When you have had your credit stolen, you need to decide if you want to have a fraud alert put on your credit file or have your credit file actually stolen. One thing to consider when you’re making this decision is that putting a fraud alert on your file is free. There’s no cost to put it in place or remove it. It automatically expires after 90 days. However, with a frozen credit file, you’re looking at a cost to put it in place and a cost to take it off. Keep in mind these fees and rules vary from state to state.