Military Credit Monitoring: Three Requests

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For U.S. military consumers, an active-duty fraud alert and free credit monitoring require separate requests.

Compare eligibility and purpose

An active-duty alert requires qualifying service away from the usual duty station. The FTC says one bureau tells the other two. The free alert prompts identity checks, lasts one year and is renewable during deployment.

The FTC monitoring rule covers military consumers on qualifying active duty away from their usual duty station, plus National Guard members. Guard members need not be away. A broader status self-certification safe harbor also applies. Ask each bureau about proof and request monitoring separately.

Keep separate confirmations

Suppose Equifax received an alert request and separately confirmed monitoring. Experian and TransUnion monitoring remain unconfirmed. Check the alert placements too.

Monitoring can flag material report changes; it does not prevent every fraud. Use verified bureau instructions, review reports and investigate unfamiliar activity.