Wizzard
1 May 2007, 20:44
Most people do not realize there are two different types of fraud alerts. The first fraud alert is simply picking up the telephone or going on line and requesting a fraud alert. What most people are not aware of is the duration.
Just by picking up the phone or going online and requesting a fraud alert will get one started. What people don't know is this type of fraud alert is only good for 90 days! This is good if you are not sure if you are a victim or not. It will give you adequate time to check to see if you have been victimized or not.
Let's hope the next type is never needed. It is called the extended fraud alert and is good for seven years. In order to obtain an extended fraud alert a person will need to submit a written request and a copy of a police report indicating THEY ARE A VICTIM of identity theft. In some instances this is not necessary. This is the case where a large company database has been compromised. Large companies, on occassion, have requested extended fraud alerts for their clients who identity may have been compromised.
The most important thing to remember when requesting an extended fraud alert is contact information. This information must be kept current. Credit bureaus will contact you if they see a credit request. If the credit report has no way to contact you...the request is stopped. This can stop problems and it can cause problems. If you are the one trying to get credit and your contact numbers are not up to date the application will be denied. In some cases, the credit bureaus have contacted local authorities to report possible identity theft. It is very embarassing for a police unit to show up and question you about applying for credit.
JUST MAKE SURE ALL CONTACT NUMBERS ARE UP TO DATE!!!
Just by picking up the phone or going online and requesting a fraud alert will get one started. What people don't know is this type of fraud alert is only good for 90 days! This is good if you are not sure if you are a victim or not. It will give you adequate time to check to see if you have been victimized or not.
Let's hope the next type is never needed. It is called the extended fraud alert and is good for seven years. In order to obtain an extended fraud alert a person will need to submit a written request and a copy of a police report indicating THEY ARE A VICTIM of identity theft. In some instances this is not necessary. This is the case where a large company database has been compromised. Large companies, on occassion, have requested extended fraud alerts for their clients who identity may have been compromised.
The most important thing to remember when requesting an extended fraud alert is contact information. This information must be kept current. Credit bureaus will contact you if they see a credit request. If the credit report has no way to contact you...the request is stopped. This can stop problems and it can cause problems. If you are the one trying to get credit and your contact numbers are not up to date the application will be denied. In some cases, the credit bureaus have contacted local authorities to report possible identity theft. It is very embarassing for a police unit to show up and question you about applying for credit.
JUST MAKE SURE ALL CONTACT NUMBERS ARE UP TO DATE!!!