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Fraud Alerts & Freezes

For more information or to speak with a Financial Education Specialist, please contact us at FinancialEducationAFB@afbank.com.


To help protect yourself from possible identity theft, you could consider placing either a security freeze or fraud alert on your credit file.

Placing a Fraud Alert on Your Credit File

A fraud alert helps prevent identity thieves from opening new credit accounts in your name. When a merchant checks the credit history of someone applying for credit, they get a notice that the applicant may be a victim of identity theft. The alert notifies the merchant to take extra steps to verify the applicant’s identity. You can report potential identity theft to all three major credit bureaus. When you call any one of the toll-free fraud numbers below, you will reach an automated telephone system that allows you to place a fraud alert on your credit file.

Equifax
P.O. Box 105069
Atlanta, GA 30348-5069
800-525-6285
www.equifax.com

Experian
P.O. Box 1017
Allen, TX 75013
888-397-3742
www.experian.com

TransUnion
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022-2000
800-680-7289
fraud.transunion.com 


Placing a Security Freeze on Your Credit File

You could also consider putting a “security freeze” or credit freeze on your credit file. Without your consent, a security freeze will prevent creditors from accessing your credit file at the three nationwide credit reporting agencies. However, please be aware that doing so may delay, prevent, or otherwise interfere with you getting approved for new loans, credit mortgages, employment, housing, or other services on time. After receiving your request, the credit bureaus will generally place a security freeze on your credit report within three days. To request a freeze, contact and place an order with each of the following credit agencies:

Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348
800-525-6285
www.freeze.equifax.com

Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
www.experian.com/freeze

TransUnion Security Freeze
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022-2000
800-680-7289
freeze.transunion.com

Credit agencies may charge a reasonable fee to place a security freeze. You will need to provide the following information when requesting a security freeze:

  • Your full name (including middle initial and Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.).
  • Social Security Number.
  • Date of birth.
  • If you have moved in the past five years, provide the addresses where you have lived over the prior five years.
  • Proof of current address, such as a utility or telephone bill.
  • A legible photocopy of a government-issued ID card (state driver’s license or ID card, military identification, etc.).
  • If you’re a victim of identity theft, include a copy of the police report, complaint to a law enforcement agency, or investigative report concerning the identity theft.
  • If you’re not a victim of identity theft, include payment by check, money order, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover only). Do not send cash in the mail. Security freezes are free to victims of identity theft.

Temporarily Lifting a Security Freeze

After placing a security freeze on your file, you may want to temporarily lift it so that a specific entity or individual can access your credit report. You can specify how long you want the freeze to be lifted by either accessing your account or filling out a form online. Temporarily lifting the freeze will allow you to apply with multiple lenders for the best rate as long as the applications are processed within the specified time frame.

Completely Removing a Security Freeze

To permanently remove a security freeze, you can submit an online request, call the credit agency or send a written request by mail. After receiving your request, the credit agencies will remove the security freeze within a few days.



Additional Information for Massachusetts Residents:

Placing a Credit Freeze: Massachusetts law also allows consumers to place a security freeze on their credit reports. See the description above about what a security freeze does and how to order them with each credit reporting agency. Under Massachusetts law, if you have been a victim of identity theft, and you provide the credit reporting agency with a valid police report, it cannot charge you to place, lift, or remove a security freeze. In all other cases, a credit reporting agency may charge you up to $5.00 each to place, temporarily lift, or permanently remove a security freeze.

Obtaining Police Reports: You have the right to obtain a police report relating to this incident. If you are the victim of identity theft, you also have the right to file a police report and obtain a copy of it.

Helpful Contacts: You can learn more about how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft by contacting the Federal Trade Commission to obtain additional information about how to avoid identity theft, how to place a fraud alert, and how to place a security freeze on your credit report.

Federal Trade Commission,
Consumer Response Center
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20580
1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338)
www.ftc.gov/idtheft

For Iowa residents: You may also contact local law enforcement or the Iowa Attorney General’s Office to report suspected incidents of identity theft. You can reach the Iowa Attorney General at:

Iowa Attorney General
1305 E. Walnut Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-5164
http://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov

For residents of Maryland: You may also obtain information about preventing and avoiding identity theft from the:


For residents of North Carolina: You may also obtain information about preventing and avoiding identity theft from the:

North Carolina Attorney General’s Office
Consumer Protection Division
9001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-9001
1-919-716-6400
http://www.ncdoj.gov


















































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