Question about fraud alert on social security number.

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So anyway somebody tried to open up a new credit card wtih my social security number a month back. It was denied but in the meantime I called equifax to put an alert on my account. They automatically update the other two agencies. When I spoke to experian just now they said that these alerts are set for 90 days and then after that you can set it to 7 years if you want. She said that automatically people are denied credit when a fraud alert is on their account. However she said that if you tell them before hand it would be up to the lender. Equifax let me put in a number that people call when they pull the account so that they can speak to me.

So basicaly my question is: does anybody KNOW for sure that it's still possible to get credit with a fraud alert on your account or fOR SURE that it is not/very difficult? We are doing all this because we wanted to get a mortgage approval this month and if this puts a 90 day hold on it I'm going to be monumentally pissed to say the least. :|

 

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:|

 

[Evadman]

get loan first, then add fraud alert.

 

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Originally posted by: Evadman
get loan first, then add fraud alert.

Too late.

 

[flot]

Well, the bank will go to a little more trouble to verify your information. Also make sure you tell the bank ahead of time what happened and what is going on.

You will likely be rejected for any "Automatic approval", but banks are used to having a real live person review your info for a mortgage, so as long as they know the status of your credit and understand why things may be odd, it should be ok.

 

[FoBoT]

linky

14. You do not have to be an identity theft victim to place a "fraud alert" on your three credit reports. With the alerts, you place a statement on your files requesting credit issuers to call you at your phone number before issuing credit. In theory, anyway, if an imposter attempts to open credit in your name, the credit grantor will contact you first. But they do not always pay attention to fraud alerts, so this strategy does not ensure that you?ll prevent identity theft. When you place fraud alerts by phone, the credit bureaus give you a temporary alert, good for only a few months. If you wish to extend the fraud alert, you must write the three credit bureaus and request a seven-year fraud alert. For information on how to establish fraud alerts, read "step one" of the PRC?s Fact Sheet 17a, step one.

Ask that your file be flagged with a fraud alert. Add a victim's statement to your report. ("My ID has been used to apply for credit fraudulently. Contact me at [your phone number] to verify all applications.")

Each credit bureau will mail you a free credit report once you have called them to flag your file with a fraud alert. Fraud alerts are usually placed for 90-180 days. You will want to extend the time period to seven years. Do so in writing following the directions sent in the credit report you receive. You may cancel fraud alerts at any time. In all communications with the credit bureaus, you will want to refer to the unique number assigned to your credit report and use certified, return receipt mail.

Be aware that these measures will not entirely stop new fraudulent accounts from being opened by the imposter. Credit issuers are not required by law to observe fraud alerts. Request a free copy of your credit report every few months so you can monitor for fraud.

there is a lot to read in those links, i don't what will happen, good luck

 

[GoingUp]

Sorry Skooribe...

I took the stalking a little to far.... I wanted to become Skoorb... just like in the film, the Talented Mr. Ripley......

 

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Thanks, fobot. I also found this page on it. The experian lady scared me but I chatted with equifax (I've gone back and forth between the two in a panic. Trans union is closed!) and she said also that I can cancel at anytime. It looks like basically it is what it says it is - before new credit is issued they call my number. I don't think it will put on a "THIS SSN IS SCREWED DON'T LEND MONEY" to a lender though.

I'm very glad the discover card was rejected, though rather surprised because my score is quite high. It's a touch lower now because of that silly inquiry. I think it was probably denied because the people at discover saw that the address/info used didn't match at all the info from my file so they just declined it. Well thanks a lot, Discover, for letting me know! NOT.

Equifax says they'll send me free reports from all bureaus in the mail now as well. I will keep the fraud alert on and since I don't apply for credit often anyway probably extend to the seven years thing once the original alerts run out. I will also consider one of the $70/year things from at least one of the lenders although I don't like the idea of paying that much for the rest of my life (plus the occasional check to the other two bureaus).

 

[MomAndSkoorbaby]

:| :disgust:

 

[BuckNaked]

Don't worry about it.... I have a fraud alert with all three credit bureaus.... I had no problems getting credit afterwards, and I was actually a little dismayed that only one company out of 2 or 3 actually called to verify after applying for the loan....

Dave

 

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Originally posted by: Buck_Naked
Don't worry about it.... I have a fraud alert with all three credit bureaus.... I had no problems getting credit afterwards, and I was actually a little dismayed that only one company out of 2 or 3 actually called to verify after applying for the loan....

Dave

OK good I can get some more credit easily, but why did you put yours on? I'd think an agency that offers credit without checking that by law should instantly suck up any losses without even a question asked. Serves them right! I think discover should have gotten back to me as well if they were being nice.

 

[BuckNaked]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: Buck_Naked
Don't worry about it.... I have a fraud alert with all three credit bureaus.... I had no problems getting credit afterwards, and I was actually a little dismayed that only one company out of 2 or 3 actually called to verify after applying for the loan....

Dave

OK good I can get some more credit easily, but why did you put yours on? I'd think an agency that offers credit without checking that by law should instantly suck up any losses without even a question asked. Serves them right! I think discover should have gotten back to me as well if they were being nice.

I had a significant case of ID Theft and credit fraud commited in my name.... Involving over $16,000 of fraudulent loans, 80+ felonies, and my drivers license suspended in 3 states, among other things....

Dave