Which statement about initial fraud alerts is true?

• A. It lasts 2 years
• B. It lasts 5 years
• C. It lasts 1 year
• D. It lasts 7 years

Answer: (C)

An initial fraud alert is a precaution placed on your credit file when you suspect identity theft. It prompts lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening new credit. The initial alert lasts one year, and you can renew it for another year if you still need protection. The seven-year duration is for the extended fraud alert, which is a separate, longer protection for victims who file an identity theft report. So, the true statement is that an initial fraud alert lasts one year.