FEDERAL LAW · PRIMARY SOURCE
Fraud Alert — Initial and Extended
Fair Credit Reporting Act · 15 U.S.C. § 1681c-1(a)
A fraud alert warns creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts. Initial alerts last 1 year; extended alerts (for confirmed identity theft victims) last 7 years and entitle you to 2 free credit reports.
Primary Statute
Fair Credit Reporting Act
15 U.S.C. § 1681c-1(a)
Section 605A allows consumers to place an initial fraud alert lasting 1 year. An extended fraud alert, available to confirmed identity theft victims with a police report, lasts 7 years. During an extended alert, creditors must take reasonable steps to verify identity before extending credit.
https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/statutes/fair-credit-reporting-act