Here
are some important tips on How to recognize fraud alerts, for
shoppers and merchants.
What are fraud alerts and victim
statements?
Fraud alerts let creditors know that fraud has been associated
with your credit report. As a result, creditors may confirm that
they're dealing with you and not an imposter before granting credit
or other services.
Victim statements
tell creditors to contact you before granting credit or other
services. Victim statements may cause delays in getting credit while
the creditor tries to contact you. If you have a cell phone, you may
want to include that number in your statement.
The following charts
describe the current fraud alert and victim statement placement
procedures of the credit bureaus. Please note: TransUnion and
Equifax use a combined fraud alert and victim statement. Be sure to
confirm these procedures when you contact the credit bureaus as they
may change.
INITIAL ALERT
Credit Bureau
Period of Initial Coverage
Can You Request an Alert Online?
Is a Free Credit Report Provided?
TransUnion
12 Months
No
Yes
Equifax
6 Months
No
Yes
Experian
3 Month Fraud Alert
Yes
Yes, can be provided
online
RENEWALS
Credit Bureau
Period of Renewal Coverage
Is a Free Credit Report Provided?
Number of Renewals Allowed
TransUnion
12 Months or 7 Years
Yes
Unlimited
Equifax
6 Months or 7 Years
Yes
Unlimited
Experian
3 Month Fraud Alert or 7 Year
Victim Statement
Source: FTC
The FTC works for the
consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business
practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help
consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a
complaint or to get
free information on
consumer issues, visit
www.ftc.gov or call
toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The
FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other
fraud-related complaints into
Consumer
Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of
civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
Molly's Fund Medical Organizer
- Organize your medical history, medications, and more with Molly's
Med Minder. Exclusive interview with Molly McCabe.
FAQs with Merchants
HealthCare
Finance - CareCredit offers special financing for medical
procedures from Cosmetic Dentistry to LASIK Surgery.
Unmanned
Aircraft Systems - AeroVironment, Inc. is the largest producer of
small UAS in the world today.
Baby
Bassinets - Find out what characterizes a good baby bassinet in this
FAQ with Arm's Reach. Also check out their Pet Beds
exclusive interview.
Southern California Wedding -
Prestine country club setting in Southern California with spectacular views. Exclusive interview
with Sherwood Country Club.
Israel
Biblical Tours - This travel company has archaeologists and scholars
to guide you through the Holy Land.
Church Banners - Exclusive interview with Amplify Designs, the leading manufacturer of Church banners.
CD
Manufacturing - Music Manufacturing Services provides CD's for the
Music Industry all around the world.
Live
Longer... A Science? - David H. Murdock, Chairman of the Dole Food
Company says it is, and he created the luxurious California Health &
Counterfeit
Handbags - "The World Customs Organization estimates the trade in
fakes at about 7 percent of world trade."
Carpet
Cleaning Tips - "Always ask about referrals and if they have a list of
what they do to prepare your carpets for cleaning, and what type of system
do they use..." QA with Sunset Carpet Cleaning
Shopping for
Purses "Whats happening now at a great speed is manufacturers overseas
will see the latest it bag and then duplicate the bag... Price is
primarily why people would buy a knock-off purse as opposed to the real
thing.." Kitsch Purses Q & A
Workers'
Compensation Info "The huge benefit of the Internet is time and
expense savings. The only other way to get all of this information other
than the Internet is at your local law library." FAQ with
WorkCompCentral
Eating
Disorder Treatment - In this FAQ Monte Nido explains how you can find
the right treatment center online.
Planes
Without Pilots Imagine a 3 1/2 foot remote controlled plane that flies
straight up for miles.
Eating
Disorder Help For those dealing with eating disorders, hope is never
too far behind.
Mass
CD Duplication. All of the sudden record labels began relying heavily
on CD manufacturers for the mass production of their clients' albums.
Corporate
Entertainment Corporate meetings are becoming more common in spas than
conference rooms, with room service cuisine rather than with fast food
from drive-thrus.
