ENTITLEMENT / FREE-CREDIT-FRAUD-ALERTS

Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion under federal consumer law

Free Credit Fraud Alerts

Eligible consumers can place a free initial, extended, or active-duty fraud alert that tells businesses to take identity-verification steps before issuing new credit in the consumer's name.

Consumer who suspects or has experienced identity theftEligible active-duty service member

Entitlement facts

Benefit type
Government benefit. A government-funded or administered benefit, service, coverage program, assistance program, or public access route. Taxonomy definition →
What it unlocks
A free one-year initial alert, seven-year extended alert for identity-theft victims, or renewable active-duty alert for deployed service members, depending on eligibility.
Who qualifies
Consumer who suspects or has experienced identity theft; Eligible active-duty service member
Requirements
An initial alert is for a person who believes they are or may become an identity-theft victim; an extended alert requires an identity-theft report; and an active-duty alert requires qualifying military status. Identity verification and category-specific documentation can be required.
How to activate
Contact any one nationwide credit reporting company, request the applicable fraud-alert type, and complete identity and documentation steps; that company must notify the other two nationwide bureaus.
Cost basis
No-cost access. The core benefit has no required payment, purchase, deposit, paid membership, or pre-existing paid-product relationship under the captured terms.
Cost and fees
Fraud alerts and renewals are free. Credit monitoring, locks, scores, and other optional commercial products are separate and are not required.
Geography
US
Personalization
Published eligibility is not described as individually targeted.

EVIDENCE / 1 SOURCE

Eligibility is conditional, not guaranteed.

Check the provider's final terms immediately before applying, depositing funds, spending, or changing a paid relationship.