 TITLE: How Do Fraud Alerts Affect Credit? CONTENT: What Is a Fraud Alert?\n----------------------\nA fraud alert is a notification you can add to your credit reports if you believe or know you have been a victim of identity theft or credit fraud. When an alert is attached to your credit report, any lender who reviews your credit in connection with an application for a loan or credit is required to take extra steps to verify your identity before processing the application. This is designed to prevent thieves from using your credentials to borrow money or make credit card purchases in your name.\nWhen you place a fraud alert on your Experian credit report, Experian automatically notifies the other two national credit bureaus (TransUnion and Equifax) to add alerts to the credit reports they keep on you.\nThere are three types of fraud alert, and you can request any of them at the Experian Fraud Alert page. When requesting any of these alerts, you must provide a copy of a government-issued ID, plus a piece of mail, such as a utility bill or bank statement as proof of address. Supporting documents can be submitted by U.S. mail or scanned and uploaded as electronic files.\n*   **Temporary fraud alert**: This is sometimes called an initial fraud alert. If you suspect your personal information has been used fraudulently, or even just worry that it may be subject to abuse because of suspicious account activity or a data breach, you can add a temporary fraud alert to your credit report. Unless you decide to remove it sooner, a temporary fraud alert will stay on your credit reports for one year and then expire. You can renew it as many times as you like.\n*   **Active-duty fraud alert**: U.S. service members can use an active-duty fraud alert to inform potential lenders that they are on assignment and that their identities should be confirmed before processing any loan or credit applications. Service members have the option of including a contact phone number in the alert. Like a temporary alert, an active-duty fraud alert remains on your credit report for one year unless you choose to remove it.\n*   **Extended fraud victim alert**: If you know you've been a victim of credit fraud or identity theft and have reported the crime to the authorities, you can obtain an extended fraud alert. This alert stays on your credit reports for seven years unless you decide to remove it sooner. When you request an extended fraud alert, you must submit a copy of the identity theft report you filed with law enforcement. END