As a servicemember, you face unique challenges related to identity theft.
Unusual work schedules, frequent relocation and deployment affect your
access to normal consumer protection channels.
Active Duty Alert
Active duty servicemembers away from their usual duty station (or a person acting on behalf of or as a personal
representative of the servicemember through a power of attorney) may place,
at no cost, an active duty alert on their credit report.
Active duty alerts remain on your credit report for 1 year unless you request
it to be removed. If your deployment exceeds that time frame, you can place
another alert in your credit report. While the alert is in effect, creditors
must verify your identity before issuing credit in your name, alleviating financial
fraud on your accounts. Before you place an active duty alert on your
credit report, consider that this may make it more difficult for your
spouse to obtain additional credit.
To place an active duty alert, or have it removed, you can call any of the
three nationwide consumer reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian or TransUnion)
listed on Identity Theft — Resources For More Information.
For more information, visit www.ftc.gov/credit.
Staying Informed
The Military Sentinel is a Web site www.ftc.gov/sentinel
that helps you understand and address forms of identity theft and consumer fraud
that may affect you. Military Sentinel’s tools include the following.
- Scam alerts to warn you of current fraudulent
solicitations for personal information.
- A database that identifies scam artists and
others who try to defraud servicemembers.
- Educational materials on understanding credit
issues and recognizing fraudulent offers such as
work-at-home scams and advance-fee loan scams.
- A secure, online form for reporting identity theft
complaints directly to the Federal Trade Commission and
Department of Defense officials.
The USAA Educational Foundation publication,
Families Dealing With
Deployment,
offers more information.
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