People frequently ask us what to do if they suspect their ex has tried to open a credit card in their name or the name of their child. If you suspect this has happened, or simply want to protect your credit and the credit of your child, you can place a fraud alert on your credit report. Although you can do this by telephone if there is an immediate need, a letter is more reliable. You can send a letter to all three credit bureaus asking them to place a fraud alert on your credit report. An initial fraud alert lasts for 90 days. If you file a police report regarding identity theft, and submit it to the credit bureaus, you can have an extended fraud alert placed on your report, which lasts for seven years.
Here is the contact information for the three main credit bureaus as of August 2, 2008:
Credit Bureau Fraud Departments
TransUnion
Fraud Victim Assistance Department
Phone: 800-680-7289
Fax: 714-447-6034
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92634-6790
TransUnion Fraud Alert Page
http://www.transunion.com/corporate/personal/fraudIdentityTheft/preventing/fraudAlert.page
Equifax
Consumer Fraud Division
Phone: 800-525-6285 or: 404-885-8000
Fax: 770-375-2821
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Click here for link to Equifax fraud alert page
Experian
Experian’s National Consumer Assistance
Phone: 888-397-3742
