{"id":"equifax","page":"https://escalate.alexgaoth.com/#/c/equifax","html":"https://escalate.alexgaoth.com/c/equifax/","generated":"2026-10-15","company":{"id":"equifax","name":"Equifax","aliases":["equifax inc","equifax information services","myequifax"],"sector":"credit_bureau","parent":"Equifax Inc.","website":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/","account_url":"https://my.equifax.com/membercenter/#/login","official_domains":["equifax.com","annualcreditreport.com"],"security":{"known_scams":[{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says an email, pop-up ad or phone call from someone claiming to be from AnnualCreditReport.com or any of the credit bureaus is probably a scam. AnnualCreditReport.com and the credit bureaus will not email you asking for your Social Security number or account information.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says only one website, AnnualCreditReport.com, is authorized to fill orders for the free annual credit reports you are entitled to by law. Other sites pretend to be associated with it or claim to offer free credit reports, free credit scores or free credit monitoring.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says companies that promise to repair your credit cannot remove true information, and it is illegal for credit repair companies to charge you before they help you. Scammers insist you pay first, tell you not to contact the credit bureaus directly, or tell you to lie on credit applications or file a false identity theft report.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/fixing-your-credit-faqs","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}]},"regulators":["cfpb","ftc"],"notes":"Equifax Inc. (NYSE: EFX, Atlanta) is the parent. The consumer credit file is held by Equifax Information Services LLC, the name used on dispute, freeze and fraud alert mail. In 2026 Equifax Inc. signed an agreement to acquire Círculo de Crédito (Mexico); this does not change US consumer channels.","channels":[{"id":"dispute-online","type":"portal","label":"Online credit report dispute (myEquifax)","value":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"login","notes":"The \"Submit a dispute\" button goes to https://my.equifax.com/consumer-registration/rest/1.0/redirectPartnerTenant?intent=DISPUTE. New users must create a myEquifax account first (age 18 or older). You may need to upload documents such as a driver's license or utility bill. Dispute status is also checked by signing in.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"dispute-mail","type":"mail","label":"Credit report dispute by mail","value":"Equifax Information Services, LLC, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374-0256","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"open","notes":"Include copies of supporting documents. Equifax publishes a dispute form at https://assets.equifax.com/assets/personal/Dispute.pdf. The FTC page lists ZIP 30348 for this box; Equifax's own page shows 30374-0256. Results of a mailed dispute come back by U.S. mail.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/mail-in-credit-report-dispute/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"customer-care-phone","type":"phone","label":"1-888-EQUIFAX customer care (disputes, consumer statements, freezes)","value":"+1-888-378-4329","hours":"9:00 am to 9:00 pm ET Monday through Friday; 9:00 am to 6:00 pm ET Saturday and Sunday","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","account_access"],"notes":"Equifax's own dispute pages give this number for phone disputes and for adding a consumer statement. The CFPB and FTC list (866) 349-5191 for Equifax disputes; Equifax's site shows that number for requesting additional report copies. Have the dispute confirmation number ready to check a dispute's status.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"freeze-online","type":"portal","label":"Place, lift or remove a security freeze online","value":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"login","notes":"Needs a myEquifax account (age 18 or older).","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/place-lift-remove-security-freeze/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"freeze-phone","type":"phone","label":"Security freeze by phone","value":"+1-888-298-0045","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"human_only","notes":"The caller must verify identity. The myEquifax terms page lists a different automated freeze line, 800-685-1111; the freeze page and the freeze help article list (888) 298-0045.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"freeze-mail","type":"mail","label":"Security freeze requests by mail","value":"Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348-5788","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"open","notes":"Use the Security Freeze Request Form (https://assets.equifax.com/assets/personal/Security_Freeze_Request_Form.pdf) with copies of identity and address documents.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/terms/myequifaxterms/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"fraud-alert-online","type":"portal","label":"Place a fraud alert or active duty alert online","value":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-fraud-alerts/","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"login","notes":"Online placement goes through myEquifax (https://my.equifax.com/consumer-registration/rest/1.0/redirectPartnerTenant?intent=FRAUD_ALERT). Equifax needs an active Equifax credit file to place an alert. A 7-year extended alert needs the Extended Fraud Alert Request Form and a police report or FTC Identity Theft Report.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/place-fraud-active-duty-alert/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"fraud-alert-phone","type":"phone","label":"Initial fraud alert or active duty alert by phone","value":"+1-800-525-6285","purposes":["fraud"],"notes":"The help article and the myEquifax terms page list this number. The fraud alert product page lists an automated line, 888-836-6351, which the terms page labels as Customer Care.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/place-fraud-active-duty-alert/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"fraud-alert-mail","type":"mail","label":"Initial fraud alert or active duty alert by mail","value":"Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 105069, Atlanta, GA 30348-5069","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"open","notes":"Use the Fraud Alert Request Form (https://assets.equifax.com/assets/personal/Fraud_Alert_Request_Form.pdf). Extended 7-year alerts go to the address on the extended alert form.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/place-fraud-active-duty-alert/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"cancel-product-phone","type":"phone","label":"Cancel an Equifax product","value":"+1-866-640-2273","hours":"9am-9pm ET Monday-Friday; 9am-6pm ET Saturday and Sunday","purposes":["cancel_service"],"source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/help-contact-equifax/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"annualcreditreport","type":"portal","label":"AnnualCreditReport.com (free reports from all three bureaus)","value":"https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","fraud"],"access":"open","notes":"The only site authorized under federal law to fill orders for the free reports. It blocks some automated requests.","source":"https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"annualcreditreport-phone","type":"phone","label":"Annual Credit Report request line","value":"+1-877-322-8228","purposes":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"annualcreditreport-mail","type":"mail","label":"Annual Credit Report request by mail","value":"Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281","purposes":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"escalation":[{"rung":"written_complaint","channel":"dispute-online","note":"Or dispute by mail (dispute-mail). Also dispute with the company that supplied the data."},{"rung":"regulator","regulator":"cfpb"},{"rung":"state_agency","agency_kind":"attorney_general"},{"rung":"small_claims"}],"playbooks":[{"issue":"credit_report_error","summary":"Get the report, dispute each wrong item online or by mail with proof, and also dispute it with the lender that reported it.","evidence":["Equifax credit report page with the error","proof of the correct information","copy of government ID","proof of current address"],"steps":[{"do":"Get a free Equifax report from AnnualCreditReport.com and mark each wrong item.","channel":"annualcreditreport"},{"do":"File the dispute online through myEquifax and upload proof. Save the confirmation number.","channel":"dispute-online"},{"do":"If you cannot use myEquifax, mail the dispute form with copies (not originals) of the proof.","channel":"dispute-mail"},{"do":"Dispute the item with the lender or creditor that reported it, too.","note":"Equifax says this is a good first step, especially for name or address errors."},{"do":"If you disagree with the result, file a new dispute with more documents, or add a consumer statement of 100 words or less.","channel":"customer-care-phone"},{"do":"If Equifax does not fix a verified error, complain to the CFPB.","regulator":"cfpb"}],"facts":[{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Equifax says it will notify you of the results of its dispute investigation within 30 days of the dispute request.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"If the dispute results do not satisfy you, you can ask Equifax to add a consumer statement of 100 words or less, by mail to P.O. Box 740256 or by phone at 1-888-378-4329.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/steps-dispute-credit-investigation-results/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The bureau must forward your evidence to the business that reported the information, give you the results in writing, and give you a free copy of the report if the dispute changes it.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/disputing-errors-your-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"If a bureau decides a dispute is frivolous or irrelevant, it must notify you within five business days and explain why.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-do-i-dispute-an-error-on-my-credit-report-en-314/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}]},{"issue":"debt_collection","summary":"Dispute a wrong collection account with Equifax and ask the debt collector in writing for validation.","evidence":["collection letter","proof of payment or proof the debt is not yours","Equifax credit report page with the collection"],"steps":[{"do":"Ask the debt collector in writing for the validation information (creditor name, amount, how to dispute). Keep copies.","note":"CFPB sample letters cover \"I do not owe this debt\" and \"I need more information about this debt\"."