Free credit monitoring for active duty military and National Guard

• The FTC's Military Credit Monitoring Rule page says the nationwide consumer reporting agencies must provide free electronic credit monitoring services for active duty military consumers. The rule implements a 2018 law that amended the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
• The FTC's October 2019 press release says Equifax, Experian and TransUnion are providing the free service to active duty service members and National Guard members, and that you sign up on each credit reporting agency's website.
• The FTC's 2019 consumer alert says the agencies must notify you by mobile app, email or text within 48 hours of material changes to your credit file, such as address changes, new negative information, credit limit changes of $100 or more, and new accounts opened in your name. It also says credit monitoring is not complete protection against fraud.
• General information, not financial or legal advice.

Verification: Proof of active duty or National Guard status, as each credit agency requires · Ends: n/a (federal rule)