Facts

• An extended consumer alert is a form of fraud alert that can be placed on a consumer's credit report to alert future lenders to the fact that the individual has been a victim of identity theft.
  
  

Features

• An extended consumer alert contains an individual's telephone number and a notice to potential creditors that the individual must be contacted to give his approval before credit is extended in his name.
  
  

Time Frame

• An extended consumer alert remains in your credit file for seven years and can be renewed.
  
  

Considerations

• In order to qualify for an extended consumer alert, you must have a police report documenting an incident of identity theft.
  
  

Process

• To get an extended consumer alert placed on your credit report, notify one of the credit bureaus in writing that you have been a victim of identity theft and include a copy of your police report. The credit bureau will then alert the other two credit bureaus, and alerts will be placed on all three of your files.