},{"do":"Dispute the collection account with Equifax online or by mail. Attach proof of payment or proof the debt is not yours.","channel":"dispute-online"},{"do":"If the collector or Equifax does not correct it, complain to the CFPB.","regulator":"cfpb"}],"facts":[{"kind":"limit","claim":"A credit reporting company generally can report most negative information for seven years; bankruptcies can stay for up to ten years.","issues":["debt_collection"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-long-does-negative-information-remain-on-my-credit-report-en-323/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Debt collectors generally must provide validation information within five days of the initial communication; some requests must be made within 30 days of being contacted.","issues":["debt_collection"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-should-i-do-if-a-debt-collector-has-reported-a-debt-on-my-credit-report-that-isnt-mine-en-1695/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}]},{"issue":"fraud","summary":"For identity theft, place a free fraud alert (one bureau tells the other two) and a free security freeze at each bureau.","evidence":["FTC Identity Theft Report or police report (for an extended alert)","copy of government ID","proof of address"],"steps":[{"do":"Place an initial fraud alert online, by phone or by mail. Equifax sends the request to Experian and TransUnion.","channel":"fraud-alert-online"},{"do":"Place a security freeze with Equifax. Repeat at Experian and TransUnion, because a freeze is per bureau.","channel":"freeze-online"},{"do":"For a 7-year extended alert, send the Extended Fraud Alert Request Form with a police report or FTC Identity Theft Report.","channel":"fraud-alert-mail"},{"do":"Dispute accounts you did not open.","channel":"dispute-online"}],"facts":[{"kind":"limit","claim":"An initial fraud alert or active duty alert lasts one year; identity theft victims with a police or FTC identity theft report can request a seven-year extended fraud alert.","issues":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/place-fraud-active-duty-alert/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"When you place an initial alert with one bureau, that bureau sends a request to the other two bureaus to do the same.","issues":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/place-fraud-active-duty-alert/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"A bureau must place a freeze within one business day of a phone or online request and lift it within one hour; for a mailed request it has up to three business days.","issues":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-credit-freeze-or-security-freeze-on-my-credit-report-en-1341/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}]}],"facts":[{"kind":"fee","claim":"Placing, temporarily lifting, or removing a security freeze with Equifax is free.","issues":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"fee","claim":"Fraud alerts, extended fraud alerts and active duty alerts with Equifax are free.","issues":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-fraud-alerts/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The three bureaus have permanently extended the program that lets you check your credit report from each of them once a week for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"Under various settlements, Equifax makes at least six additional free Equifax credit reports each year available online on annualcreditreport.com until December 31, 2026.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/multiple-free-credit-reports/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"tips":[{"kind":"official","text":"Contact the lender or creditor that reported the information directly as a first step, especially for name or address errors.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/correct-dispute-information-credit-reports/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"official","text":"Keep the dispute confirmation number; Equifax needs it to give a status update by phone or mail.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/check-status-credit-report-dispute/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"known_blockers":["Online disputes, freezes and fraud alerts need a myEquifax account (age 18 or older), which the account holder must create and sign in to.","Disputes may need uploaded identity or address documents, such as a driver's license or utility bill.","The freeze phone line asks the caller to verify identity, so the account holder must call.","A fraud alert needs an active Equifax credit file."]},"playbooks":{"credit_report_error":{"company":{"id":"equifax","name":"Equifax","sector":"credit_bureau","website":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/","account_url":"https://my.equifax.com/membercenter/#/login"},"issue":{"id":"credit_report_error","name":"Error on a credit report"},"playbook_source":"company","summary":"Get the report, dispute each wrong item online or by mail with proof, and also dispute it with the lender that reported it.","evidence":["Equifax credit report page with the error","proof of the correct information","copy of government ID","proof of current address"],"steps":[{"do":"Get a free Equifax report from AnnualCreditReport.com and mark each wrong item.","channel":{"id":"annualcreditreport","type":"portal","label":"AnnualCreditReport.com (free reports from all three bureaus)","value":"https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","fraud"],"access":"open","notes":"The only site authorized under federal law to fill orders for the free reports. It blocks some automated requests.","source":"https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"do":"File the dispute online through myEquifax and upload proof. Save the confirmation number.","channel":{"id":"dispute-online","type":"portal","label":"Online credit report dispute (myEquifax)","value":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"login","notes":"The \"Submit a dispute\" button goes to https://my.equifax.com/consumer-registration/rest/1.0/redirectPartnerTenant?intent=DISPUTE. New users must create a myEquifax account first (age 18 or older). You may need to upload documents such as a driver's license or utility bill. Dispute status is also checked by signing in.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"do":"If you cannot use myEquifax, mail the dispute form with copies (not originals) of the proof.","channel":{"id":"dispute-mail","type":"mail","label":"Credit report dispute by mail","value":"Equifax Information Services, LLC, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374-0256","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"open","notes":"Include copies of supporting documents. Equifax publishes a dispute form at https://assets.equifax.com/assets/personal/Dispute.pdf. The FTC page lists ZIP 30348 for this box; Equifax's own page shows 30374-0256. Results of a mailed dispute come back by U.S. mail.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/mail-in-credit-report-dispute/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"do":"Dispute the item with the lender or creditor that reported it, too.","note":"Equifax says this is a good first step, especially for name or address errors."},{"do":"If you disagree with the result, file a new dispute with more documents, or add a consumer statement of 100 words or less.","channel":{"id":"customer-care-phone","type":"phone","label":"1-888-EQUIFAX customer care (disputes, consumer statements, freezes)","value":"+1-888-378-4329","hours":"9:00 am to 9:00 pm ET Monday through Friday; 9:00 am to 6:00 pm ET Saturday and Sunday","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","account_access"],"notes":"Equifax's own dispute pages give this number for phone disputes and for adding a consumer statement. The CFPB and FTC list (866) 349-5191 for Equifax disputes; Equifax's site shows that number for requesting additional report copies. Have the dispute confirmation number ready to check a dispute's status.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"do":"If Equifax does not fix a verified error, complain to the CFPB.","regulator":{"id":"cfpb","name":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau","level":"federal","when_to_use":"Use for a problem with a consumer financial product (bank account, credit card, credit report, debt collection, money transfer, mortgage, loan) after the company did not fix it. Put every fact and document in one complaint, because a second complaint about the same problem is generally not accepted.","channels":[{"id":"complaint-form","type":"web_form","label":"Submit a complaint","value":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","transaction_dispute","fee_reversal","frozen_funds","fraud","billing_error","unauthorized_charge","student_loan_servicing"],"notes":"Online filing takes about 7 to 10 minutes. Your mailing address is required so the company can respond.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-phone","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line","value":"+1-855-411-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","notes":"A phone complaint takes about 25 to 30 minutes.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-tty","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line, TTY/TDD","value":"+1-855-729-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-mail","type":"mail","label":"Complaints by mail","value":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, PO Box 27170, Washington, DC 20038","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB sends each complaint to the company for a response. If another government agency is better able to help, the CFPB sends the complaint there and tells you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Companies generally respond in 15 days. In some cases the company says its response is in progress and gives a final response within 60 days.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"You have 60 days after the company responds to give feedback about the response.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB publishes information about the complaint in its public Consumer Complaint Database, without information that directly identifies you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"A complaint should give the key facts in your own words with the important dates, amounts and communications, and may attach supporting documents up to 50 pages. A person filing for someone else must say so, and companies generally need signed written authorization from the consumer.