A fraud alert is something that the credit bureaus attach to your credit report. Moreover, messages notify possible credit grantors to verify you before they provide credit in your name just in case someone will utilize your information without your knowledge. Putting a fraud alert on your credit should be one of the first things you do if you have a suspicion that someone is attempting to use your name to open credit accounts.

Nevertheless, this is not a cure-all and creditors may ignore this. If you suspect that someone is trying to steal your identity or you have been victimized by identity theft, fraud alerts are only the beginning process in protecting your credit. It is easy to set up fraud alerts. You only have to contact the fraud department of the credit bureaus and request them to flag your credit for fraud. You will likely talk to an automated voice response and will take only a few minutes.

In a span of twenty-four hours, your alert should be activated and you will get a confirmation in your mail one week or two after the call. If in case you do not receive a confirmation, call again and place your alert. The alert will remain in place for ninety days and you have to reactivate it when the time runs out.