If you are in the military and find yourself on deployment in a moment’s notice, it’s not always easy to ensure your financial life is well cared for in your absence.
The following is from a post from the Federal Trade Commission on how service personnel can use the Active Duty Alert system to add a second layer of protection to keep themselves from being defrauded while deployed.
Service-members who deploy can place an active duty alert on their credit reports to help minimize their risk of identity theft.
An active duty alert on a credit report means businesses have to take extra steps before granting credit in your name. Active duty alerts last for 1 year, and can be renewed to match the period of deployment.
How to Request an Active Duty Alert
Contact 1 credit reporting company.
Request an active duty alert.
Provide proof of identity, like a government-issued identity card, driver’s license, birth certificate, or passport.
The company you call must contact the others.
The credit reporting companies will take your name off their marketing list for prescreened credit card offers for 2 years, unless you ask them to add you back onto the list.
Mark your calendar.
Active duty alerts last for 1 year. If your deployment lasts longer, renew the alert.
Update your files.
Record the dates you made calls or sent letters.
Keep copies of letters in your files.
Contact Information For fraud alerts and freezing your credit:
1-800-680-7289
1-888-397-3742
1-800-525-6285
1-800-540-2505
