![]() ![]() ![]() Unlike a fraud alert, you must separately place a security freeze on your credit file at each credit reporting company. There is no fee to place or lift a security freeze. Therefore, using a security freeze may delay your ability to obtain credit. If you place a security freeze, potential creditors and other third parties will not be able to get access to your credit report unless you temporarily lift the freeze. A security freeze is designed to prevent potential credit grantors from accessing your credit report without your consent. You can place a fraud alert on your credit report by contacting any of the three national credit reporting agencies.Ĭredit Freezes : You have the right to put a credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, on your credit file, free of charge, so that no new credit can be opened in your name without the use of a PIN number that is issued to you when you initiate a freeze. An extended fraud alert stays on your credit report for seven years. You may have an extended alert placed on your credit report if you have already been a victim of identity theft with the appropriate documentary proof. An initial fraud alert stays on your credit report for at least 90 days. You may ask that an initial fraud alert be placed on your credit report if you suspect you have been, or are about to be, a victim of identity theft. You also have a right to place a security freeze on your credit report, as described belowįraud Alerts : There are two types of fraud alerts you can place on your credit report to put your creditors on notice that you may be a victim of fraud-an initial alert and an extended alert. ** If you are a resident of West Virginia, note that you have the right to ask that nationwide consumer reporting agencies place “fraud alerts” in your file to let potential creditors and others know that you may be a victim of identity theft, as described below. You also have the right to request a security freeze. * Note that pursuant to Massachusetts or Rhode Island law, you have the right to file and obtain a copy of a police report. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202, State Capitol Complex, Bldg. Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, 150 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903,, 1-40 North Carolina Attorney General's Office, 9001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699,, 1-91 or 1-87 Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108,, 1-61 Maryland Attorney General's Office, 200 St. Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20580, 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338), You may contact and obtain information from your state attorney general at:Ĭonnecticut Attorney General's Office, 55 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106,, 1 -86.Contact information for the Federal Trade Commission is as follows: Obtain a copy of the police report in case you are asked to provide copies to creditors to correct your records. ![]() You should also contact your local law enforcement authorities and file a police report. You can obtain information from these sources about steps an individual can take to avoid identity theft as well as information about fraud alerts and security freezes. If you believe you are the victim of identity theft or have reason to believe your personal information has been misused, you should immediately contact the Federal Trade Commission and/or the Attorney General’s office in your state. Contact information for the three nationwide credit reporting companies is as follows: To order your annual free credit report, please visit or call toll free at 1-87. You may obtain a copy of your credit report, free of charge, once every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies. It is always advisable to be vigilant for incidents of fraud or identity theft by reviewing your account statements and free credit reports for any unauthorized activity. Protect yourself against fraud and identity theft Keep reading to find out how you can protect yourself from fraud and identity theft, bearing in mind this information is relevant to US citizens only. ![]()
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