Fraud Alert
A fraud alert is free and notifies creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before extending credit. You can add a 1-year, 7-year, or Active Duty Military fraud alert. Remove it any time using our online Service Center with no effect to your credit score.
Think you may be a victim of identity theft?
Use our Fraud Victim Resources to learn more about how to respond or check out our Fraud Companion Guide for even more guidance.
Types of Fraud Alerts
TransUnion offers three types of fraud alerts. Choose the option below that best fits your needs.
You’re entitled to one free credit report with an initial fraud alert or two free credit reports with an extended fraud alert. If you want a copy of your credit report now without setting a fraud alert, you can get one here.
Fraud Alert vs. Credit Freeze
A fraud alert and a credit freeze are both great, free ways to help you prevent identity theft and protect your personal data. But they’re not the same, and knowing the differences can help you choose the one that will best fit your needs.
- Fraud Alert
- Credit Freeze
When should I use a fraud alert?
When you want lenders to take an extra step and call you to verify credit applications in your name, but not completely block access to your credit report.
How fast is it?
A fraud alert will show up on your credit report the same day you place it.
How does it protect me?
Lenders will call you to verify a credit application made in your name. This can help you spot potential identity theft.
Is it free?
Yes. You can add or remove a fraud alert at any time for free on the TransUnion Service Center. We’ll also notify Experian and Equifax so they can add an alert to the report they have for you.
When should I use Freeze?
If you want a free option to make sure no one can access your credit report.
How fast is it?
Adding or removing a credit freeze often happens in real time, but to be on the safe side, allow up to one hour for it to go into effect.
Will I receive status alerts?
No, a credit freeze won’t send you alerts, but you can log in at any time to see your freeze status.
Is it free?
Yes. You can add or access your Credit Freeze at any time for free on the TransUnion Service Center.
Fraud Victim Fundamentals
If you think you’re a victim of identity theft, knowing the signs to look for and what to do next can help you take control of the situation and get on the path to recovery.
Identity theft is when your personal information—anything from your name, your driver’s license or Social Security Number—has been hijacked by an imposter in order to commit fraud in your name. With that information, someone can easily open false lines of credit and rack up debt in your name, withdraw money from your accounts or get your tax refund, among other scams
Identity theft can also happen to children, and it can go undetected for years. You can learn more here about how to spot child identity theft and how TransUnion can help
The first step in figuring out if you’re a victim of identity theft is to look for evidence that it occurred. Review your credit report for signs of suspicious activity and unfamiliar changes, like accounts opened that you don’t recognize or credit checks from companies you’ve never done business with. Monitor your credit card or other account statements for purchases you didn’t make
Learn more about recognizing identity theft:
- Signs of Identity Fraud
- Common Purchases with Stolen Credit Card Information
- How to Spot and Avoid Phishing Scams
Identity theft is a serious crime, but we’re here to help you through it
- Alert your financial institutions and cancel credit cards and checks, if needed
- Report the fraud to the FTC and your local law enforcement
- Protect your credit report with a credit freeze and add a fraud alert
- Get a copy of your credit report and review it for inaccuracies; you can dispute fraudulent activity through our free online dispute process
For even more guidance, use our free Fraud Companion Guide to track your progress through reporting and organize your notes all in one place.
We also have more resources to help you through this process:
- Our Fraud Victim Checklist can also help you determine who to contact
- Review the Fraud Victim Bill of Rights for more information on your rights as victim of fraud
Whether you’ve experienced it or not, there are several things you can do to protect yourself from potential identity theft:
- Review your credit report for any unusual activity. TransUnion is offering free weekly credit reports throughout 2023 at annualcreditreport.com
- Keep an eye on your financial accounts for suspicious charges
- Treat your personal information with care both online and off: use secure passwords and be aware of phishing phone calls, text messages and emails
- Consider a subscription credit monitoring service like TransUnion Credit Monitoring
You can learn more in our blog post 5 Identity Theft Protection Tips Precautions to Start Taking Now
Get started with Fraud Alerts for free
through our TransUnion Service Center, where you can:
- Place Fraud Alerts to protect your identity
- Control who can access your credit information with Credit Freeze
Are you applying for credit or has a lender referred you here to lift a freeze on your TransUnion credit report? You’re in the right place.
- Manage or fix any inaccuracies on your credit report
- Add a note to your report around any COVID-19 or other financial considerations
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