A credit card fraud alert tells the credit bureaus that someone may have stolen your information, which makes it harder for a thief to open new accounts in your name
A fraud alert is a flag you place on your credit file at one or more of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. When a fraud alert is active, lenders must verify your identity by phone before they approve new credit in your name. This slows down a thief who has your Social Security number and date of birth but not your phone number.
The alert does not stop someone from using your existing card or account. It does not reverse charges already made. It is a preventive tool that makes it riskier for a criminal to commit identity theft — the act of opening new credit accounts, taking out loans, or making large purchases under your name.
You place a fraud alert by calling one bureau; that bureau is required to notify the other two. The process takes minutes and costs nothing. The alert lasts one year and can be renewed.
Key Takeaways
- A fraud alert requires lenders to call you before approving new credit, which stops most identity theft before accounts are opened.
- You place the alert by calling Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion — whichever you call must notify the other two within 24 hours.
- An initial fraud alert lasts one year; a more restrictive extended alert lasts seven years and requires proof of identity theft.
- A fraud alert does not protect your existing accounts — you must contact your bank and card issuers separately to report fraud on those accounts.
- If you discover fraud on an existing card, dispute the charges with your card issuer before placing a fraud alert.
The difference between a fraud alert and a credit freeze
A fraud alert lets lenders pull your credit report, but they must call you first to confirm you authorized the request. A credit freeze blocks lenders from pulling your report at all unless you temporarily unfreeze it. A freeze is stronger but less convenient — you have to unfreeze your credit every time you explore for a loan, credit card, or apartment.
Most people start with a fraud alert because it stops most identity theft without blocking legitimate credit applications. If you discover that someone has already opened accounts in your name, a credit freeze becomes more useful because it prevents further damage while you work through the fraud cases.
You can use both at the same time. Many people place a fraud alert when ready after discovering fraud, then add a credit freeze once they confirm how much damage was done.
How to place a fraud alert on your credit file
Call the fraud department of any one of the three bureaus. You do not need to call all three — the bureau you call must contact the others within 24 hours. Here are the phone numbers:
- Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
- Experian: 1-888-397-3742
- TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
Have your Social Security number and date of birth ready. The representative will ask you to describe the fraud or the reason you believe your information is at risk. You do not need a police report to place an initial alert, though having one speeds the process. Tell the bureau your current phone number — this is the number lenders will call to verify new credit requests.
After you hang up, the bureau will mail you a confirmation letter within 5 to 10 business days. Keep this letter. You will need it if you want to remove the alert early or if you need to prove you placed it.
What to do about fraud on your existing accounts
A fraud alert does not reverse charges on cards or accounts you already own. If someone used your card number or account without permission, you must report it directly to your card issuer or bank. Call the number on the back of your card or on your statement — not a number you find online, because scammers sometimes create fake fraud lines.
Tell the issuer which charges are fraudulent. Most card issuers will reverse unauthorized charges within 24 to 48 hours and mail you a new card. Federal law limits your liability to $50 per card, and most issuers waive even that if you report fraud quickly. The sooner you call, the less likely the thief can make additional charges.
Ask the issuer whether they will place a fraud alert on your account or flag it for monitoring. Some issuers do this automatically; others require you to request it. This is separate from the credit bureau fraud alert and protects that specific account.
When to use an extended fraud alert instead
An initial fraud alert lasts one year. An extended fraud alert lasts seven years and requires proof that identity theft actually occurred — usually a police report or a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) identity theft report.
Place an extended alert if someone has opened accounts in your name, taken out loans, or caused significant damage. To file an FTC identity theft report, go to IdentityTheft.gov and complete the form. The FTC will give you a report number that you can use when you call the credit bureaus to request the extended alert.
An extended alert is more restrictive than an initial alert. Lenders must still call you, but they may also require additional verification steps. This can slow down your own credit applications, so use it only when the fraud is serious enough to justify the inconvenience.
Monitoring your credit after placing an alert
A fraud alert is a speed bump, not a wall. Check your credit reports regularly to catch fraud that slips through. You can view your credit reports free once per year from each bureau at AnnualCreditReport.com — the only official site for free reports. Some people check one report every four months instead of all three at once, which gives them ongoing monitoring throughout the year.
Look for accounts you do not recognize, inquiries from lenders you did not contact, and addresses or employers you did not provide. If you find fraud on your report, dispute it with the bureau that reported it. The bureau has 30 days to investigate and must remove the item if it cannot verify it.
If you discover new fraud after your initial alert expires, you can renew it or place a new one. There is no limit to how many times you can place alerts.
What happens when a lender calls to verify your identity
When someone applies for credit in your name, the lender will call the phone number you provided when you placed the alert. They will ask you to confirm details about the process — the type of credit, the amount, the company explore. If you did not explore, tell them no and hang up. Do not give them any information.
If you did explore for that credit, confirm the details and the process will proceed. The fraud alert does not block legitimate applications; it just adds a verification step that stops most fraudsters, who do not have your phone number and cannot answer the lender's questions.
Some lenders may ask additional questions to verify your identity, such as your address, date of birth, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. Answer only what you are comfortable with. If the call feels suspicious, hang up and call the lender directly using the number on their official website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a fraud alert hurt my credit score?
No. A fraud alert does not appear on your credit report and does not affect your score. It is a note in your file that tells lenders to verify your identity, but it does not change any of the information lenders use to calculate your score.
Can I place a fraud alert if I have not been a victim of fraud yet?
Yes. You can place an initial fraud alert if you believe your information is at risk — for example, if your wallet was stolen, your mail was compromised, or you received a suspicious email asking for personal information. You do not need proof of actual fraud.
What if I want to remove the fraud alert before one year is up?
Call the bureau that placed it and request removal. You will need to provide your name, Social Security number, and the confirmation number from the letter they mailed you. Removal is free and takes a few business days.
Should I place a fraud alert or a credit freeze?
Start with a fraud alert if you want to keep explore for credit without extra steps. Use a credit freeze if you do not plan to explore for new credit soon or if fraud has already occurred. Many people use both: an alert when ready, then a freeze if the fraud is serious.
What if the lender does not call me before approving credit?
Report it to the bureau that placed the alert. Lenders are required to follow the fraud alert procedure, and if they do not, the bureau needs to know. You can also dispute the fraudulent account on your credit report and file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).