Equifax Phone Number

Equifax is one of the three main credit reporting agencies in the United States. Many credit grantors, property managers, landlords and employers use its services to make business decisions. As a result, Equifax receives a lot of calls and requests for customer service each day.

Why Do People Call Equifax Customer Support?

There are many reasons why a person might call Equifax's telephone customer service:

• Questions about inaccurate information on a credit report
• Questions about Equifax's credit monitoring service
• Technical support in using the Equifax website
• Placing a request for a credit report freeze or hold
• Filing a report of identity theft
• Getting information for requesting a personal credit report
• Disputing a FICO(R) credit score

Best Practices for Calling Equifax Customer Service

Here are some tips for ensuring a productive call to Equifax phone-based customer service:

• Equifax offers customer service from 8 am to midnight Eastern Time, seven days per week.
• Check the Equifax website to ensure that you are calling the correct number for your situation or concern. Equifax has multiple customer service departments and each has its own toll free number.
• When calling, be sure to have relevant documentation in front of you, including your Social Security number or Equifax account number. If you are calling about an error on your credit report, have the report in front of you along with any documentation that backs up your side of the story.
• Have pen and paper handy so that you can take notes during your call.

A Word About Free Annual Credit Reports

Federal law gives you the right to request one free credit report from each of the major credit bureaus each year. Don't call Equifax for this report, however. The free report can be obtained from annualcreditreport.com by calling 1-877-322-8228.

You also have a legal right to a free credit report under other circumstances, including:

• An adverse action has been taken against you (such as denying credit, employment or housing applications)
• You are unemployed and looking for a job
• You've been victimized by a scam, identity theft or fraud
• You receive public assistance benefits

If you've already requested your annual reports, you must contact each credit bureau, including Equifax, to receive additional free reports.

How Do People Feel About Their Calls to Equifax Customer Support?

There appears to be a range of opinions on the efficacy of Equifax's customer service. While many people report that Equifax customer service representatives were able to help them in an efficient and timely manner, others have been less helpful.

Typical complaints include long wait times, automated voice systems that are easily triggered by background noise, and representatives who simply give callers a different number to call for assistance. In many cases, real help doesn't seem to be available when some people call Equifax.

What Kind of Issues Can Equifax Customer Support Resolve?

Equifax customer support specialists can address many issues involving Equifax products, such as credit reports and credit monitoring services, as well as placing holds and freezes on reports in situations where identity theft or fraud may be an issue.

Representatives may also be able to assist with disputes to information on credit reports, as well as FICO(R) scores.

What Can't Be Resolved by Phone With Equifax?

Equifax, like any other credit reporting bureau, is a reporting clearinghouse. It does not place information on credit histories, it only reports what creditors are transmitting to Equifax. While Equifax is required by federal law to investigate disputes, it is not authorized to add or remove information except under limited circumstances, which include a creditor authorizing the change or the failure of a creditor to prove that the information is valid.

In some cases, you may have to fax, mail, or upload supporting documentation to Equifax so that it can be reviewed as part of a dispute. Because of all these restrictions and processes, you may not be able to achieve quick results when attempting to dispute information on your credit report.

What Can I Do If I Am Unhappy With My Call to Equifax?

Calls to Equifax don't always go as planned. If you get off the phone with Equifax customer service and feel as though you haven't resolved anything, or are still confused about an issue, don't fret. There are still options available:

• First, review any notes that you took during your call. These can be useful when escalating your case.
• Call Equifax back. The next person you speak to might be in a better position to listen to your situation and provide assistance.
• Get in touch with Equifax via the online forms provided on its website.
• Send a letter via postal mail, with tracking.
• Contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the federal agency that oversees credit bureaus, and file a complaint.