, PO Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013.
Contact Equifax. Remove your fraud alert through your Equifax account, or request removal by calling 800-525-6285. Alternatively, mail a written request and proof of identification to: Equifax Information Services LLC, PO Box 105069, Atlanta, GA 30348.
Contact TransUnion. Log into your TransUnion account and remove the fraud alert online. If you have difficulty using the online portal, contact TransUnion at 888-909-8872 for assistance.
Wait for confirmation. After the credit bureaus receive your request, they will remove your fraud alert and provide confirmation when the process is complete.

Remember, you can always add another fraud alert at a later date if it seems appropriate. You can read more in our fraud alerts guide.

WalletHub, Financial Company

@WalletHub • 02/19/18 This answer was first published on 06/30/17 and it was last updated on 02/19/18.For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

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You can remove an extended fraud alert at any time by contacting the credit bureau(s) whose report you placed an alert on. And you can do that online in just a couple of minutes.

All the particulars, including contact information for each credit bureau, can be found in WalletHub’s fraud alert guide. And you can check your latest TransUnion credit report for free on WalletHub to confirm the alert’s removal.

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People also ask

Does adding a fraud alert affect my credit score?

Adding a fraud alert to your credit reports will not affect your credit scores or your creditworthiness in any way.

Fraud alerts are messages that you can add to your credit report from each major credit bureau (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) indicating that you believe you may be a potential victim of identity theft.… read full answer

Therefore, when potential creditors ask to view your credit report, they will be notified that further steps are needed to verify your identity. That won't impact your credit score. It may just delay the approval of a credit application until your identity can be verified by the lender.

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How can I get rid of the extended fraud alert?

You can remove an extended fraud alert at any time by contacting the credit bureau(s) whose report you placed an alert on. And you can do that online in just a couple of minutes.

All the particulars, including contact information for each credit bureau, can be found in WalletHub’s fraud alert guide… read full answer. And you can check your latest TransUnion credit report for free on WalletHub to confirm the alert’s removal.

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What is an active duty fraud alert?

An active-duty fraud alert is a designation that you can add to your credit report in the hopes of preventing identity theft and fraud while you’re deployed for military service. An active-duty alert lasts for one year and can be renewed for the length of your deployment (or removed sooner, if you wish). There is no charge for either adding or removing an active-duty alert.… read full answer

How to Request an Active Duty Fraud Alert:

Reach out to a credit bureau. You can contact the credit bureaus online, by mail, or over the phone to request an active-duty fraud alert. Once you request a fraud alert at any of the three credit bureaus, that bureau will coordinate with the other two to make sure they set up fraud alerts as well. However, we recommend contacting all three bureaus to ensure your request is handled properly. You will need to verify your identity through your Social Security number in order for your request to be processed.

Reevaluate after one year. After one year has passed, the alert will automatically disappear. So if you are back from deployment, there’s nothing to do. If you want to extend your alert, you renew it with the credit bureaus.

What to Expect With An Active Duty Fraud Alert:

The alert requires lenders to take certain “additional steps” to verify your identity when a request for credit is submitted in your name, according to the Federal Trade Commission. These steps aren’t specified, though. They’re instead left to the discretion of lenders, which means there’s ultimately no guarantee the alert will provide any benefit. An unfortunately large number of lenders, particularly creditors offering instant approval, ignore this type of alert altogether. And it won’t stop utility accounts from being opened, either.

Still, having an active-duty fraud alert on your credit report is better than nothing, and not just for the chance that a scrupulous lender follows the rules to a T. It could also lend context to missed payments and other financial difficulties that you might experience while focused on more important matters than your credit history. It could even explain to a potential lender why your request for credit is originating from another country. Plus, it will automatically exempt you from those pesky prescreened offers for credit cards and insurance policies for two years.

Contact the Credit Bureaus About an Active-Duty Alert:

TransUnion - 1-800-680-7289

Equifax - 1-800-525-6285

Experian - 1-888-397-3742

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