Fraud alerts: suspected risk versus documented theft

Fraud alerts: suspected risk versus documented theft Qualifications and requirements: An initial alert is for someone who is or suspects they may be affected by identity theft; it lasts one year and can be renewed. An extended alert lasts seven years for someone who experienced identity theft and completed an FTC identity-theft report or police report. Documents to prepare (confirm what is required): Bureau identity verification; FTC identity-theft or police report for an extended alert; Private confirmation record Exceptions and checks: Contact one nationwide bureau for an alert and it must notify the other two. A freeze instead requires separate requests to all three. Questions to ask: Is there suspected risk or actual identity misuse?; Is a report available to support an extended alert? Next steps: Choose the alert type using FTC criteria.; Contact a verified bureau and retain confirmation.; Review reports and dispute unauthorized accounts separately. Limits: An alert adds identity checks but does not block credit access like a freeze or establish that theft occurred. Federal protections apply statewide. Actual verification is through the bureau secure process.