I recently sent letters to all three credit bureaus asking them to remove fraud alerts that were placed there last year as a result of some identity theft. I haven't heard from any of them and according to my TrueCredit account, the alerts have not been removed yet. Has anyone else been through this before? I'm wondering if they're going to remove them, or not, and if so, how long will it take?
Routine fraud alerts normally only stay on for 90 days anyway, although there may have been a lag from when they received your request to when the fraud alert was placed. It is possible to place on fraud alerts that last longer, but that might require that an identity theft report be provided. Removing of a fraud alert may require providing adequate identification information. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/consumers/defend.html#one "What is a fraud alert? There are two types of fraud alerts: an initial alert, and an extended alert. An initial alert stays on your credit report for at least 90 days. You may ask that an initial fraud alert be placed on your credit report if you suspect you have been, or are about to be, a victim of identity theft. An initial alert is appropriate if your wallet has been stolen or if you've been taken in by a "phishing" scam. When you place an initial fraud alert on your credit report, you're entitled to order one free credit report from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies, and, if you ask, they will display only the last four digits of your social security number. An extended alert stays on your credit report for seven years. You can have an extended alert placed on your credit report if you've been a victim of identity theft and you provide the consumer reporting company with an "Identity Theft Report." When you place an extended alert on your credit report, you're entitled to two free credit reports within twelve months from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies. In addition, the consumer reporting companies will remove your name from marketing lists for pre-screened credit offers for five years unless you ask them to put your name back on the list before then. To place either of these alerts on your credit report, or to have them removed, you will be required to provide appropriate proof of your identity: that may include your Social Security number, name, address and other personal information requested by the consumer reporting company. ..."