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB says federal student loan programs are within the sole legal purview of the Department of Education, and sends federal loan questions to studentaid.gov.","issues":["student_loan_servicing"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/student-loans/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"notes":"2025-2026 status: the CFPB's funding, staffing and leadership were in litigation (a reduction-in-force order and the acting director's refusal to request Federal Reserve funding; three district courts rejected that refusal, the latest on 2026-09-25). On 2026-10-12 the complaint pages (modified 2026-10-05) still accepted complaints and described the 15-day company response, and the form had added a path for debanking complaints under Executive Order 14331. For federal student loans, use Federal Student Aid (ed-fsa) first."}}],"channels":[{"id":"dispute-online","type":"portal","label":"Online credit report dispute (myEquifax)","value":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"login","notes":"The \"Submit a dispute\" button goes to https://my.equifax.com/consumer-registration/rest/1.0/redirectPartnerTenant?intent=DISPUTE. New users must create a myEquifax account first (age 18 or older). You may need to upload documents such as a driver's license or utility bill. Dispute status is also checked by signing in.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"dispute-mail","type":"mail","label":"Credit report dispute by mail","value":"Equifax Information Services, LLC, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374-0256","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"open","notes":"Include copies of supporting documents. Equifax publishes a dispute form at https://assets.equifax.com/assets/personal/Dispute.pdf. The FTC page lists ZIP 30348 for this box; Equifax's own page shows 30374-0256. Results of a mailed dispute come back by U.S. mail.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/mail-in-credit-report-dispute/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"customer-care-phone","type":"phone","label":"1-888-EQUIFAX customer care (disputes, consumer statements, freezes)","value":"+1-888-378-4329","hours":"9:00 am to 9:00 pm ET Monday through Friday; 9:00 am to 6:00 pm ET Saturday and Sunday","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","account_access"],"notes":"Equifax's own dispute pages give this number for phone disputes and for adding a consumer statement. The CFPB and FTC list (866) 349-5191 for Equifax disputes; Equifax's site shows that number for requesting additional report copies. Have the dispute confirmation number ready to check a dispute's status.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"annualcreditreport","type":"portal","label":"AnnualCreditReport.com (free reports from all three bureaus)","value":"https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","fraud"],"access":"open","notes":"The only site authorized under federal law to fill orders for the free reports. It blocks some automated requests.","source":"https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"annualcreditreport-phone","type":"phone","label":"Annual Credit Report request line","value":"+1-877-322-8228","purposes":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"annualcreditreport-mail","type":"mail","label":"Annual Credit Report request by mail","value":"Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281","purposes":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Equifax says it will notify you of the results of its dispute investigation within 30 days of the dispute request.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"If the dispute results do not satisfy you, you can ask Equifax to add a consumer statement of 100 words or less, by mail to P.O. Box 740256 or by phone at 1-888-378-4329.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/steps-dispute-credit-investigation-results/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The bureau must forward your evidence to the business that reported the information, give you the results in writing, and give you a free copy of the report if the dispute changes it.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/disputing-errors-your-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"If a bureau decides a dispute is frivolous or irrelevant, it must notify you within five business days and explain why.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-do-i-dispute-an-error-on-my-credit-report-en-314/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The three bureaus have permanently extended the program that lets you check your credit report from each of them once a week for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"Under various settlements, Equifax makes at least six additional free Equifax credit reports each year available online on annualcreditreport.com until December 31, 2026.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/multiple-free-credit-reports/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"rules":{"in_force":[{"id":"fcra-dispute","title":"Fair Credit Reporting Act dispute rights (credit bureaus and furnishers)","citation":"15 U.S.C. 1681i; 15 U.S.C. 1681j(a)(3); 12 CFR 1022.43 (Regulation V)","jurisdiction":"us-federal","status":"in_effect","summary":"A consumer can dispute inaccurate or incomplete information with a credit bureau, which must reinvestigate free of charge within 30 days (up to 15 more days in some cases), notify the furnisher within 5 business days, and delete or correct information that is inaccurate, incomplete or cannot be verified. A consumer can also dispute certain information directly with the company that furnished it.","source":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681i","last_verified":"2026-10-12","points":[{"kind":"deadline","claim":"The credit bureau must reinvestigate free of charge and finish \"before the end of the 30-day period beginning on the date on which the agency receives the notice\" of the dispute.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2023-title15/html/USCODE-2023-title15-chap41-subchapIII-sec1681i.htm","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"The 30-day period may be extended \"for not more than 15 additional days\" if the bureau receives relevant information from the consumer during the 30 days. The extension does not apply if, during the 30 days, the information is found inaccurate or incomplete or the bureau finds it cannot be verified.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2023-title15/html/USCODE-2023-title15-chap41-subchapIII-sec1681i.htm","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"A reinvestigation requested after the consumer receives a free annual report from a nationwide bureau \"shall be completed not later than 45 days after the date on which the request is received\".","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681j","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"The bureau must notify the furnisher of the dispute within 5 business days after receiving it, and must give the consumer written notice of the results not later than 5 business days after completing the reinvestigation. If it ends a dispute as frivolous or irrelevant, it must tell the consumer not later than 5 business days after that determination.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681i","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"Information found inaccurate or incomplete, or that cannot be verified, must be promptly deleted or modified. Deleted information cannot be put back unless the furnisher certifies it is complete and accurate, and the consumer must be told in writing within 5 business days of reinsertion.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681i","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"If the reinvestigation does not resolve the dispute, the consumer may file a brief statement of the dispute. The bureau may limit it to one hundred words if it helps the consumer write a clear summary. On request, the bureau must send notice of a deletion or correction to recipients who got the report for employment purposes within the past two years, or for any other purpose within the past six months.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681i","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"Direct disputes with a furnisher (Regulation V): a furnisher must reasonably investigate a direct dispute about the consumer's liability on an account, the account terms, the consumer's conduct on the account, or other information bearing on creditworthiness. The dispute must go to the furnisher's direct-dispute address (an address on the credit report, an address the furnisher specified, or any business address if none was specified), identify the account and the disputed information, explain the basis, and include supporting documents.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1022/43/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"The furnisher must complete its investigation of a direct dispute and report the results to the consumer within the same period a credit bureau has under FCRA section 611(a)(1). If it finds the information inaccurate, it must promptly notify each bureau it reported to and correct it.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1022/43/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"limit","claim":"A furnisher need not investigate direct disputes about identifying information (name, date of birth, Social Security number), employers, inquiries, public records, or fraud and active-duty alerts, or disputes it reasonably believes come from a credit repair organization. If it finds a dispute frivolous or irrelevant, it must tell the consumer within five business days, with its reasons.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1022/43/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}]}],"not_in_force":[]},"tips":[{"kind":"official","text":"Contact the lender or creditor that reported the information directly as a first step, especially for name or address errors.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/correct-dispute-information-credit-reports/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"official","text":"Keep the dispute confirmation number; Equifax needs it to give a status update by phone or mail.