In an era where identity theft and fraudulent credit activity are prevalent, it is imperative that consumers have security tools to keep their financial lives protected. In recent years, the three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – along with the federal government have implemented steps that consumers can take to help safeguard their personal information.
The first line of defense against the fraudulent use of your personal information is placing a credit fraud alert on your credit file before or shortly after you are the victim of identity theft.
What is a Credit Fraud Alert?
A credit fraud alert is a temporary notice placed on your credit file that prompts creditors for new credit applications to take the appropriate steps to verify your identity prior to an account being opened. Whether it is a new credit card, personal loan, mortgage, or line of credit, a fraud alert adds an additional barrier between an identity theft and an unknowing creditor.
Fraud alerts on your credit reports are provided at no cost to individuals, whether or not they have been the victim of identity theft or fraudulent credit activity, and are in force for one year. While temporary fraud alerts are sufficient for most individuals, an extended fraud alert lasting for seven years can be requested for victims of identity theft, also at no cost.
The process of placing a fraud alert varies among the three major credit bureaus but is most commonly achieved through submitting a request via the agency’s website, over the phone, or via certified mail.
Removing a Fraud Alert from Your Credit Reports
Each of the three major credit bureaus varies slightly in how temporary and permanent credit fraud alerts are effectively removed from your credit report prior to their expiration date. Once you request to have the fraud alert taken off your file with one credit bureau, that company is supposed to notify the other two credit reporting companies so you don’t have to duplicate your efforts.
However, it is important to check that the removal was complete with all three businesses. Follow these steps for each of the credit reporting agencies listed below.
Equifax Fraud Alerts
A temporary fraud alert with Equifax may be removed by letting it expire 12 months from when it was requested, or by submitting a request in writing. The written request should include verification of your personal information and can be mailed to the Equifax at:
Equifax Removal Address
Equifax Information Services LLC
PO Box 105069
Atlanta, GA 30348-5069
You may also call Equifax at 1-888-836-6351 for assistance. Additional information on fraud alerts can be found on the Equifax website.
Experian Fraud Alerts
Experian requires that a fraud alert removal request be submitted in writing or online via their upload form if the request is being made prior to the alert expiration date. Verification of personal information must be included in the written or uploaded letter, such as a copy of a government ID or driver’s license, along with name, date of birth, and social security number.
A template for the letter can be found here, and can be uploaded online, or sent directly to Experian at the following address:
Experian Removal Address
Experian
PO Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
You can also call 1-888-397-3742 to use their automated system and speak to someone to get more information about fraud alerts, which can mostly be found on the Experian website. At this time there appears to be no way to remove the fraud alert by phone with Experian.
TransUnion Fraud Alerts
Unlike Equifax and Experian, a fraud alert can be removed from your TransUnion credit report quickly and easily by submitting a simple request online. The request requires you to input your personal information and is processed immediately after it is reviewed. Access to TransUnion’s fraud alert removal system can be found on the TransUnion website.
However, you can also call TransUnion at 1-800-680-7289 or send the business a letter via post mail to the address below.
TransUnion Removal Address
TransUnion LLC
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016
If you have trouble getting rid of an initial, extended, or active duty fraud alert tied to your credit history report with any of these three main consumer credit bureaus, please let us know.
Went to buy a new car. Fraud alert called the wrong number to confirm it was me buying said car… Makes me mad!!😡 Now trying to figure out how in the hell do I remove it!?
I tried getting a loan, & found out I needed to update my phone number on a fraud alert from TransUnion that I had no clue existed. I never put one on my report. So I call TransUnion and they tell me they can update it over the phone, once they verify some questions. The representative then tells me that they can’t get the system to generate any security questions to verify my identity. I’m then told I can do it online. At this point I’m asking them how, when and why it was put on my report, explaining to them how much of a hassle it is. I then tell them I’d like it completely removed. The rep tells me that I can do this online as well. Once I follow steps to complete this request online, I get a system message that says my request can’t be completed online. I try again, and it’s then saying that I need to by a membership to access my TransUnion account to make the change. I call back boiling at this point. A new representative then tells me I have to send in a letter (with proof of identity), requesting the removal of the fraud alert. For me, this website and information is bogus! It’s not as easy as said to remove or make changes through these credit bureaus. I’d say Experian is about the easiest. You get a live person with no problems, and they complete everything over the phone after verifying your identity with a few questions. Equifax is just as complicated as TransUnion. Me personally, I’m looking forward to the day that they get rid of these credit bureaus. It’s asinine for them to control personal information about us, allow creditors to place false information at times, and we end up having to go out of our way to clear up the mess. Or the fact that they act incompetent, inconveniencing us when we need something fixed such as fraud alert, or phone number change on our reports. We do all of the work, while they make our lives a living nightmare! I’m hoping congress comes up with another plan as discussed/suggested. Why do we need three different credit bureaus, all with different information and scores. I’m sick of it!
