Credit Fraud Alert

[moo-cow]

I know many people are now concerned about potential identity theft with MSP/MOM's latest antics, and some people have signed up for credit monitoring. I wanted to make sure everyone was also aware that one can file a fraud alert with any of the three credit bureaus free of charge. You only need to submit an alert to one bureau - they will share it with the others. A 90 day alert can be initiated online for anyone who feels they may be a victim of identity theft. If you have in fact been a victim of identity theft, I believe there is a more involved process. I am not a lawyer, so make sure you read and understand all the terms and conditions to submitting a request. Here are the links to the three credit bureaus:

Equifax
https://www.alerts.equifax.com/AutoFraud_Online/jsp/fraudAlert.jsp

Experian
https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html

Transunion
http://www.transunion.com/personal-credit/credit-disputes/fraud-alerts.page

FWIW, Experian will provide a free copy of your credit report, though they all may do that.

Edit:

Several people have indicated that a security freeze may be more appropriate than a fraud alert. The alert tells creditors to be more cautious and verify your identity (often times by calling you at a number you provide) before extending credit, whereas the freeze prevents creditors from seeing your credit report (with some exceptions) which prevents new credit lines from being opened. You can read more about the difference here:

http://www.equifax.com/credit/fraud-alerts/

If you feel that a freeze is more appropriate, there is a cost and it must be done at each credit bureau. The websites for a credit freeze are here:

Equifax:
https://www.freeze.equifax.com/Freeze/jsp/SFF_PersonalIDInfo.jsp

Experian:
https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html

Transunion:
http://www.transunion.com/personal-credit/credit-disputes/credit-freezes.page

As others have noted, the fee in MD is $5.

 

[Boom Boom]

Under the circumstances, credit freezes are better. Criminals know that people are lazy and unlikely to renew a fraud alert after 90 days, so they sit on the info for a few months before acting.

 

[westmonster3030]

FWIW, Experian will provide a free copy of your credit report, though they all may do that.

If you live in Maryland, you are entitled to one free credit report a year from the big three - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Again, as a Maryland resident you are entitled to a FREE credit report from each of those mentioned above every 12 months.

 

[csanc123]

If you live in Maryland, you are entitled to one free credit report a year from the big three - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Again, as a Maryland resident you are entitled to a FREE credit report from each of those mentioned above every 12 months.

MSP should provide credit monitoring for at least 12 months...

 

[moo-cow]

If you live in Maryland, you are entitled to one free credit report a year from the big three - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Again, as a Maryland resident you are entitled to a FREE credit report from each of those mentioned above every 12 months.

True. I assume this free one is in addition to the "regular" free report.

 

[CrazySanMan]

Yesterday I got an email from a credit card company that said they were mailing the new card I requested, only the card doesn't expire until 2015 and I never requested a new one.

 

[Benanov]

Yesterday I got an email from a credit card company that said they were mailing the new card I requested, only the card doesn't expire until 2015 and I never requested a new one.

If it's a credit card company you actually do business with, JUMP ON THAT.

 

[Brooklyn]

Yesterday I got an email from a credit card company that said they were mailing the new card I requested, only the card doesn't expire until 2015 and I never requested a new one.

Follow up. Sometimes They do that. I have had it hhappen when they data mine and find an anomoly.
May be nothing but ffollow up anyway.

 

[TopShelf]

Under the circumstances, credit freezes are better. Criminals know that people are lazy and unlikely to renew a fraud alert after 90 days, so they sit on the info for a few months before acting.

Agreed on the freeze. FYI - costs $5 per agency for MD residents. It took me < an hour to do all 3

I think the alert wont stop an account from being opened, whereas a freeze will. I will update here if I found out otherwise

 

[Miss Lead]

Yesterday I got an email from a credit card company that said they were mailing the new card I requested, only the card doesn't expire until 2015 and I never requested a new one.

Try to keep a close eye on your mailbox to make sure you actually receive it. If your mailbox isn't secure (like a locked box in a condo/apartment, etc.), try not to leave your mail sitting. Maybe you could have your neighbor bring in your mail for the next few days. If the new card doesn't arrive in 3-4 days, I'd call the card issuer.

 

[Mr H]

Yesterday I got an email from a credit card company that said they were mailing the new card I requested, only the card doesn't expire until 2015 and I never requested a new one.

I've had it happen where we receive new cards due to a breach of our account... but never been notified by email, always by phone.

I suppose it's not out of the question, but I'd call the TF number on your card and verify ASAP

 

[CrazySanMan]

I called the credit card company and they did send me a new card. They couldn't explain why and since the woman barely spoke English, I still don't know which card will be valid. They will both have the same number but different expiration dates.

 

[F8L_Funnel]

Yep, NOT free for MD residents. I just had to do this a few months ago. They each have a different process. Kind of like Goldilocks, 1 was easy, another was simple enough and the 3rd was several steps and I had to deal with another lost American job to a call center somewhere in India. I hate that when I am dealing with possible credit fraud, I have to deal with someone in India, especially when the credit fraud ORIGINATED in India, according to my CC company.

 

[MJD438]

I called the credit card company and they did send me a new card. They couldn't explain why and since the woman barely spoke English, I still don't know which card will be valid. They will both have the same number but different expiration dates.

Personally, I would ask them to issue a new card w/new number just to be on the safe side.

 

[Blacksmith101]

According to Dougie you can get two credit reports per year from each service or six total for one every two months. See Number 2 on this site:
http://www.oag.state.md.us/idtheft/databreech.htm