How to Access Equifax Credit Reports

Equifax is one of the three major credit bureaus in the United States, along with TransUnion and Experian. The company collects financial data from banks, credit card companies and other financial institutions and keeps a record of each person's credit history. These credit histories are used to calculate credit scores that are sold to financial institutions who use them as part of the loan application process. Once per year, you are entitled to a free credit report from Equifax so that you can make sure that the information contained in the report is correct. You can request your score online, on the phone or through the mail.

Instructions

1

Go to the Annual Credit Report website (see resources) and select your state. The site is the only site authorized by the Federal Trade Commission to provide access to free credit reports.

2

Enter your name, current address (and previous address if you moved within the last two years), birthday and Social Security number and click "Continue." The website encrypts your information to prevent it being from accessed.

3

Select "Equifax" from the list of available credit reports. If you have requested your free credit report from Equifax in the last 12 months, you will not be able to order another one.

4

Call 877-322-8228 to order your credit report from Equifax over the phone. Instead of typing in your information, you will be required to answer several questions about your identity.

5

Complete the paper application for your free credit report that you can download from the Annual Credit Report website. The form requires the same information as the online application. Mail the form to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.