Hi Martin, I’m sorry to hear about your troubles. That number you gave me was for Transunion. Were you having trouble with Transunion or Experian?
For Experian, you can try 888-397-3742.
For TransUnion try 800-680-7289.
Let me know how it goes.
I do NOT want a credit report. the number given to me by Experian gave me (800)-888-4213 did NOT allow me to remove a fraud alert. It was to order a credit report. I don’t want one!
Hi Tim, I’m sorry to hear about your troubles. Do you know if there is an alert on your file with the other credit bureaus too? If so, you could request the removal with them and they are supposed to notify the other two credit bureaus. Perhaps you should send a removal request letter to TransUnion too if you can’t get any further with them online or over the phone.
I have been trying to remove an alert that I did not put on my TransUnion credit file but it won’t let me remove it. It keeps saying the site has technical issues. This is ridiculous that I spend 3 days on the phone with TransUnion and they tell me I can manage my report and remove the alert myself online; however, it won’t let me, and I didn’t even put it on that lame service.
Hi Samuel, It looks like Capitec bank is in South Africa, so I’m not sure about the process there. However, in the United States all you need to do is contact one of the three credit reporting agencies mentioned in this article and they are supposed to notify the other two credit bureaus. Perhaps that could work for you too. I recommend asking them which credit bureau they use to check your credit then contacting that company directly.
Hi pls assist I went to Capitec bank to open a savings account but they told me these fraud alert on my I’d….can u pls help me with the relevant company who can assist me to remove it?
Hi Nancy, I’m sorry but we can’t remove fraud alerts for you. You will need to contact the credit bureaus directly.
remove fraud alert on my computer
Hi Debra, I’m sorry, but there is nothing we can do for you because we’re just and information portal. You will need to contact one of the credit bureaus to have your fraud alert removed.
Please take this fraud alert off please it is stopping me from getting a truck I never put this on my account thank you
Hi Mendel, there are no forms per se. You can send whichever one you choose a letter that includes a written request or remove it through Experian’s or TransUnion’s websites online. We’ve included the links and addresses within the article.
I want to remove the fraud alert
Hi Mendel, if you never put a fraud alert on your credit report why are you trying to remove one? Did you receive something in the mail or your email regarding a fraud alert on your credit report? Which company are you trying to remove it from? When you remove it from one credit bureau that agency is supposed to notify the other two credit bureaus so you only have to ask for it to be removed once.
I don’t know how to get forms to remove fraud alert ..
I never put fraud alert , don’t know how this came to me
Hi P G, what a bummer. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, initial fraud alerts are supposed to expire automatically after 90 days. However, extended fraud alerts, which can also be placed on your file, don’t expire for 7 years. It sounds to me like an extended fraud alert got placed on your account by mistake, and that’s the reason it hadn’t expired yet.
I put a 90 day fraud alert on my credit card in June 2017, because someone charged it 3 times for Walmart & Petco goodies in June.
It was only supposed to be 90 and I understood it to drop off on its own after the 90 days like your article says.
But here in March 2019 I went to purchase something a little pricey, and was denied the purchase.
It was very embarrassing and made me angry. The store workers were saying it was because of the fraud alert.
It was only supposed to be for 90 days and drop off, but they never removed it, and now I don’t know if my credit will be affected, because a check was denied as well for the same reason.
Its so infuriating.
If it doesn’t drop off on its own, you can remove that part from your article.
Can you please provide me a template letter which I can use to send letters to credit bureaus to remove Fraud Alert. Thanks. I tried removing it online but it dint work. SO I am planning to send letter this time. If anybody can help me with a sample letter, I would highly appreciate that.
Hi Jeannette, we can’t do that for you. You’ll have to contact the credit bureaus directly.
remove fraud alert on my credit file please all three agencies reporting and up date my credit info. temporary phone number now is 224 238-xxxx had house firer in July am in townhouse till rebuilt electric is off at 54 sparrow rd house address so 224-484-xxxx phone no. does not work please note that in my credit file will notify you when back in old residence hopefully by March 2018. My ss is xxx should you need to access. Thank you and have a nice turkey day. JBos
Hi Christine, that’s too bad. My best recommendation is to try calling them again to work it out. Otherwise, you can send them a letter in the mail. You can find the mailing address for removing fraud alert here.