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/check-status-credit-report-dispute/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"escalation":[{"index":0,"rung":"written_complaint","note":"Or dispute by mail (dispute-mail). Also dispute with the company that supplied the data.","channel":{"id":"dispute-online","type":"portal","label":"Online credit report dispute (myEquifax)","value":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"login","notes":"The \"Submit a dispute\" button goes to https://my.equifax.com/consumer-registration/rest/1.0/redirectPartnerTenant?intent=DISPUTE. New users must create a myEquifax account first (age 18 or older). You may need to upload documents such as a driver's license or utility bill. Dispute status is also checked by signing in.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"index":1,"rung":"regulator","regulator":{"id":"cfpb","name":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau","level":"federal","when_to_use":"Use for a problem with a consumer financial product (bank account, credit card, credit report, debt collection, money transfer, mortgage, loan) after the company did not fix it. Put every fact and document in one complaint, because a second complaint about the same problem is generally not accepted.","channels":[{"id":"complaint-form","type":"web_form","label":"Submit a complaint","value":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","transaction_dispute","fee_reversal","frozen_funds","fraud","billing_error","unauthorized_charge","student_loan_servicing"],"notes":"Online filing takes about 7 to 10 minutes. Your mailing address is required so the company can respond.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-phone","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line","value":"+1-855-411-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","notes":"A phone complaint takes about 25 to 30 minutes.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-tty","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line, TTY/TDD","value":"+1-855-729-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-mail","type":"mail","label":"Complaints by mail","value":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, PO Box 27170, Washington, DC 20038","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB sends each complaint to the company for a response. If another government agency is better able to help, the CFPB sends the complaint there and tells you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Companies generally respond in 15 days. In some cases the company says its response is in progress and gives a final response within 60 days.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"You have 60 days after the company responds to give feedback about the response.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB publishes information about the complaint in its public Consumer Complaint Database, without information that directly identifies you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"A complaint should give the key facts in your own words with the important dates, amounts and communications, and may attach supporting documents up to 50 pages. A person filing for someone else must say so, and companies generally need signed written authorization from the consumer.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB says federal student loan programs are within the sole legal purview of the Department of Education, and sends federal loan questions to studentaid.gov.","issues":["student_loan_servicing"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/student-loans/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"notes":"2025-2026 status: the CFPB's funding, staffing and leadership were in litigation (a reduction-in-force order and the acting director's refusal to request Federal Reserve funding; three district courts rejected that refusal, the latest on 2026-09-25). On 2026-10-12 the complaint pages (modified 2026-10-05) still accepted complaints and described the 15-day company response, and the form had added a path for debanking complaints under Executive Order 14331. For federal student loans, use Federal Student Aid (ed-fsa) first."}},{"index":2,"rung":"state_agency","agency_kind":"attorney_general","agencies":"Ask for the person's state, then call find_regulators."},{"index":3,"rung":"small_claims"}],"known_blockers":["Online disputes, freezes and fraud alerts need a myEquifax account (age 18 or older), which the account holder must create and sign in to.","Disputes may need uploaded identity or address documents, such as a driver's license or utility bill.","The freeze phone line asks the caller to verify identity, so the account holder must call.","A fraud alert needs an active Equifax credit file."],"security":{"official_domains":["equifax.com","annualcreditreport.com"],"never_asks":[],"known_scams":[{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says an email, pop-up ad or phone call from someone claiming to be from AnnualCreditReport.com or any of the credit bureaus is probably a scam. AnnualCreditReport.com and the credit bureaus will not email you asking for your Social Security number or account information.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says only one website, AnnualCreditReport.com, is authorized to fill orders for the free annual credit reports you are entitled to by law. Other sites pretend to be associated with it or claim to offer free credit reports, free credit scores or free credit monitoring.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says companies that promise to repair your credit cannot remove true information, and it is illegal for credit repair companies to charge you before they help you. Scammers insist you pay first, tell you not to contact the credit bureaus directly, or tell you to lie on credit applications or file a false identity theft report.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/fixing-your-credit-faqs","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"report_phishing":[]},"credibility":{"grade":"A","primary_share":1.0,"sources":{"primary":46},"verified_from":{"page":31},"last_verified":"2026-10-12","oldest_verified":"2026-10-12","stale_items":0,"explanation":"Grade A (high: almost everything comes from official pages read directly). 100% of 46 sources are the organization's own pages or government sites.","dossier_last_verified":"2026-10-12"},"context":{"dossier":true,"sector_guide":true,"hint":"Call get_context for how this company handles complaints in practice and which scams use its name."},"notes":"Equifax Inc. (NYSE: EFX, Atlanta) is the parent. The consumer credit file is held by Equifax Information Services LLC, the name used on dispute, freeze and fraud alert mail. In 2026 Equifax Inc. signed an agreement to acquire Círculo de Crédito (Mexico); this does not change US consumer channels.","warnings":[]},"debt_collection":{"company":{"id":"equifax","name":"Equifax","sector":"credit_bureau","website":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/","account_url":"https://my.equifax.com/membercenter/#/login"},"issue":{"id":"debt_collection","name":"Sent to collections"},"playbook_source":"company","summary":"Dispute a wrong collection account with Equifax and ask the debt collector in writing for validation.","evidence":["collection letter","proof of payment or proof the debt is not yours","Equifax credit report page with the collection"],"steps":[{"do":"Ask the debt collector in writing for the validation information (creditor name, amount, how to dispute). Keep copies.","note":"CFPB sample letters cover \"I do not owe this debt\" and \"I need more information about this debt\"."},{"do":"Dispute the collection account with Equifax online or by mail. Attach proof of payment or proof the debt is not yours.","channel":{"id":"dispute-online","type":"portal","label":"Online credit report dispute (myEquifax)","value":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"login","notes":"The \"Submit a dispute\" button goes to https://my.equifax.com/consumer-registration/rest/1.0/redirectPartnerTenant?intent=DISPUTE. New users must create a myEquifax account first (age 18 or older). You may need to upload documents such as a driver's license or utility bill. Dispute status is also checked by signing in.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"do":"If the collector or Equifax does not correct it, complain to the CFPB.","regulator":{"id":"cfpb","name":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau","level":"federal","when_to_use":"Use for a problem with a consumer financial product (bank account, credit card, credit report, debt collection, money transfer, mortgage, loan) after the company did not fix it. Put every fact and document in one complaint, because a second complaint about the same problem is generally not accepted.","channels":[{"id":"complaint-form","type":"web_form","label":"Submit a complaint","value":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","transaction_dispute","fee_reversal","frozen_funds","fraud","billing_error","unauthorized_charge","student_loan_servicing"],"notes":"Online filing takes about 7 to 10 minutes. Your mailing address is required so the company can respond.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-phone","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line","value":"+1-855-411-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","notes":"A phone complaint takes about 25 to 30 minutes.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-tty","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line, TTY/TDD","value":"+1-855-729-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-mail","type":"mail","label":"Complaints by mail","value":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, PO Box 27170, Washington, DC 20038","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB sends each complaint to the company for a response. If another government agency is better able to help, the CFPB sends the complaint there and tells you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Companies generally respond in 15 days. In some cases the company says its response is in progress and gives a final response within 60 days.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"You have 60 days after the company responds to give feedback about the response.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB publishes information about the complaint in its public Consumer Complaint Database, without information that directly identifies you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"A complaint should give the key facts in your own words with the important dates, amounts and communications, and may attach supporting documents up to 50 pages. A person filing for someone else must say so, and companies generally need signed written authorization from the consumer.