Identity Theft
Alert
Credit Agencies Have Simplified the Process
for Reporting Identity Theft!
As of April 16,
2003, the three nationwide credit bureaus, Equifax,
Experian and TransUnion, have made it easier for identity
theft victims. Now you need only call one of the three
bureaus, and they'll notify the others.
Credit bureau phone numbers to place a fraud alert
Call just one to report identity theft!
Equifax 1.(800) 525-6285
Experian 1 (888).397-3742
TransUnion 1 (800) 680-7289

The ID Fraud Initiative
Each company
follows a standardized three-step process to post a
security alert on the credit file, opt the victim out of
preapproved offers of credit or insurance and mail the
victim a copy of his or her credit file.
When you call the credit bureau, here's what
happens...
The company receiving your call issues an electronic
notification to the other two credit reporting companies of the
crime
A fraud alert is put on your credit report at all three
nationwide credit reporting companies within 24 hours;
You, as the victim, will be opted out of all preapproved
offers of credit and insurance for two years;
The credit bureau will process your request for a copy of
your free credit report within three business days.
Note: For a small charge, you can get all 3
bureaus in an instant online credit report here, and you need
not be an identity theft victim.
Deleting Fraudulent Data from your Credit
Report
Each of the three national credit reporting companies will
work with the you to verify information in their respective
credit reports and to delete any fraudulent data.
File a Police Report, Get Immediate Credit Report
Corrections!
If you file a police report, the process is even quicker.
The credit reporting companies will voluntarily expedite
services for victims by immediately deleting fraudulent data
without the usual reinvestigation procedure.
What happens with a Fraud Alert?
The fraud alert is displayed by each national credit
reporting agency to all lenders or other users that access your
credit reports in the future. Once notified a consumer has been
a victim of ID fraud, lenders can then avoid opening a
fraudulent account.
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