Credit agency fraud alert scams: fake bureau calls, texts and emails
Quick answer
A fraud alert on your credit report is real and free, but a call, text or email that says it's from a credit bureau and pushes you to click or pay may be a scam. Look up the bureau's number yourself, or go to IdentityTheft.gov.
- Comes by
- Phone call, Text, Email
- Pretends to be
- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
- Last updated
How it works
Fraud alerts and credit freezes are real tools. The FTC says you can place a fraud alert by contacting one bureau, which must tell the other two. An initial fraud alert lasts one year and you can renew it for free. Credit freezes are placed separately with each of the three bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Scammers use that worry. The FTC warns that scammers pretend to be government agencies and play on fears of identity theft. A real agency won't tell you to move your money to "protect" it, withdraw cash or buy gold. Any caller who does is running a scam.
If an unexpected call, text or email claims to come from a bureau or agency, don't use the number or link in it. Look up the contact details yourself.
Red flags
- An unexpected call, text or email saying a bureau flagged your credit
- A link or number in the message you're told to use
- A demand to move your money to "protect" it
- A request to withdraw cash or buy gold
- Pressure to act right now
- A request for your Social Security number by message
Example message
Credit alert: suspicious activity was detected on your credit file. Verify your identity now to secure your account: [link]
What to do
- 1
Don't use the link or number in the message
Look up the bureau's contact details yourself.
- 2
Check your credit reports at the official source
The FTC points to the official bureau contacts on IdentityTheft.gov.
- 3
If you gave details, place a fraud alert or freeze
Contact one bureau for a fraud alert, or each of Equifax, Experian and TransUnion for a freeze.
- 4
Never move money to protect it
Real agencies won't ask you to transfer money, withdraw cash or buy gold.
- 5
Report it
Report identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov and scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scammers need a way to reach you, and names, phone numbers, email addresses and home addresses are easy to find on people-search sites and data broker listings or in old data breaches. The fewer places your details are listed, the fewer scammers can reach you with a message that looks personal. Serus finds the sites that list you and removes your data, and alerts you when your details show up in a breach.
Frequently asked
How do I place a fraud alert?
Contact one of the three bureaus. The FTC says it must tell the other two. An initial alert lasts one year and renewal is free.
Is a credit freeze different from a fraud alert?
Yes. The FTC says you place a freeze with each of the three bureaus separately.
A text says my credit was flagged. Is it real?
Don't click. Look up the bureau yourself and check your report there.
Where do I report identity theft?
At IdentityTheft.gov, which gives recovery steps.
Sources
Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll re-check it.