 TITLE: How to Place a Fraud Alert CONTENT: Does Placing a Fraud Alert Hurt My Credit?\n------------------------------------------\nPlacing a fraud alert on your credit report has no effect whatsoever on your credit standing. The requirement that creditors verify your identity may limit your ability to get instant approval on in-store or online credit card applications, or financing at in-store kiosks (at cellphone and computer retailers, for instance). A credit alert may require you to take a few extra steps, such as talking with a service rep in the store or by phone, but by law a fraud alert cannot prevent you from being approved for a loan or credit if you qualify for it.\nIf you suspect your personal information has been compromised or that criminals have stolen your identity or are trying to do so, placing a fraud alert on your credit report is an easy form of protection you can initiate yourself quickly and easily, and remove whenever you like. END