 TITLE: What Is a Fraud Alert? CONTENT: Does a Fraud Alert Affect Credit?\n---------------------------------\nA fraud alert has no impact at all on the contents of your credit report, or on the credit scores derived from the data stored in your credit report. It therefore can neither help nor hurt your ability to qualify for a loan or credit card.\nA fraud alert can hinder your ability to get instant approval for credit card or in-store credit offers you encounter online or at retail outlets. The automated approval systems used for these offers may not be equipped to handle the identity-confirmation steps fraud alerts require. So while you cannot not be disqualified for a credit offer due to a fraud alert, you may have to contact retailer reps by phone or in-person to complete your application. END