In an era where identity theft and fraudulent credit activity are prevalent, it is imperative that consumers have security tools to keep their financial lives protected. Luckily, the three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – along with the federal government have implemented steps that consumers can take to help safeguard their personal information.
The first defense against the fraudulent use of your personal information is placing a fraud alert on your credit file before or shortly after you are the victim of identity theft, or if you suspect your personal information has been compromised.
What is a Credit Fraud Alert?
A credit fraud alert is a temporary notice placed on your credit file that prompts creditors for new credit applications to take added steps to verify your identity before opening an account. Whether it is a new credit card, personal loan, auto loan, mortgage, or line of credit, a fraud alert adds a barrier between an identity thief and an unknowing lender.
Initial and active duty fraud alerts on your credit reports are provided for free to individuals whether or not they have been the victim of identity theft or fraudulent credit activity, and are in force for one year. While these fraud alerts are sufficient for most individuals, an extended fraud alert lasting for seven years can be requested by victims of identity theft too, at no cost.
The process of placing a fraud alert varies among the three major credit bureaus and is most commonly achieved by submitting a request via the agency’s website, over the phone, or via certified mail.
Removing a Fraud Alert from Your Credit Reports
To remove a fraud alert from your credit report you can either let it expire after 1 year for initial and active duty alerts, or 7 years for an extended alert. Or request to have it removed manually.
By law, when you add a fraud alert with one credit bureau, that company is supposed to notify the other two credit reporting companies of your request. That is so you can get the fraud alert in place as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, when you want the fraud alerts removed, you will likely have to contact each of the three credit bureaus separately.
Each credit bureau varies slightly in how active duty, initial, and extended credit fraud alerts can be removed from a credit report prior to their expiration date but they are generally the same.
Follow these steps to remove a fraud alert with each of the 3 main credit reporting agencies listed below.
Remove Equifax Fraud Alert
Active duty and initial fraud alerts with Equifax will get removed automatically when they expire, 12 months from when they were activated. Extended fraud alerts will be removed after 7 years.
However, you can also call Equifax at 1-888-836-6351 to have a fraud alert removed or make the request in writing. The written request should include verification of your personal information and can be mailed to Equifax using the mailing address below.
Equifax Removal Address
Equifax Information Services LLC
PO Box 105069
Atlanta, GA 30348-5069
Additional information concerning adding, updating, or removing Equifax fraud alerts can be found on its website. You can create an online account to initiate a fraud alert through myEquifax but not remove the fraud alert there at this time.
Remove Experian Fraud Alert
Active duty and initial fraud alerts with Experian will also get removed automatically when they expire, 12 months from when they originated. Extended fraud alerts will automatically fall off after 7 years.
Like the other two credit bureaus, you can request a fraud alert be removed manually before it expires with Experian. The company prefers that you do it online, but you can also submit your request through the mail or make it via the telephone at 1-888-397-3742 (1-888-EXPERIAN).
Experian Removal Address
Experian
PO Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
More information regarding adding, updating, or removing Experian fraud alerts can be found on its website. You must create an Experian account to manage your fraud alert online.
Remove TransUnion Fraud Alert
Like Equifax and Experian, initial and active duty fraud alerts with TransUnion will drop off automatically when they expire, 12 months after they were initiated. Extended fraud alerts will be removed after 7 years.
You can also request the TransUnion fraud alert be removed before it expires by managing it online, sending the request by mail, or calling customer service at 1-800-916-8800.
TransUnion Removal Address
TransUnion Fraud Victim Assistance
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016
If you need additional details about adding, updating, or removing TransUnion fraud alerts, you can visit its website. You will need to create a TransUnion account to manage your fraud alert online.
Tips for Written Fraud Alert Removal Requests
At a minimum, written requests should include the following information:
- Your request
- Full name
- Social Security number (SSN)
- Date of birth (DOB)
- A government-issued identification card, such as a passport or driver’s license
- Complete addresses for the past two years
- Copy of a bank or utility statement
This information should be enough to honor your request, however, it would be best to check with each of their websites. Especially when removing an extended alert. Verify each copy is legible and displays your name, current mailing address, and issue date before sending it to them.
If you have trouble getting rid of an initial, extended, or active duty fraud alert tied to your credit history report please let us know.