Equifax

Equifax is one of the largest credit bureaus in the world with over 7,000 employees in 14 different countries. It collects and maintains credit records on approximately 400 million credit holding individuals.  It is publicly listed company (stock ticker: NYSE:EFX) with 2005 revenues of over 1.5billion.
 

Index:

Equifax Fraud Alert
Equifax Credit Report
Equifax Dispute
Equifax Online Dispute
Sample Dispute Letter
Sample Resolution Letter
Equifax Credit Watch
Equifax Security Freeze
Equifax Promotional Code
Equifax Address
Equifax Phone Numbers

Equifax United States

Equifax is the oldest out of the big three American credit bureaus (TransUnion and Experian being the other two), it has it’s own branded FICO score titled “Beacon score“. In March of 2006 Equifax combined with the other two american bureaus to launch Vantage score which directly competes with FICO, despite the backing of these bureaus it has been unable to gain much market share according to a recent court case.

Both of these credit scores are based of the data Equifax collects from data furnishers (different credit institutions such as banks), this credit information is collated and turn into credit reports. Each individual is entitled to one free credit report from Equifax every twelve months.

Equifax Fraud Alert

There are two types of fraud alerts, an initial 90 day fraud alert and an extended fraud alert (lasts 7 years). If a fraud alert is placed on your name then lenders must take additional steps to identify you whenever somebody tries to take out a loan, increase a credit limit or obtain a new card.

There is also a less common fraud alert called active duty alert, which is available for those who are on active duty in the military. This lasts twelve months. Those who apply for active duty alert also have their names removed from  prescreened offers for credit cards and insurance.

When you place a fraud alert with Equifax you do not need to notify the other two credit bureaus as Equifax will contact them on your behalf and put fraud alerts on with those bureaus as well.

How to place a fraud alert on your account:

• Online: Place an Initial 90 Day Fraud Alert or Active Duty Alert
• Call: 1-800-525-6285 OR
• Write to:
  
  Equifax Information Services LLC
  P.O. Box 105069
  Atlanta, GA 30348-5069

Equifax Credit Report

All three of the credit bureaus are required to give individuals a free copy of their credit report every twelve months, these credit reports do not include any form of credit scores. These must be purchased/obtained separately. There are a number of ways to get a free credit score our suggestion is to try creditreport.com as they’ll give you all three of your credit reports along with your credit scores from each bureau. Once you’ve receive your report it’s important that you go through it and make sure there are no errors, if you find an error please read our information below.

>>> Click To Get Your Free FICO Scores From Creditreport.com NOW <<<

Equifax Dispute

If you find an error on your Equifax credit report it’s important that you dispute this, as errors will affect your credit score and thus decrease the likelihood you will be approved for credit. It’s recommended that you contact the credit institutions that have reported the incorrect information and resolve the issue with them first and then open up a dispute with Equifax. If the credit institution disagrees with your verison of events, submit a dispute with Equifax and make sure you have supporting evidence for your claims as this will be needed.

The reason behind contacting the credit institutions that have provided the incorrect information first is that Equifax will contact them when trying to solve a dispute. If this credit institution (which is known as a data furnisher in this instance) says the information is incorrect then your dispute will be an open and shut case and your credit report will be updated with this information quickly. If the data furnisher disagrees with your verision of events, then you’ll need supporting evidence for your case. This will take longer for your credit report to be updated with the correct information.

Alternatively you can save yourself the hassle by using a credit repair agency, these agencies have a number of lawyers on staff that will do this all for you. We recommend using Lexington Law as they have direct relationships with the credit bureaus and can get incorrect or inaccurate listings removed promptly. You can sign up online or contact them on 1-855-255-0044.

Equifax Online Dispute

You can open a dispute with Equifax online via: Equifax Online Dispute, if you start an online dispute you will only be able to check the status of this dispute online. You will be given a reference number, it’s important that you keep this safe.

You can also start a dispute via post:

Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc

Credit Disputes

P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374

Sample Dispute Letter

Dear Equifax:

Please find a letter I received from <credit institution that has reported incorrect information> regarding <incorrect details>. I  contacted this company challenging whether or not a late payment was valid.  In response to their error, they have agreed to erase the account from my credit.  The letter states: “a request has been sent to the credit reporting agencies… Experian, in order to delete the late payment from the account.”

Please take this item off my credit history.  My Equifax credit report number is <insert your number here>.

When complete, please send me a copy of an updated credit report.

Thanking you in advance

<Your Name>,

<Address>

 

Via phone: If you’d like to make a dispute via phone you’ll need to call the number which is listed at the top of your Equifax credit report. You’ll also need your Report Confirmation Number which is at the top of your report as well.

It will take up to 30 days for Equifax to respond to your credit report dispute. It’s also important to start disputes with both of the other credit bureaus if this incorrect information is on their credit reports.

Sample Experian Report After A Dispute Has been Settled

 

Equifax Credit Watch

Equifax credit watch is a paid membership service (starting at $12.95/month), which allows it’s members to obtain up to date credit reports, scores and set credit locking settings. It also provides it’s members with up to $1,000,000 in identity theft insurance. A full feature list can be found here.

Equifax Security Freeze

A security freeze is designed to prevent the information which is found in your credit report from being shared with others. There are some cases where this information is still shared despite a security freeze being on the account – such as when required under law. Security freezes are mostly commonly used when somebody has been the victim of identity theft which will make it almost impossible for anybody using their name to apply for and be accepted for credit.

If you’d like to put an equifax security freeze onto your account, remove a security freeze or a put a temporary hold on a security freeze please visit here. The costs associated will depend on your state laws and your reasoning behind wanting a security freeze (for example if you are the victim of identity theft you will generally pay less). View a full table of state fees here.

More information about the Equifax security freeze can be found here.

Equifax Promotional Code

As of June 9th 2011 there are no current and valid coupon or promotional codes for equifax. We will update this page if a new coupon becomes available. If you know of one that works, please contact us.

Equifax Address

Equifax’s american address is as follows:

Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374

Equifax Phone Numbers

Here are a number of different phone numbers for different services:

Opt out of their mailing lists: 1-888-567-8688

Equifax Credit Watch Members: 1-800-4-Equifax

If you know any more numbers for Equifax, please send them to us via our contact form.

Canada

Equifax also have offices in Canada, Canada relies on a more simplistic credit rating system with every line of credit being given an R-Rating.

Contact details for Equifax Canada:

Equifax Canada Inc. – Fraud Services
Box 190 Jean Talon Station
Montreal, Quebec H1S2Z2
Phone: 800-465-7166
Fax: 514-355-8502