 TITLE: How Fraud Alerts Can Affect Credit Applications CONTENT: How Does a Fraud Alert Work?\n----------------------------\nIf you've placed a fraud alert on your credit report, lenders will know to verify your identity before they process applications for credit or loans requested in your name.\nThere are special fraud alerts designed for U.S. service members on remote assignment (the active-duty fraud alert), and for victims of identity theft who have submitted fraud complaints to law enforcement (extended fraud victim alert), but anyone can request the most basic type of fraud alert anytime, for any reason.\nThe most basic fraud alert (known as a temporary fraud alert or an initial fraud alert) expires after one year, as does an active-duty fraud alert. An extended fraud victim alert remains on your credit report for seven years unless you remove it before then. Fraud alerts are free, and you can renew them as many times as you like. END