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB says federal student loan programs are within the sole legal purview of the Department of Education, and sends federal loan questions to studentaid.gov.","issues":["student_loan_servicing"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/student-loans/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"notes":"2025-2026 status: the CFPB's funding, staffing and leadership were in litigation (a reduction-in-force order and the acting director's refusal to request Federal Reserve funding; three district courts rejected that refusal, the latest on 2026-09-25). On 2026-10-12 the complaint pages (modified 2026-10-05) still accepted complaints and described the 15-day company response, and the form had added a path for debanking complaints under Executive Order 14331. For federal student loans, use Federal Student Aid (ed-fsa) first."}}],"channels":[{"id":"dispute-online","type":"portal","label":"Online credit report dispute (myEquifax)","value":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"login","notes":"The \"Submit a dispute\" button goes to https://my.equifax.com/consumer-registration/rest/1.0/redirectPartnerTenant?intent=DISPUTE. New users must create a myEquifax account first (age 18 or older). You may need to upload documents such as a driver's license or utility bill. Dispute status is also checked by signing in.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"dispute-mail","type":"mail","label":"Credit report dispute by mail","value":"Equifax Information Services, LLC, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374-0256","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"open","notes":"Include copies of supporting documents. Equifax publishes a dispute form at https://assets.equifax.com/assets/personal/Dispute.pdf. The FTC page lists ZIP 30348 for this box; Equifax's own page shows 30374-0256. Results of a mailed dispute come back by U.S. mail.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/mail-in-credit-report-dispute/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"customer-care-phone","type":"phone","label":"1-888-EQUIFAX customer care (disputes, consumer statements, freezes)","value":"+1-888-378-4329","hours":"9:00 am to 9:00 pm ET Monday through Friday; 9:00 am to 6:00 pm ET Saturday and Sunday","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","account_access"],"notes":"Equifax's own dispute pages give this number for phone disputes and for adding a consumer statement. The CFPB and FTC list (866) 349-5191 for Equifax disputes; Equifax's site shows that number for requesting additional report copies. Have the dispute confirmation number ready to check a dispute's status.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"annualcreditreport","type":"portal","label":"AnnualCreditReport.com (free reports from all three bureaus)","value":"https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","fraud"],"access":"open","notes":"The only site authorized under federal law to fill orders for the free reports. It blocks some automated requests.","source":"https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"limit","claim":"A credit reporting company generally can report most negative information for seven years; bankruptcies can stay for up to ten years.","issues":["debt_collection"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-long-does-negative-information-remain-on-my-credit-report-en-323/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Debt collectors generally must provide validation information within five days of the initial communication; some requests must be made within 30 days of being contacted.","issues":["debt_collection"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-should-i-do-if-a-debt-collector-has-reported-a-debt-on-my-credit-report-that-isnt-mine-en-1695/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"rules":{"in_force":[{"id":"fcra-dispute","title":"Fair Credit Reporting Act dispute rights (credit bureaus and furnishers)","citation":"15 U.S.C. 1681i; 15 U.S.C. 1681j(a)(3); 12 CFR 1022.43 (Regulation V)","jurisdiction":"us-federal","status":"in_effect","summary":"A consumer can dispute inaccurate or incomplete information with a credit bureau, which must reinvestigate free of charge within 30 days (up to 15 more days in some cases), notify the furnisher within 5 business days, and delete or correct information that is inaccurate, incomplete or cannot be verified. A consumer can also dispute certain information directly with the company that furnished it.","source":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681i","last_verified":"2026-10-12","points_omitted":9,"points":[]},{"id":"fdcpa-reg-f-validation","title":"Debt validation notice and dispute period (FDCPA, Regulation F)","citation":"12 CFR 1006.34; 12 CFR 1006.38 (Regulation F)","jurisdiction":"us-federal","status":"in_effect","summary":"A third-party debt collector must give the consumer validation information, including an itemization of the debt and the date the validation period ends. If the consumer disputes the debt in writing within the validation period (30 days after the consumer receives or is assumed to receive the information), the collector must stop collecting until it sends verification of the debt.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1006/34/","last_verified":"2026-10-12","points":[{"kind":"policy","claim":"Regulation F covers a debt collector: a person whose principal business purpose is collecting debts, or who regularly collects debts owed or asserted to be owed to another. It generally does not cover a creditor's own employees collecting in the creditor's name, or a person who got a debt before it was in default. A debt is a consumer obligation primarily for personal, family or household purposes.","issues":["debt_collection"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1006/2/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"The collector must give the validation information in the initial communication, or within five days after it, or orally in the initial communication.","issues":["debt_collection"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1006/34/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"The validation period ends \"30 days after the consumer receives or is assumed to receive the validation information\". The collector may assume receipt on any date \"at least five days (excluding legal public holidays identified in 5 U.S.C. 6103(a), Saturdays, and Sundays)\" after it provides the information. The notice must state the date the collector will treat as the end of the validation period.","issues":["debt_collection"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1006/34/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The validation information includes the itemization date, the amount of the debt on that date, an itemization of interest, fees, payments and credits since then, the current amount, and a consumer response section with dispute prompts.","issues":["debt_collection"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1006/34/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"\"Upon receipt of a dispute submitted by the consumer in writing within the validation period, a debt collector must cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion of the debt,\" until it sends the consumer a copy of verification of the debt or of a judgment, in writing or electronically. A dispute sent through an electronic medium the collector accepts, such as its email address or website portal, counts as written.","issues":["debt_collection"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1006/38/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"If the consumer asks in writing within the validation period for the name and address of the original creditor, the collector must stop collection until it provides that information.","issues":["debt_collection"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1006/38/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"During the validation period the collector may not use collection activities or communications that overshadow or are inconsistent with the consumer's dispute rights. Failure to dispute does not count as a legal admission that the consumer owes the debt.","issues":["debt_collection"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1006/38/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}]}],"not_in_force":[]},"tips":[],"escalation":[{"index":0,"rung":"written_complaint","note":"Or dispute by mail (dispute-mail). Also dispute with the company that supplied the data.","channel":{"id":"dispute-online","type":"portal","label":"Online credit report dispute (myEquifax)","value":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"login","notes":"The \"Submit a dispute\" button goes to https://my.equifax.com/consumer-registration/rest/1.0/redirectPartnerTenant?intent=DISPUTE. New users must create a myEquifax account first (age 18 or older). You may need to upload documents such as a driver's license or utility bill. Dispute status is also checked by signing in.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"index":1,"rung":"regulator","regulator":{"id":"cfpb","name":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau","level":"federal","when_to_use":"Use for a problem with a consumer financial product (bank account, credit card, credit report, debt collection, money transfer, mortgage, loan) after the company did not fix it. Put every fact and document in one complaint, because a second complaint about the same problem is generally not accepted.","channels":[{"id":"complaint-form","type":"web_form","label":"Submit a complaint","value":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","transaction_dispute","fee_reversal","frozen_funds","fraud","billing_error","unauthorized_charge","student_loan_servicing"],"notes":"Online filing takes about 7 to 10 minutes. Your mailing address is required so the company can respond.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-phone","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line","value":"+1-855-411-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","notes":"A phone complaint takes about 25 to 30 minutes.