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Fraud protection tools to help 

safeguard servicemembers

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) 

provides three types of alerts to 

protect your credit file from potential 

fraud or identity theft.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has 

received a number of complaints from deployed 

servicemembers who reported damage to their 

credit reports because of identity theft or other 

misuse of their accounts while they were on active 

duty. And while the Bureau has received hundreds 

of these complaints, few consumers reported 

initiating an Active Duty Alert prior to leaving 

for active duty. Servicemembers can protect 

themselves from such harm by initiating an 

Active Duty Alert. 

What alerts are available?

§ Active Duty Alert

§ Initial Alert

§ Extended Alert

Each of these alerts notifies users of your credit 

report of the potential for fraud or identity theft. 

The lender will have to take reasonable steps to 

verify the identity of someone who requests new 

credit in your name before they can approve it. 

New credit includes opening a new line of credit 

in your name (except for an open-end credit plan 

such as a credit card), issuing an additional card on 

one of your existing credit accounts, or increasing 

your credit limit. If the lender does not verify the 

requester’s identity, it will not approve the request.

TIP: These alerts do not prevent you from adding 

to the balance on an existing line of credit or credit 

card within your existing credit limit. 

Which alert should I get?

Active Duty Alert

This alert is available to you if you are in the military 

on active duty and are assigned to service away 

from your usual duty station. The alert notifies 

credit reporting companies of your military status, 

which limits new credit offers while you’re away.

Here’s how it works: 

§ Lenders are notified that you have an alert on 

your credit file and they must take reasonable 

steps to verify the requester’s identity before 

approving new credit.

§ The alert lasts twelve months (unless you remove 

it sooner.)

§ Your name will be removed for two years from 

nationwide credit reporting companies’ prescreening lists for credit offers and insurance 

(unless you request otherwise.)

Initial Fraud Alert 

This Alert is available to you if you have a “goodfaith suspicion” that you have been or will be a 

victim of identity theft or fraud. 
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TIP: This alert is a good first step if you’re worried 

your identity has or will be stolen. You don’t have to 

wait until it happens to you. The alert provides you 

with the right to request a free credit report so you 

can keep an eye out for anything suspicious.

Here’s how it works:

§ Lenders are notified you have an alert on your 

credit file and they must take reasonable steps to 

verify the requester’s identity before approving 

new credit. 

§ This alert lasts 90 days (unless you remove 

it sooner.)

§ You also have a right to one free consumer 

report from each of the nationwide credit 

reporting companies. (This is in addition to the 

free annual report all consumers are entitled to.)

Extended Fraud Alert 

This Alert is available to you if you actually have 

been a victim of identity theft and have filed a 

qualifying “identity theft report” with one of the 

nationwide credit reporting companies. 

TIP: To create a report online, visit www.

identitytheft.gov. This alert requires lenders to 

contact you before approving new credit for you. It 

also gives you the right to request two free credit 

reports while limiting new credit offers. 

Here’s how it works:

§ Lenders are notified you have an alert on your 

credit file, and, if you provided a phone number 

or other contact method, they must use this 

information to verify the credit requester’s 

identify (or verify the requester’s identity in 

person) before approving new credit. 

§ This alert lasts seven years (unless you remove 

it sooner.) 

§ You also have a right to two free consumer 

reports during the first 12 months after adding 

the alert to your account from each of the 

nationwide credit reporting companies. (This 

is in addition to the free annual report all 

consumers are entitled to.)

§ Your name will also be removed for five years

from the nationwide credit reporting companies’ 

pre-screening lists for credit offers and insurance 

(unless you request otherwise.) 

TIP: All consumers can limit new credit offers by 

getting off pre-screening lists. To do so, visit the 

FTC’s site at: www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0148-

prescreened-credit-and-insurance-offers. You can 

do this temporarily or permanently.

How can I get these alerts?

To add an alert, you can call, go online, or write 

to any one of the three largest nationwide credit 

reporting companies (Equifax, TransUnion, 

Experian.) You will be required to verify your identity. 

Once you place an alert with one nationwide credit 

reporting company, the alert will be added to your 

credit report with the other companies. 

TIP: You can remove any of these alerts by using 

the same method you used to initially add the alert. 

And it’s free to place and remove these alerts. 

After contacting one company, you don’t have to 

contact the others. Here’s the contact information 

for the three largest credit reporting companies:

§ Equifax: (800) 525–6285

§ Experian: (888) 397–3742

§ Transunion: (800) 680–7289

What if I want more protection?

The above alerts provide notice to lenders about 

potential fraud activity but do not fully prevent 

access to your credit file. If you want to completely 
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prohibit the release of your credit file to potential 

new lenders, you may want a Security Freeze. The 

security freeze will stop these lenders from access 

to your credit file, which would prevent the approval 

of new credit. Requirements and small charges for a 

Security Freeze vary by state, and you have to take 

affirmative steps to lift the freeze when you want 

to use your credit record. More information about 

credit freezes is available at: www.consumerfinance.

gov/askcfpb/1341/what-security-freeze-my-creditreport.html.

Where can I get more information 

on this topic and others pertaining 

to servicemembers? 

Go to the website for the Office of Servicemember 

Affairs to find more resources, guides, tips, and 

news for servicemembers, veterans and their 

families. Or, take a look at some of the frequently 

asked questions on the subject at Ask CFPB at 

www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb

Protection and requirements Active Duty Initial Extended 

For active duty servicemembers •

For when you believe you are or may be the victim of ID theft •

For when you submit an identity theft Report •

The lender is required to verify the requester’s identity 

before approving new credit • • •

The lender is required to verify requester’s identity by your 

specified contact method or in person •

Free consumer report(s) • 

one

• 

two

Exclusion from prescreening lists • 

two years

• 

five years