Equifax Fraud Alerts: How They Work and Last

An Equifax fraud alert is free and one request covers all three bureaus. Here is what it does, how long it lasts, and how removal works.

You think someone has your personal details, or you know they do. An Equifax fraud alert is a free tool you can use. It tells lenders to slow down and check that a credit application is really yours. This page covers what the alert does, the two types Equifax offers, how long each lasts, and the one quirk in how removal works.

What an Equifax fraud alert is and what it does

A fraud alert is a note on your credit file. Equifax says it encourages companies to take steps to verify your identity before extending credit in your name. The FTC puts it plainly: an initial fraud alert tells businesses to check with you before opening a new credit account in your name.

That check is the whole point. If a thief tries to open a card with your details, the lender sees the alert and reaches out to you first. TransUnion says lenders will call you to verify a credit application made in your name, which can help you spot potential identity theft. Equifax says a fraud alert can make it harder for someone to open unauthorized accounts in your name.

The CFPB says if you think you may have been a victim of identity theft, you can also file a fraud alert.

The two types of fraud alerts Equifax offers

Equifax says there are two types of fraud alerts you can place on your credit report, and both are free.

Initial fraud alert. Equifax says an initial fraud alert lasts for one year and can be renewed.

Extended fraud alert. Equifax says an extended fraud alert can be placed if you are a victim of fraud or identity theft. It lasts seven years, and it does more: Equifax says an extended fraud alert also removes your name from pre-screened credit card and insurance offers for five years.

There is a third alert worth knowing about. Equifax says the active duty alert is similar to an initial fraud alert and also lasts a year.

If you are weighing the longer option, see how long does an extended fraud alert last for a closer look at the seven-year version.

How to place a fraud alert with Equifax

Here is the part that surprises people in a good way. Equifax says you may contact any of the three nationwide credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, to request a fraud alert. You do not have to call all three.

Equifax says once you place an alert with one of the bureaus, that bureau will send your request to the other two bureaus. Experian confirms the same thing from its side: a fraud alert placed at any credit bureau is shared with the others.

So one request covers your whole file. Place it with Equifax and Experian and TransUnion will add it too. TransUnion says the same thing from its end. It will notify Experian and Equifax so they can add an alert to the report they have for you.

Equifax says in order to place a fraud alert, you will need to have an active Equifax credit report on file.

For a broader walkthrough of the process and what to expect, see our page on the fraud alert itself.

What an Equifax fraud alert costs

There is no fee to place one. Experian says placing a fraud alert is completely free with no credit card required, and Equifax says both types are free.

Experian says your fraud alert phone number may be used by lenders to verify your identity.

Does a fraud alert hurt your credit?

No. Experian says adding a fraud alert to your credit reports does not hurt your credit history or credit scores in any way.

Experian says a fraud alert can neither help nor hurt your ability to qualify for a loan or credit card.

One more thing the alert does not do. The FTC says a fraud alert, unlike a credit freeze, leaves your credit report open for businesses to view. A lender can still request your report. The alert only asks them to verify you first.

There is even a small upside. The FTC says you can get another free report if you have a fraud alert on your credit file.

How long each Equifax fraud alert lasts

Initial fraud alert: one year. The CFPB says an initial fraud alert lasts up to one year unless you decide to remove it sooner. Equifax says it can be renewed.
Extended fraud alert: seven years. Equifax says an extended fraud alert remains on your credit report for seven years unless you choose to remove it sooner.
Active duty alert: one year, same as an initial alert, per Equifax.

Experian says each fraud alert deactivates itself on a preset expiration date.

Experian says you can renew initial, active-duty and extended fraud alerts up to three months before they expire.

How to remove an Equifax fraud alert

Placement travels between bureaus, but removal does not. Experian says the bureaus notify one another when an alert is activated, but they do not when one is removed.

So if you remove your Equifax fraud alert, the copies at Experian and TransUnion stay put. Experian says you can remove a fraud alert, but you must contact each credit bureau individually. Experian also says you can remove a fraud alert by mail or by uploading your request online.

Our guide on how to remove fraud alert from credit report walks through the details.

Fraud alert vs. credit freeze

These two tools get confused, and they work differently.

A fraud alert asks lenders to verify you. The FTC says that unlike a credit freeze, a fraud alert does not prevent businesses from seeing your credit report.

You can use both. The FTC says that even if you already have a credit freeze in place, you can also place a fraud alert. The FTC also says credit freezes and fraud alerts can help stop someone who already stole your identity from misusing it again.

See our page on the experian fraud alert for that bureau's side of the process.

One request, no cost, no damage to your score, and coverage at all three bureaus. That is the Equifax fraud alert in one line. Just remember the removal quirk.