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-tty","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line, TTY/TDD","value":"+1-855-729-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-mail","type":"mail","label":"Complaints by mail","value":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, PO Box 27170, Washington, DC 20038","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB sends each complaint to the company for a response. If another government agency is better able to help, the CFPB sends the complaint there and tells you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Companies generally respond in 15 days. In some cases the company says its response is in progress and gives a final response within 60 days.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"You have 60 days after the company responds to give feedback about the response.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB publishes information about the complaint in its public Consumer Complaint Database, without information that directly identifies you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"A complaint should give the key facts in your own words with the important dates, amounts and communications, and may attach supporting documents up to 50 pages. A person filing for someone else must say so, and companies generally need signed written authorization from the consumer.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB says federal student loan programs are within the sole legal purview of the Department of Education, and sends federal loan questions to studentaid.gov.","issues":["student_loan_servicing"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/student-loans/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"notes":"2025-2026 status: the CFPB's funding, staffing and leadership were in litigation (a reduction-in-force order and the acting director's refusal to request Federal Reserve funding; three district courts rejected that refusal, the latest on 2026-09-25). On 2026-10-12 the complaint pages (modified 2026-10-05) still accepted complaints and described the 15-day company response, and the form had added a path for debanking complaints under Executive Order 14331. For federal student loans, use Federal Student Aid (ed-fsa) first."}},{"index":2,"rung":"state_agency","agency_kind":"attorney_general","agencies":"Ask for the person's state, then call find_regulators."},{"index":3,"rung":"small_claims"}],"known_blockers":["Online disputes, freezes and fraud alerts need a myEquifax account (age 18 or older), which the account holder must create and sign in to.","Disputes may need uploaded identity or address documents, such as a driver's license or utility bill.","The freeze phone line asks the caller to verify identity, so the account holder must call.","A fraud alert needs an active Equifax credit file."],"security":{"official_domains":["equifax.com","annualcreditreport.com"],"never_asks":[],"known_scams":[{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says an email, pop-up ad or phone call from someone claiming to be from AnnualCreditReport.com or any of the credit bureaus is probably a scam. AnnualCreditReport.com and the credit bureaus will not email you asking for your Social Security number or account information.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says only one website, AnnualCreditReport.com, is authorized to fill orders for the free annual credit reports you are entitled to by law. Other sites pretend to be associated with it or claim to offer free credit reports, free credit scores or free credit monitoring.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says companies that promise to repair your credit cannot remove true information, and it is illegal for credit repair companies to charge you before they help you. Scammers insist you pay first, tell you not to contact the credit bureaus directly, or tell you to lie on credit applications or file a false identity theft report.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/fixing-your-credit-faqs","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"report_phishing":[]},"credibility":{"grade":"A","primary_share":1.0,"sources":{"primary":46},"verified_from":{"page":31},"last_verified":"2026-10-12","oldest_verified":"2026-10-12","stale_items":0,"explanation":"Grade A (high: almost everything comes from official pages read directly). 100% of 46 sources are the organization's own pages or government sites.","dossier_last_verified":"2026-10-12"},"context":{"dossier":true,"sector_guide":true,"hint":"Call get_context for how this company handles complaints in practice and which scams use its name."},"notes":"Equifax Inc. (NYSE: EFX, Atlanta) is the parent. The consumer credit file is held by Equifax Information Services LLC, the name used on dispute, freeze and fraud alert mail. In 2026 Equifax Inc. signed an agreement to acquire Círculo de Crédito (Mexico); this does not change US consumer channels.","warnings":[]},"fraud":{"company":{"id":"equifax","name":"Equifax","sector":"credit_bureau","website":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/","account_url":"https://my.equifax.com/membercenter/#/login"},"issue":{"id":"fraud","name":"Fraud or scam"},"playbook_source":"company","summary":"For identity theft, place a free fraud alert (one bureau tells the other two) and a free security freeze at each bureau.","evidence":["FTC Identity Theft Report or police report (for an extended alert)","copy of government ID","proof of address"],"steps":[{"do":"Place an initial fraud alert online, by phone or by mail. Equifax sends the request to Experian and TransUnion.","channel":{"id":"fraud-alert-online","type":"portal","label":"Place a fraud alert or active duty alert online","value":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-fraud-alerts/","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"login","notes":"Online placement goes through myEquifax (https://my.equifax.com/consumer-registration/rest/1.0/redirectPartnerTenant?intent=FRAUD_ALERT). Equifax needs an active Equifax credit file to place an alert. A 7-year extended alert needs the Extended Fraud Alert Request Form and a police report or FTC Identity Theft Report.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/place-fraud-active-duty-alert/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"do":"Place a security freeze with Equifax. Repeat at Experian and TransUnion, because a freeze is per bureau.","channel":{"id":"freeze-online","type":"portal","label":"Place, lift or remove a security freeze online","value":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"login","notes":"Needs a myEquifax account (age 18 or older).","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/place-lift-remove-security-freeze/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"do":"For a 7-year extended alert, send the Extended Fraud Alert Request Form with a police report or FTC Identity Theft Report.","channel":{"id":"fraud-alert-mail","type":"mail","label":"Initial fraud alert or active duty alert by mail","value":"Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 105069, Atlanta, GA 30348-5069","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"open","notes":"Use the Fraud Alert Request Form (https://assets.equifax.com/assets/personal/Fraud_Alert_Request_Form.pdf). Extended 7-year alerts go to the address on the extended alert form.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/place-fraud-active-duty-alert/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"do":"Dispute accounts you did not open.","channel":{"id":"dispute-online","type":"portal","label":"Online credit report dispute (myEquifax)","value":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"login","notes":"The \"Submit a dispute\" button goes to https://my.equifax.com/consumer-registration/rest/1.0/redirectPartnerTenant?intent=DISPUTE. New users must create a myEquifax account first (age 18 or older). You may need to upload documents such as a driver's license or utility bill. Dispute status is also checked by signing in.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}}],"channels":[{"id":"freeze-online","type":"portal","label":"Place, lift or remove a security freeze online","value":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"login","notes":"Needs a myEquifax account (age 18 or older).","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/place-lift-remove-security-freeze/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"freeze-phone","type":"phone","label":"Security freeze by phone","value":"+1-888-298-0045","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"human_only","notes":"The caller must verify identity. The myEquifax terms page lists a different automated freeze line, 800-685-1111; the freeze page and the freeze help article list (888) 298-0045.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"freeze-mail","type":"mail","label":"Security freeze requests by mail","value":"Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348-5788","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"open","notes":"Use the Security Freeze Request Form (https://assets.equifax.com/assets/personal/Security_Freeze_Request_Form.pdf) with copies of identity and address documents.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/terms/myequifaxterms/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"fraud-alert-online","type":"portal","label":"Place a fraud alert or active duty alert online","value":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-fraud-alerts/","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"login","notes":"Online placement goes through myEquifax (https://my.equifax.com/consumer-registration/rest/1.0/redirectPartnerTenant?intent=FRAUD_ALERT). Equifax needs an active Equifax credit file to place an alert. A 7-year extended alert needs the Extended Fraud Alert Request Form and a police report or FTC Identity Theft Report.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/place-fraud-active-duty-alert/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"fraud-alert-phone","type":"phone","label":"Initial fraud alert or active duty alert by phone","value":"+1-800-525-6285","purposes":["fraud"],"notes":"The help article and the myEquifax terms page list this number. The fraud alert product page lists an automated line, 888-836-6351, which the terms page labels as Customer Care.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/place-fraud-active-duty-alert/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"fraud-alert-mail","type":"mail","label":"Initial fraud alert or active duty alert by mail","value":"Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 105069, Atlanta, GA 30348-5069","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"open","notes":"Use the Fraud Alert Request Form (https://assets.equifax.com/assets/personal/Fraud_Alert_Request_Form.pdf). Extended 7-year alerts go to the address on the extended alert form.