What is an active duty alert?

An active duty alert is available for service members on active military duty who want to help minimize their risk of fraud or identity theft while deployed. An active duty alert is similar to an initial fraud alert; it can make it harder for someone to open unauthorized accounts in your name. It encourages lenders and creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity, such as contacting you by phone, before opening a new credit account in your name or making changes to existing accounts.

An active duty alert is free and lasts for one year, and your name is removed from pre-screened credit card or insurance offers for two years.

You can contact any of the three nationwide credit bureaus to request an active duty alert. Once you have placed an active duty alert on your credit report with one of the bureaus, that bureau will send a request to the other two bureaus to do the same, so you do not have to contact all three.

To place an active duty alert, create or sign in to a myEquifax account, or call our automated line at (800) 685-1111. You can also place an active duty alert by mail by downloading and following the instructions on the Alert Request Form.