How long do fraud alerts and credit freezes last?

Fraud alerts may last from 90 days to seven years depending on your situation. Credit freezes may last until you temporarily or permanently lift them.

What are some tips for keeping my credit card safe?

Guard your wallet and try not to carry your Social Security card. When shopping online, check for https in the address bar and skip the option of saving your card info.

Credit and Identity Theft

Protect Against Credit Card Fraud

Avoid the worst credit score impacts by monitoring and acting quickly.

What to do about credit card fraud

Thousands of people fall victim to credit card fraud each year. If you believe your card has been stolen or compromised, early detection and quick action may help minimize the damage. These four steps may help stop identity thieves in their tracks and possibly avoid damage to your credit.

STEPS TO TAKE

Freeze your credit

Freeze your credit report to help prevent fraudsters from opening credit lines in your name.

Change passwords

Change passwords and PINs for your banking and credit card accounts.

Cancel your cards

Lenders may cancel your credit card and issue you a new one.

Monitor your credit

Keep an eye on your monthly credit card statements and credit reports.

Credit Impact

How does unauthorized activity affect your credit score?

If someone opens fraudulent cards or loans in your name, missed payments and high balances can quickly damage your credit score. Key credit factors—such as payment history and credit utilization—can all be impacted. While CreditWise credit monitoring alerts you to key updates on your credit report, you can also place a formal fraud alert directly with the credit bureaus to help protect your file. Learn more about fraud alerts with CreditWise credit monitoring.

How do I review my credit report for signs of fraud?

Unfamiliar accounts or unexpected inquiries on your credit report can be early warning signs of identity misuse. Credit monitoring tools like CreditWise help you keep an eye on your credit health by sending alerts about key changes to your TransUnion® and Experian® credit reports, allowing you to review changes as they happen.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are some early warning signs of identity theft?

Look out for charges on your credit card statements you don’t recognize, unexpected or missing account statements and denials of credit that you didn’t apply for.

How do I fix errors or fraudulent items on my credit report?

Contact the credit reporting bureau that issued the report to file a dispute.

How do I activate a fraud alert or freeze my credit after identity theft?

Contact the three major reporting bureaus as soon as possible.

Do fraud alerts and credit freezes prevent identity theft?

These tools may not stop fraudsters from accessing your existing credit accounts. But they could help to protect you from further misuse of your personal information.