If you’re to be deployed, you should take steps to prevent ID theft

November 11, 2010 – 11:59 am

If you’re a member of the military and deployed from your usual duty station, you may place an active duty alert on your credit report to help minimize the risk of identity theft while you’re away.

Your credit report contains information on where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you’ve been sued, arrested or filed for bankruptcy. Creditors, insurers, employers and other businesses use the information in your report to evaluate your applications for credit and for other purposes as well.

Identity thieves may use your personal information to open new accounts in your name. Then, when they don’t pay the bills, the delinquent accounts are reported on your credit report. Inaccurate or fraudulent information could affect your ability to get credit, insurance or housing, both now and in the future.

But if you place an active duty alert on your report, businesses must verify your identity before issuing credit in your name. This makes it harder for identity thieves to use your information to apply for credit. Active duty alerts remain on your credit report for one year, unless you request it be removed sooner. If your deployment lasts longer, you may place another alert.

To place an alert, you will need to call one of the three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. You only have to contact one – they are required to notify each other of such alerts.

When you place an active duty alert, your name will be removed from the nationwide consumer reporting companies’ marketing lists for prescreened offers of credit and insurance for two years, unless you notify the credit reporting agencies that you’d like it added again.

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