Tried Calling The Credit Bureaus

It can be frustrating when you are trying to reach Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion and cannot get the help you need. The right next step depends on why you are calling — a credit freeze, fraud alert, dispute, identity theft issue, or information on your credit report.

Know Which Credit Bureau You Need

Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion maintain separate credit files. An account or issue may appear with one bureau, two bureaus, or all three. If you are dealing with a credit report problem, review which bureau is reporting the information before deciding whom you need to contact.

Trying to Freeze or Unfreeze Your Credit?

A credit freeze must be handled separately with each credit bureau. Freezing your report with one bureau does not automatically freeze the other two. The same is true when you need to temporarily lift or remove a freeze.

Trying to Dispute Something on Your Credit Report?

If you find information that you believe is inaccurate, identify which credit bureau is reporting it. You may also need to contact the company that supplied the information, such as a lender, credit card company, or collection agency.

Calling Because of Possible Identity Theft?

If you see an account, inquiry, address, or other activity you do not recognize, do not ignore it. Review all three credit reports for other suspicious activity and consider whether a credit freeze or fraud alert is appropriate.

Need Help Figuring Out Who to Contact?

If you tried calling the credit bureaus and are still not sure what to do, call us at 800-518-1077.

We can help you understand which credit bureau or company you need to contact and what your next step should be.

Reviewed by Tina Kayhan, President of TheCreditBureau.com, with more than 30 years of experience in credit reporting, identity protection, and consumer credit services.