Appreciated the verification questions
After being a victim of identity theft, I had a fraud alert placed on my credit reports. A few months later, I decided to apply for one of those "zero percent for 12 months" offers of credit for a mattress. The sales associate was notified to call the credit company, and I was required to answer an impressive series of questions to verify my identity. I don't view this process as a hassle, because a little bit of extra time is definitely worth preserving my credit.
-- Lisa
Always received a verification call
I had my wallet stolen and placed a fraud alert. I got called every time afterward that I used my credit card for verification and approval. After several times it got annoying, but I understand the safety feature.
-- A.C.
Fraud alert successful in blocking instant credit
My wallet was taken from my purse at work. I reported my American Express card as stolen, but during the one hour the card was on the loose, the thief had lunch, purchased jewelry and furs, all in New York where I live, as well as booked a hotel room in Texas.
I thought I had done all I was supposed to do reporting my card and closing my checking account, until I received a bill for cell phones and connection fees. Someone had opened up a number of cell phone accounts as well as store credit cards using the instant credit-approval process offered in most stores with my stolen information. I reported all accounts were opened fraudulently and refused to pay any of the bills. I was advised by a customer service operator that I should place a "fraud alert" with the major credit reporting agencies. This would block anyone from obtaining instant credit in the future.
This has been successful and I advised my family to do the same.
-- Rosa
Fraud alerts can be ignored
The first time someone used my identity to get credit cards and lines of credit to the tune of about $12,000 and got a speeding ticket on my driver's license number, I set fraud alerts with all three agencies.
Then I found out that a phone line was opened in my name by the same provider that had been used previously. This tipped me off that something was going on again with my credit. When I contacted the provider to find out how this could happen a second time using the same bogus information, they said they do what they call a "soft credit check" so they never read the "alert."
This guy gets out of jail and uses my information again. He gets multiple lines of credit again before getting sent back to jail, this time on federal charges.
I don't hold him totally responsible because it was a failure of the credit agencies and the retail vendors who ignore the "do-not-offer-credit-unless-you-call-me-at-my-office-or-home-first" warning.
There is very little accountability for the credit agencies because as we all know, you are presumed guilty until they say you are innocent. If they got a hefty penalty for every time they accepted false information, a lot of this would stop.
Since that will never happen, I was glad to hear that I could "freeze" my account (although it is an outrage that I should have to pay for them not to provide their services). The problem is that not all states offer this option.
-- Jesus
Must reset fraud alerts every 90 days
In 2005, I applied for a pre-approved loan in order to purchase a house. The local bank sent a letter to me at the new house's address, so I didn't receive it for seven weeks. It stated that a laptop was stolen from the bank which had my application and personal information on it.
I was appalled and fired a letter to the bank and the individual that sent the letter. I immediately contacted the three major credit bureaus and included with my letter a copy of the letter, returned receipt requested, from the local bank explaining what happened. The same day, I closed every account that I had, and put security passwords on all new accounts that I decided to maintain, which was my bank card only. To this day, I am required, in order to keep active my security alert, to send a letter to all three credit bureaus asking for a continuance of the fraud alert every 90 days. Since no actual penetration into my accounts or no activity of fraud have occurred to date, they will not extend the seven-year alert. I don't mind, but there have been nine inquiries trying to open new accounts, which show up on my credit report that I receive every fourth month. These requests from someone trying to open new accounts that stole my information are lowering my once-perfect credit score and causing frustration and continued concern.
Once the credit bureau stops the fraud alert and that guard has been lowered, I will be scammed again, except to more grave amounts. My only hope is to continue to send my request for continued fraud alerts at the end of each 90-day cycle. I continue to send letters to the three credit bureaus and ask that accounts not be opened in my name knowing that I am under the fraud alert, but they still continue to show up.
The credit bureaus seem to follow through with my request each 90-day letter, however they continue to allow inquiries under my name and Social Security number for whomever is trying to open new credit accounts. This I do not understand. Once again, my concern is that once the credit bureaus stop allowing the fraud alert, whoever has my information will surely be happy at my expense.
-- Patricia
Instant credit hiccup
I placed a fraud alert on my credit file after an attempted identity theft. Most people who saw the alert looked at me as if I was the one who had committed fraud instead of the other way around. Thank God people are becoming more educated on these matters. To this day, I am unable to take advantage of the instant in-store discounts they offer if you open a new line of credit, because of the fraud alert in my file. I have it set up so that I must be contacted at home before any new credit accounts can be opened and of course, if I am home, I can't be in the store shopping."
-- Donna
Several years ago I had a fraud alert put on my credit file. Two years ago I tried to get a credit card at a store in southern Florida. I had just bought a house there. The credit card company tried calling my Ohio phone number, but of course I was not there. Since they could not contact me at the phone number given them several years ago, they told the store and as a result, my credit was denied.
-- Les
Editor's note: Credit-reporting agencies do allow consumers to change the original telephone numbers they provided for a fraud alert. Contact the agencies for further instructions.
Hard to remove
I placed myself on fraud alert when a University of Texas at Austin business school student's records were stolen. It was a precautionary measure and I ended up not being affected. However, not only have I been denied credit cards but it has been very difficult to take myself off of the alert. You have to send in numerous private documents in the mail that anyone could easily take and steal your identity. I sent in a copy of my driver's license and previous address records but since I had moved recently they could not verify my address. I received a letter stating that they needed more personal information but I was reluctant to send that information in the mail and the sender did not seem credible. I am still having trouble removing myself. Also, I requested credit reports but because I have changed addresses, they have requested more information in writing. It is something that is easy to put yourself on, but hard to take off.
-- Kristen |
