I called experian yesterday to correct my address, because I noticed they had it wrong (again, and I also am currently disputing my last baddie), anyway, I just pulled my TU report and noticed this: #HK# POTENTIAL FRAUD VICTIM ALERT: MY IDENTIFYING INFORMATION MAY HAVE BEEN STOLEN. BEFORE EXTENDINGCREDIT, VERIFY ALL APPLICANT INFORMATION OR CONTACT ME PERSONALLY. DATED 12/31/2003 . I was like WTF? So I went and pulled EQ off of CW gold and sure as sh*t, there it was. I then went to EX and pulled creditmanager, and there you go, it's on all 3. I did a search, and I did not see how easy or how hard it is going to be to have this removed off of all 3, and what the long term effects are going to be. Any detailed help would be much appreciated. TIA!
Hi Shane, Fraud Alerts are a pain but not the end of the world. Basically before future creditors grant credit they will perform a more stringent check on your ID. Just takes a little longer. Did you say anything to them about "FRAUD"? What did you say when you disputed your address? ???
Not sure Trent, but I'd begin with; "Since I didn't put it there, TAKE IT OFF!!!" If I need a Fraud Alert you'll be the first to know. .
I appreciate that Butch, but all I did was call to correct my address, and ask if they had received my dispute, which at the time, was not showing in dispute on credit manager. See, the thing is, to be honest, if I decide to go and apply for a credit card online or whatever, I want to be able to take advantage of the instant approval's, etc. I just want this off like it was never there, or is that even possible?
I wander if this has anything to do with the "new" FCRA. I hope this isn't a sign of how CRA's intend on handling address disputes.
Your creditors can put a Fraud Alert on your file! I know it sounds strange but it is the truth (so the CRA tell us) I am going through this very same issue with someone I know CR and we are trying to get the alert removed and we have just sent the SECOND round of letters to them. It may be easier for some people to get the alert removed but for us it has become a real pain.
So, has it been on there for more than the 90 days then, and you are fighting them still, or still within the 90 day period? Any particular CRA giving you a harder time than another?
Re: Re: Experian - Fraud Alert - Greeeeeaaa We did not even know that there was a FA on file until we were unable to get a CR online and then called the CRA and found out about the FA. They told us that it was a "creditor" that put it on. I guess if the OC feels the info they were provided is different then what is on your CR they can slap it with a FA. So that began the process of writing letters and including ID and bills for verification of address to the CRA but for some reason they wanted to make it more difficult and refused to accept the information that was sent in? I went around and around with Equifax about it and faxed over more information but they jut refused to get back to us or remove the FA. So this time I included some more ID info and a small section from the FCRA that will hopefully steer them in the right direction.
I was thinkin exactly the same thing Cinderella. Could be their first step to attempting to "criminalize" our attempt to "repair" our reports. I'd jump on this with both feet Shane. Just not totally sure exactly how yet. I'd probably begin by demanding an explanation as to how it got on there when you didn't put it there. I'm thinkin. (hear all the noise?) ~ .
Re: Re: Experian - Fraud Alert - Greeeeeaaa OH YES. the creditors, ie me, can even file involuntary bankruptcy for you. creditors have far more power than they exercise.
Re: Re: Re: Experian - Fraud Alert - Greeeeeaaa Yeah I knew the BK part. As of today the false assertion (by a consumer) that an ID Fraud has occured my be criminal. New FCRA. I think unless I get a letter from a DF that the DF put the FA on my report I'd be highly PO'ed. A DF can "have" all the power they want Jenz, but misuse it, and that's when I get pissed. [RROOOAAARRRR!] Scared Yet? LOL .
Re: Re: Experian - Fraud Alert - Greeeeeaaa We have tried to find out which creditor put the alert on but so far no luck!
Re: Re: Experian - Fraud Alert - Greeeeeaaa We have tried to find out which creditor put the alert on but so far no luck!
Well Butch, I will give all of them a call tomorrow and let you know what happens. BTW, I do have a sh*tload of inquiries on EX, and I was told on another board that this may be an advantage to me with the FA. I asked for details, but no info was given. Any thoughts?
Re: Re: Re: Experian - Fraud Alert - Greeeeeaaa Read this thread: http://www.creditboards.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5874&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 Disputing is not fraud -- Nana had disputed addresses. That was written (check out the links) when the CDIA announced the newest and greatest CRA ID Theft Initiative (think that was in April) -- it was a rah rah thing then, all wrapped up in pink, how great we CRA's are protecting all the little people from ID Theft. Discovered because of all the postings and recommendations to dispute inquiries through the fraud departments of the CRA's (there's a thread here about that too, where Nikki chimes in with her experience in getting them removed -- doesn't happen easily with EXP and that was BEFORE the new FCRA). The new FCRA makes them credit cops with authority. It has huge and scary implications if you want to go there, and yes, I remember, it was 1933, yes???? LOL That's the CRA's though, I don't believe the OC's (or furnishers) can put an alert on your files for you. They in fact, under the new FCRA have to block information from reporting that resulted from fraud. They do though feed the information into other systems. The CRA's all have their own (and fed into the umbrella database) systems for those that have claimed fraud, information doesn't match up, or whatever. So while I'm flying with ya, damned if I'd tolerate it either, the new FCRA eliminates the choices you previously had -- credit cops they are!!!!!!!! I actually think we'll soon be seeing the same with a "not mine" dispute. Sassy
Re: Re: Re: Re: Experian - Fraud Alert - Greeeeeaaa I *think* the way it works is the OC notifies the CRA that "something" is not right or does not match or whatever the case is and then the CRA puts the alert on your file. While the OC may not actually be allowed to physically "place" the alert it seems that all they need to do is contact the CRA and point them in the right direction and you end up with an alert on your file that you did not authorize or even have knowledge of.
