An initial 90 Day Fraud Alert stays on your credit report for at least 90 days. You may ask that an initial fraud alert be placed on your credit report if you suspect you have been, or are about to be, a victim of identity theft. An initial fraud alert is appropriate if your wallet has been stolen, your mail was stolen, or you accidently gave an online merchant too much information. When you place an initial fraud alert on your credit report, you are entitled to one free credit report from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus. In addition, the credit bureaus will remove your name from marketing lists for pre-screened credit offers for a period of 2 years.

The extended 7 year fraud alert stays on your credit report for 7 years. A 7 Year extended fraud alert is only available to individuals who can prove they have been a victim of identity theft. The extended 7 year fraud alert entitles the individual to two free credit reports every twelve months from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus. In addition, the credit bureaus will remove your name from marketing lists for pre-screened credit offers for 5 years unless you ask them to put your name back on the list.