Credit bureaus not only create and maintain your credit profile, but they perform a host of credit-related functions. So it’s no surprise if you need to reach out to them at some point for assistance. Fortunately, they have multiple convenient ways to contact them, whether it’s by phone, online, or postal mail.
Reasons to Contact the Credit Bureaus
Retrieve a copy of your credit report
If you want to get a copy of your credit report, you can either reach out to the credit bureaus directly or visit AnnualCreditReport.com. But here’s the catch: while the latter is free, you will have to pay a nominal fee if you go through the credit bureaus directly unless you’ve been denied for credit in the last 60 days or victimized by identity theft or fraud.
Prefer to go through AnnualCreditReport.com to view your credit report for free? Before you get started, keep in mind that you are entitled to one credit report from each of the three credit bureaus, free of charge, on an annual basis. Here’s how to move forward with requesting your reports:
- Visit AnnualCreditReport.com and select “Request yours now!” from the dropdown menu.
- Complete the online form.
- Select which credit reports you’d like to retrieve.
- Submit your request and view your reports. (You’ll also be given the option to download your reports during this step in case you need to access them later on).
In the event you need to request an additional copy from AnnualCreditReport.com before the one-year period lapses, you’ll be assessed a fee.
View your credit score
The credit bureaus allow you to view your credit score, but a nominal fee may apply as indicated below:
- Experian- FICO Score available free of charge here
- Equifax- FICO Score available for $14.95 (Score Watch) or $19.95 (Equifax Complete Premier)
- TransUnion- VantageScore available for $9.95
File a formal dispute
Are there inaccuracies or untimely information in your credit report? You have the right to file a formal dispute, but you’ll have to contact the credit bureaus to have the issues rectified.
Place a fraud alert
When consumers are victimized by identity theft or fraud, they sometimes place fraud alerts on their credit reports. It is free of charge to place a fraud alert, and creditors will be prompted to implement a few extra steps to confirm it’s you applying during the review process for any credit applications you submit.
Place or lift a security freeze on your credit report.
Security freezes lock your credit report down, and access is prohibited until you decide to temporarily lift or remove it. Wondering why you would want a security freeze on your credit profile?
For starters, they’re an effective way to prevent unauthorized access to your credit report, which in turn minimizes the possibility of identity theft or fraud. And if you’ve already been victimized, you’ll protect yourself from future occurrences.
And when you are ready to apply for credit or permanently remove the freeze, you can do so at any time without paying a fee.
How to Contact the Credit Bureaus
Equifax
| Phone | Online | Postal Mail | |
| Retrieve a copy of your credit report | 866-349-5191 Hours of Operation: Monday-Sunday from 8.a.m to midnight (ET) | Annual Credit Report Equifax.com/FCRA (to retrieve your free credit report due to the placement of a recent fraud report or denial of credit within the last 30 days) | Equifax Information Services LLC P.O. Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 |
| File a formal dispute | 866-349-5191 Hours of Operation: Monday-Sunday from 8 a.m. to midnight (ET) | myEquifax | Equifax Information Services LLC P.O. Box 740256 Atlanta, GA 30374-0256 |
| Place a fraud alert | 800-525-6285 (for automated service) 888-836-6351 (for customer care) Hours of Operation: Monday-Sunday from 8 a.m. to midnight (ET) | myEquifax | Equifax Information Services LLC P.O. Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 |
| Place or lift a security freeze | 888-298-0045 Hours of Operation: Monday-Sunday from 8 a.m. to midnight (ET) | myEquifax | Equifax Information Services LLC P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788 |
You can also chat with customer care Monday through Friday from 8 a.am to midnight (ET).
Experian
| Phone | Online | Postal Mail | |
| Retrieve a copy of your credit report | Automated Service: 888-397-3742 Live Representative: 1-866-200-6020 | Annual Credit Report | Not applicable |
| File a formal dispute | Call the number listed on your credit report | https://usa.experian.com/#/registration?offer=at_fcras102,at_ltdreg100 | Experian P.O. Box 4500 Allen, TX 75013 |
| Place a fraud alert | Automated Service: 1-888-397-3742 | Temporary or active duty fraud alert (1 year): https://www.experian.com/ncaconline/fraudalert Extended fraud victim alert (7 years): https://www.experian.com/fraud/form-extended-fraud-victim-alert.html | Extended fraud victim alert (7 years): See online instructions |
| Place or lift a security freeze | Automated Service: 1-888-397-3742 | https://www.experian.com/ncaconline/freeze | Experian Security Freeze P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013 |
TransUnion
| Phone | Online | Postal Mail | |
| Retrieve a copy of your credit report | 833-395-6933 Hours of Operation: Monday-Sunday from 8 a.m. to midnight (ET) | Annual Credit Report https://disclosure.transunion.com/dc/disclosure/landingPage.jsp (a small fee applies) | TransUnion LLC P.O. Box 1000 Chester, PA 19016 |
| File a formal dispute | 833-395-6933 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (ET) | https://www.transunion.com/credit-disputes/dispute-your-credit | https://www.transunion.com/customer-support/dispute-by-mail |
| Place a fraud alert | 833-395-6933 Hours of Operation: Monday-Sunday from 8 a.m. to midnight (ET) | https://www.transunion.com/fraud-alerts | TransUnion Fraud Victim Assistance P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016 |
| Place or lift a security freeze | 833-395-6933 Hours of Operation: Monday-Sunday from 8 a.m. to midnight (ET) | https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze | TransUnion P.O. Box 160 Woodlyn, PA 19094 |
Is It Possible to Opt-Out of Prescreened Offers?
If you’ve never heard of pre-screened offers, they are those notices you receive in the mail from creditors requesting that you apply for a credit card, loan, or some other debt product. But if you no longer wish to receive them because they’re inundating your mailbox, you can opt-of using the channels below:
| Phone | Online | Postal Mail | |
| Equifax | 888-5-OPT-OUT (888-567-8688) | www.optoutprescreen.com | Equifax Information Services LLC P.O. Box 740123 Atlanta, GA 30374-0123 |
| Experian | 888-5-OPT-OUT (888-567-8688) | www.optoutprescreen.com | DMA Mail Preference Service PO Box 643 Carmel, NY 10512 |
| TransUnion | 888-5-OPT-OUT (888-567-8688) | www.optoutprescreen.com | TransUnion Opt Out Request P.O. Box 505 Woodlyn, PA 19094 |