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/place-fraud-active-duty-alert/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"annualcreditreport","type":"portal","label":"AnnualCreditReport.com (free reports from all three bureaus)","value":"https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","fraud"],"access":"open","notes":"The only site authorized under federal law to fill orders for the free reports. It blocks some automated requests.","source":"https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"limit","claim":"An initial fraud alert or active duty alert lasts one year; identity theft victims with a police or FTC identity theft report can request a seven-year extended fraud alert.","issues":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/place-fraud-active-duty-alert/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"When you place an initial alert with one bureau, that bureau sends a request to the other two bureaus to do the same.","issues":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/place-fraud-active-duty-alert/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"A bureau must place a freeze within one business day of a phone or online request and lift it within one hour; for a mailed request it has up to three business days.","issues":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-credit-freeze-or-security-freeze-on-my-credit-report-en-1341/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"fee","claim":"Placing, temporarily lifting, or removing a security freeze with Equifax is free.","issues":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"fee","claim":"Fraud alerts, extended fraud alerts and active duty alerts with Equifax are free.","issues":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-fraud-alerts/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"rules":{"in_force":[],"not_in_force":[]},"tips":[],"escalation":[{"index":0,"rung":"written_complaint","note":"Or dispute by mail (dispute-mail). Also dispute with the company that supplied the data.","channel":{"id":"dispute-online","type":"portal","label":"Online credit report dispute (myEquifax)","value":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"login","notes":"The \"Submit a dispute\" button goes to https://my.equifax.com/consumer-registration/rest/1.0/redirectPartnerTenant?intent=DISPUTE. New users must create a myEquifax account first (age 18 or older). You may need to upload documents such as a driver's license or utility bill. Dispute status is also checked by signing in.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"index":1,"rung":"regulator","regulator":{"id":"cfpb","name":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau","level":"federal","when_to_use":"Use for a problem with a consumer financial product (bank account, credit card, credit report, debt collection, money transfer, mortgage, loan) after the company did not fix it. Put every fact and document in one complaint, because a second complaint about the same problem is generally not accepted.","channels":[{"id":"complaint-form","type":"web_form","label":"Submit a complaint","value":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","transaction_dispute","fee_reversal","frozen_funds","fraud","billing_error","unauthorized_charge","student_loan_servicing"],"notes":"Online filing takes about 7 to 10 minutes. Your mailing address is required so the company can respond.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-phone","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line","value":"+1-855-411-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","notes":"A phone complaint takes about 25 to 30 minutes.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-tty","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line, TTY/TDD","value":"+1-855-729-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-mail","type":"mail","label":"Complaints by mail","value":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, PO Box 27170, Washington, DC 20038","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB sends each complaint to the company for a response. If another government agency is better able to help, the CFPB sends the complaint there and tells you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Companies generally respond in 15 days. In some cases the company says its response is in progress and gives a final response within 60 days.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"You have 60 days after the company responds to give feedback about the response.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB publishes information about the complaint in its public Consumer Complaint Database, without information that directly identifies you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"A complaint should give the key facts in your own words with the important dates, amounts and communications, and may attach supporting documents up to 50 pages. A person filing for someone else must say so, and companies generally need signed written authorization from the consumer.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB says federal student loan programs are within the sole legal purview of the Department of Education, and sends federal loan questions to studentaid.gov.","issues":["student_loan_servicing"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/student-loans/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"notes":"2025-2026 status: the CFPB's funding, staffing and leadership were in litigation (a reduction-in-force order and the acting director's refusal to request Federal Reserve funding; three district courts rejected that refusal, the latest on 2026-09-25). On 2026-10-12 the complaint pages (modified 2026-10-05) still accepted complaints and described the 15-day company response, and the form had added a path for debanking complaints under Executive Order 14331. For federal student loans, use Federal Student Aid (ed-fsa) first."}},{"index":2,"rung":"state_agency","agency_kind":"attorney_general","agencies":"Ask for the person's state, then call find_regulators."},{"index":3,"rung":"small_claims"}],"known_blockers":["Online disputes, freezes and fraud alerts need a myEquifax account (age 18 or older), which the account holder must create and sign in to.","Disputes may need uploaded identity or address documents, such as a driver's license or utility bill.","The freeze phone line asks the caller to verify identity, so the account holder must call.","A fraud alert needs an active Equifax credit file."],"security":{"official_domains":["equifax.com","annualcreditreport.com"],"never_asks":[],"known_scams":[{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says an email, pop-up ad or phone call from someone claiming to be from AnnualCreditReport.com or any of the credit bureaus is probably a scam. AnnualCreditReport.com and the credit bureaus will not email you asking for your Social Security number or account information.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says only one website, AnnualCreditReport.com, is authorized to fill orders for the free annual credit reports you are entitled to by law. Other sites pretend to be associated with it or claim to offer free credit reports, free credit scores or free credit monitoring.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says companies that promise to repair your credit cannot remove true information, and it is illegal for credit repair companies to charge you before they help you. Scammers insist you pay first, tell you not to contact the credit bureaus directly, or tell you to lie on credit applications or file a false identity theft report.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/fixing-your-credit-faqs","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"report_phishing":[]},"credibility":{"grade":"A","primary_share":1.0,"sources":{"primary":46},"verified_from":{"page":31},"last_verified":"2026-10-12","oldest_verified":"2026-10-12","stale_items":0,"explanation":"Grade A (high: almost everything comes from official pages read directly). 100% of 46 sources are the organization's own pages or government sites.","dossier_last_verified":"2026-10-12"},"context":{"dossier":true,"sector_guide":true,"hint":"Call get_context for how this company handles complaints in practice and which scams use its name."},"notes":"Equifax Inc. (NYSE: EFX, Atlanta) is the parent. The consumer credit file is held by Equifax Information Services LLC, the name used on dispute, freeze and fraud alert mail. In 2026 Equifax Inc. signed an agreement to acquire Círculo de Crédito (Mexico); this does not change US consumer channels.","warnings":[]}},"escalation":[{"index":0,"rung":"written_complaint","note":"Or dispute by mail (dispute-mail). Also dispute with the company that supplied the data.","channel":{"id":"dispute-online","type":"portal","label":"Online credit report dispute (myEquifax)","value":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"login","notes":"The \"Submit a dispute\" button goes to https://my.equifax.com/consumer-registration/rest/1.0/redirectPartnerTenant?intent=DISPUTE. New users must create a myEquifax account first (age 18 or older). You may need to upload documents such as a driver's license or utility bill. Dispute status is also checked by signing in.","source":"https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"index":1,"rung":"regulator","regulator":{"id":"cfpb","name":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau","level":"federal","when_to_use":"Use for a problem with a consumer financial product (bank account, credit card, credit report, debt collection, money transfer, mortgage, loan) after the company did not fix it. Put every fact and document in one complaint, because a second complaint about the same problem is generally not accepted.","channels":[{"id":"complaint-form","type":"web_form","label":"Submit a complaint","value":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","transaction_dispute","fee_reversal","frozen_funds","fraud","billing_error","unauthorized_charge","student_loan_servicing"],"notes":"Online filing takes about 7 to 10 minutes. Your mailing address is required so the company can respond.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-phone","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line","value":"+1-855-411-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","notes":"A phone complaint takes about 25 to 30 minutes.