I requested a fraud alert through Experian. TransUnion put an Active Duty Fraud Alert on my credit and I’m not in the military. I can’t remove or change it because I cannot log in. When I try to create a new account it says one already exists. If I try to access it I get a message telling me to contact TransUnion by phone. When I contacted TransUnion by phone the lady didn’t even know what an Active Duty Fraud Alert was and wasn’t very helpful. Please help. This technicality is keeping me from refinancing my house because my lender sees a discrepancy with military duty. Again. I’m not in the military and I shouldn’t have an Active Duty Alert on my credit.
Hi Amy, here’s a list of phone numbers. I’d call and tell them your situation.
I didn’t put a freeze or fraud alert to block my credit report so how do I call to find out why and how to remove it
Hi Maria,
Unfortunately they don’t make it easy to figure out. You need to log in the add a fraud alert tool. If you don’t have an online account yet, you’ll need to create one. Then remove it through there.
TransUnion says you can remove a fraud alert online but offers no way to actually do this. Link provided in this article shows how to add a fraud alert, but no links on that page (nor did a search yield any results) to allow for a removal. I wish they had clear instructions on what to submit via mail on their site, but they don’t have that either.
Unfortunately not. They require you to either let it expire or send in a written request.
is there a contact number i can call equifax to remove a fraud alert?
Please do and best of luck. Thanks, Wes.
Thanks Wes, I have contacted the Federal Trade Commission and our State Attorney’s Attorneys and advised them. I was told Transunion is being vindictive and the government advised me they are clearly in violation of Federal FCRA Laws and laws on reporting and removing Fraud Alerts at the request of the consumer. The FTC has been forwarded all documents and mailings I have sent asking them to remove the Fraud Alerts. Other Credit Agencies have notated what Transunion is doing to me, and made statements to my accounts with them. Transunion cost me several credit offers by continuing to put on Fraud Alerts. I have been injured by their actions, and incompetence. Now they will answer to the Federal Government, and my States Attorney, and my personal attorney. Transunion has zero excuse for what they have done to me. So now they can deal with the oversight regulatory Federal Agency for their actions. Thanks again Wes, I will let you know how this all goes.
Ugh, what a pain. Unfortunately the easiest route is probably going to be continuing to call them and explaining your situation. I’d try 800-916-8800, then press 4 to speak with someone…again, but before getting transferred to the fraud alert department. Otherwise the next step would be to reach out on social media (TransUnion has responded to me on Twitter), then contacting an attorney to assist. TransUnion is usually the easiest to work with…
I have tried talking to them on the phone. They always tell me to send the same documents over and over. I have sent them even certified, and they ask me to resend, or tell me they didn’t get them. I have tried to remove it online, I can login, but they have blocked my ability from that point. Federal law says they are to remove it at my request, and they harass me by refusing to remove it, and blocking me from online removal. I get it removed from Experian and Equifax, then Transunion sends them another “Fraud Alert” and I have to resend the same documents to them as well. Is there a CEO, or President or even a Corporate office to speak to? Every call I have made has been routed to India. Every single call. Any ideas? Thanks Wes
Hi Roger, I’m sorry to hear about your troubles with TransUnion. It’s tough for me to say what is happening without seeing all of the filed paperwork, etc. Have you tried calling them at 888-909-8872, or removing it through the online system?
Wes,
I have sent repeated letters, copies of my ID’s, Social Security Card, Utility Bills and more. Transunion is the only agency who has given me the run around to REMOVE a 7 YEAR FRAUD ALERT I did not place. I am Disabled and not well, and I don’t have the energy to keep fighting with Transunion to REMOVE that FRAUD ALERT. I get it removed from EQ and EX and Transunion then sends them 10 days later another notice saying I put a FRAUD ALERT on my file, and I have to repeat the process over and over and over. I have done everything to have them legally remove that FRAUD ALERT and they just give me the run around. Can you please help me with Transunion?
Hi Vinny, I just spoke to TransUnion and they said you will need to notify all three credit bureaus when you are removing a fraud alert. Only when you place a fraud alert will they notify Equifax and Experian too. They require 5 business days to verify your information and remove the alert once it is received, but can lift it immediately if the request is made by phone.
Hi Wes-
So if I remove the alert from TransUnion, they should contact the other two and ask them to remove it as well? Or should I write to the other two with their form and documentation? If I write to the other two, how long typically should I wait to have it lifted?
Thanks.
Hi Brenda, unfortunately TransUnion is the only credit bureau that has an online form. It’s the same form used to place an alert.
I can’t find the online form to remove a fraud alert. Where is it please?
You’re welcome Vickie!
Thank you from vickie