How to Get Things Off Your Equifax Credit Report

As a consumer, you are entitled to review your credit report from each of the major credit reporting agencies and dispute any erroneous items. The credit bureau must correct errors and remove anything that cannot be proven to be accurate. Equifax is one of the three major credit bureaus, and the following steps will help you get things off your Equifax report.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Request a free copy of your Equifax credit report. Under the law, you are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus on an annual basis. You can request your Equifax report from the official Annual Credit Report website (see Resources below).

2. Review your Equifax report for accuracy. Make sure that your personal information, such as your name, address, phone number and place of employment is correct. Go through your credit accounts one by one, making sure that the status and reported payment history is accurate. If an account is listed as late or unpaid and that information is not true, make a note of it so you can dispute it. Make a note of any errors in demographic information as well.

3. Dispute the incorrect information using the link provided (see Resources below). When you view your credit report, you will see a link that will take you to a form for disputing items on your Equifax report. Fill out the information as completely as possible. If Equifax cannot verify the information they have on file, they will have to correct the error and change or remove the disputed item.

4. Follow up to see how Equifax resolves the complaint. If they were able to verify their information as correct, they will leave it on your credit report even if you still believe it is inaccurate. Knowing the outcome will allow you to take further action, if needed.

Tips & Warnings

• If you find errors on your Equifax report, you may want to get your annual free copies of your Experian and Transunion reports to see if they show the same error. If they do, you can dispute those reports as well the the one from Equifax. If Equifax refuses to remove an item that you believe is incorrect, add a consumer statement to your credit file. This is an explanation that you write, pointing out the error and explaining why you believe the information is wrong.
• You should not have to pay for a copy of your Equifax report. Under the law, you are entitled to one free copy every year. There are services that will help you obtain a copy for a price, but there is no need to use them. Use the link in the Resource section to get the report at no cost to you. When you are ordering your free credit report, Equifax may offer additional paid services. You are not required to buy any of these services to get your report.

Resources

• Free Equifax Credit Report and Dispute