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-tty","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line, TTY/TDD","value":"+1-855-729-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-mail","type":"mail","label":"Complaints by mail","value":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, PO Box 27170, Washington, DC 20038","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB sends each complaint to the company for a response. If another government agency is better able to help, the CFPB sends the complaint there and tells you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Companies generally respond in 15 days. In some cases the company says its response is in progress and gives a final response within 60 days.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"You have 60 days after the company responds to give feedback about the response.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB publishes information about the complaint in its public Consumer Complaint Database, without information that directly identifies you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"A complaint should give the key facts in your own words with the important dates, amounts and communications, and may attach supporting documents up to 50 pages. A person filing for someone else must say so, and companies generally need signed written authorization from the consumer.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB says federal student loan programs are within the sole legal purview of the Department of Education, and sends federal loan questions to studentaid.gov.","issues":["student_loan_servicing"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/student-loans/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"notes":"2025-2026 status: the CFPB's funding, staffing and leadership were in litigation (a reduction-in-force order and the acting director's refusal to request Federal Reserve funding; three district courts rejected that refusal, the latest on 2026-09-25). On 2026-10-12 the complaint pages (modified 2026-10-05) still accepted complaints and described the 15-day company response, and the form had added a path for debanking complaints under Executive Order 14331. For federal student loans, use Federal Student Aid (ed-fsa) first."}},{"index":2,"rung":"state_agency","agency_kind":"attorney_general","agencies":"Ask for the person's state, then call find_regulators."},{"index":3,"rung":"small_claims"}],"security":{"official_domains":["equifax.com","annualcreditreport.com"],"never_asks":[],"known_scams":[{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says an email, pop-up ad or phone call from someone claiming to be from AnnualCreditReport.com or any of the credit bureaus is probably a scam. AnnualCreditReport.com and the credit bureaus will not email you asking for your Social Security number or account information.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says only one website, AnnualCreditReport.com, is authorized to fill orders for the free annual credit reports you are entitled to by law. Other sites pretend to be associated with it or claim to offer free credit reports, free credit scores or free credit monitoring.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says companies that promise to repair your credit cannot remove true information, and it is illegal for credit repair companies to charge you before they help you. Scammers insist you pay first, tell you not to contact the credit bureaus directly, or tell you to lie on credit applications or file a false identity theft report.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/fixing-your-credit-faqs","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"report_phishing":[]},"credibility":{"grade":"A","primary_share":1.0,"sources":{"primary":46},"verified_from":{"page":31},"last_verified":"2026-10-12","oldest_verified":"2026-10-12","stale_items":0,"explanation":"Grade A (high: almost everything comes from official pages read directly). 100% of 46 sources are the organization's own pages or government sites.","dossier_last_verified":"2026-10-12"},"dossier":{"title":"Equifax — how complaints actually go","last_verified":"2026-10-12","file":"dossiers/equifax.md","markdown":"## In short\n\nDispute each wrong item with Equifax first (online through myEquifax or by mail), keep the confirmation number, and also dispute with the lender that reported it. If that fails, a CFPB complaint is the next step; in the 12 months to June 2026 Equifax closed 52.2% of CFPB complaints with non-monetary relief, such as a correction, and by mid-2025 it took more than 50 days on average to answer. In January 2025 the CFPB fined Equifax $15 million over how it handled disputes. Get free reports only at AnnualCreditReport.com, and do not pay a credit repair company upfront.\n\n## How complaints actually go\n\n- A CFPB complaint goes to Equifax, which has up to 60 days to respond. From 2022 to mid-2025 Equifax's average response time moved around 40 days; in the most recent months covered (to June 2025), all three nationwide bureaus averaged more than 50 days. [CFPB FCRA 611(e) report, December 2025](https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_fcra-611e-report_2025-12.pdf)\n- About 90% of consumers who complain to the CFPB about a bureau say they disputed with it first, but from 2024 to mid-2025 Equifax confirmed a prior dispute in only about 37% of those complaints. File the dispute with Equifax first and keep the confirmation number before you go to the CFPB. [CFPB FCRA 611(e) report, December 2025](https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_fcra-611e-report_2025-12.pdf)\n- Of the three nationwide bureaus, only Equifax recorded furnisher errors in its complaint responses during January 2024 to June 2025. [CFPB FCRA 611(e) report, December 2025](https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_fcra-611e-report_2025-12.pdf)\n\n## What tends to work\n\n- A CFPB complaint after a failed dispute: in the 12 months to June 2026, 1,006,485 of 1,929,475 Equifax complaints (52.2%) closed with non-monetary relief. [CFPB complaint database search](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/consumer-complaints/search/api/v1/?company=EQUIFAX%2C%20INC.&date_received_min=2025-07-01&date_received_max=2026-06-30&size=0)\n- If Equifax puts back an item it deleted, or simply repeats what the lender says, cite the CFPB's January 17, 2025 order: the CFPB found Equifax failed to properly reinvestigate disputes, failed to prevent deleted information from being reinserted, and relied too much on furnishers. It ordered a $15 million penalty. [CFPB enforcement action](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/enforcement/actions/equifax-inc-and-equifax-information-services-llc/)\n- Write the complaint yourself and keep it accurate. In 2025 companies returned about 469,800 CFPB complaints as suspected fraud and 63,200 as coming from an unauthorized third party; one nationwide bureau accounted for more than 90% and more than 60% of these returns. The company takes no action on a returned complaint, and it is not published. [CFPB 2025 Consumer Response Annual Report](https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_2025-cr-annual-report_2026-03.pdf)\n\n## Traps and fine print\n\n- Credit repair companies cannot remove accurate information, and it is illegal for them to charge you before they help you. Anything they can do legally, you can do yourself for little or no cost. [FTC: fixing your credit FAQs](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/fixing-your-credit-faqs)\n- Credit reporting complaints to the CFPB in 2025 were 182% above the monthly average of the prior two years; the CFPB links the growth partly to third parties, including credit repair organizations and social media \"finfluencers\", using the complaint process. Companies can return a complaint submitted by an unauthorized third party without acting on it. [CFPB 2025 Consumer Response Annual Report](https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_2025-cr-annual-report_2026-03.pdf)\n- The same 2025 CFPB order found Equifax sold inaccurate credit scores after \"test code\" was put into a production environment. [CFPB enforcement action](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/enforcement/actions/equifax-inc-and-equifax-information-services-llc/)\n\n## By the numbers\n\n- CFPB complaints received July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 for \"EQUIFAX, INC.\": 1,929,475, of which 1,905,783 were about credit or consumer reports. Top issues: incorrect information on a report 1,131,540, improper use of a report 416,213, the company's investigation into an existing problem 344,155, unable to get a credit report or score 11,092. [CFPB complaint database search](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/consumer-complaints/search/api/v1/?company=EQUIFAX%2C%20INC.&date_received_min=2025-07-01&date_received_max=2026-06-30&size=0)\n- Of those complaints, 1,006,485 (52.2%) closed with non-monetary relief and 922,989 (47.8%) with explanation; none closed with monetary relief and 1 was in progress. All were marked timely. Data retrieved 2026-10-12. [CFPB complaint database search](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/consumer-complaints/search/api/v1/?company=EQUIFAX%2C%20INC.&date_received_min=2025-07-01&date_received_max=2026-06-30&size=0)\n- In calendar 2025 the CFPB received about 5,806,800 credit or consumer reporting complaints, about 5,102,800 of them about Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Companies closed 51% of the credit reporting complaints sent to them with an explanation, 40% with non-monetary relief and 0.02% with monetary relief. [CFPB 2025 Consumer Response Annual Report](https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_2025-cr-annual-report_2026-03.pdf)\n\n## Scams that target customers\n\n- Fake free-report sites: there is only one authorized place for the free credit reports you are entitled to by law, AnnualCreditReport.com. Other sites pretend to be associated with it, use \"free report\" in their names, or misspell the address. [FTC: free credit reports](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports)\n- AnnualCreditReport.com and the credit bureaus will not email you asking for your Social Security number or account information; a call from someone claiming to be from a credit bureau is probably a scam. [FTC: free credit reports](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports)\n- Credit repair scams insist you pay before they help, tell you not to contact the credit bureaus, or tell you to dispute accurate information or file a false identity theft report. [FTC: fixing your credit FAQs](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/fixing-your-credit-faqs)\n"},"guide":{"key":"credit_bureau","title":"Credit bureaus — how disputes and complaints work","last_verified":"2026-10-12","file":"guides/credit_bureau.md","page":"https://escalate.alexgaoth.com/#/guides/credit_bureau"}}