Instructions on how to place an initial fraud alert on your credit reports
Use a touchtone phone to place your call. You will be asked to enter the following information by pressing the appropriate keys:
- Your social security number
- Your zip code
- Your year of birth (either all four digits or the last two digits)
- The numeric portion of your street address
- Your daytime phone number, starting with the area code
- Your nighttime phone number, starting with the area code
Equifax
Direct line for placing an initial fraud alert: 800.525.6285
Telephone prompts:
- Following the welcome message, press 1 to add a fraud alert.
- When asked:
a. enter your Social Security number
b. enter your two-digit year of birth, then press #
c. enter the numeric portion of your address, then press #
d. enter your daytime phone number beginning with the area code (press # if you do not want to provide a daytime phone number)
e. enter your nighttime phone number beginning with the area code (press # if you do not want to provide a nighttime phone number) - You will be given a confirmation number. Record this number for your future reference.
Experian
Direct line for placing an initial fraud alert: 888.397.3742
Telephone prompts:
- Following the welcome message, press 2.
- If you believe that your credit information is being used fraudulently, press 3.
- To add an alert to your credit file using the automated system, press 2.
- To add a temporary initial fraud security alert, press 1.
- Two options are given:
a. To complete your request online, visit www.experian.com/fraud.
b. To complete your request by phone, hold until you hear the next prompt. - To continue to the automated alert system, press 2.
- When asked:
a. enter your Social Security number, then press #
b. press 1 if your Social Security number is correct
c. enter your zip code, then press # key
d. enter the numeric part of your address, then press #
e. enter your phone number (optional)
1. press 1 to continue without entering your phone number
2. press 2 to enter your phone number - You will be given a confirmation number. Record this number for your future reference.
TransUnion
Direct line for placing an initial fraud alert: 800.680.7289
Telephone prompts:
- Following welcome message, enter your current zip code.
- 2. To add a fraud alert, press or say 1.
- To add an initial fraud alert, press or say 1.
- When asked:
a. enter your Social Security number, then press #
b. press 1 if Social Security number is correct (press 2 if not)
c. enter your two-digit month of birth, then press #
d. enter your four-digit year of birth, then press #
e. enter your five-digit zip code, then press #
f. enter the numeric portion of your street address, then press #
g. enter your ten-digit daytime phone number, then press #
h. press 1 if daytime phone is correct (press 2 if not)
i. enter your extension if needed or wait until the next prompt
j. enter your ten-digit evening phone number, then press #
k. press 1 if your evening phone is correct (press 2 if not)
l. enter your extension if needed or wait until the next prompt - Remain on the line while your request is processed. You will NOT be given a confirmation number.
Sources consulted in preparing the Ohio University Data Theft Web site
Annual Credit Report Request Service
www.annualcreditreport.com
ID Theft: What It’s All About Federal Trade Commission
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/idtheftmini.htm
Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft Federal Trade Commission
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/idtheft/idt04.shtm
Your Access to Free Credit Reports Federal Trade Commission
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre34.shtm
National Identity Theft Center Federal Trade Commission
www.consumer.gov/idtheft/
Anti-Phishing Working Group
www.antiphishing.org/
How Not to Get Hooked by a ‘Phishing’ Scam Federal Trade Commission
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt127.shtm
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