Equifax

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Equifax can't keep anything straight ... and doesn't seem to try very hard. For the second time, the company has been penalized by the Federal Trade Commission for not responding to consumer inquiries. That will come as no news to the hundreds who've written to us, including those below:

Marva of Viera, FL October 23, 2008

Marva of Viera FL (10/23/08)
I was denied credit due to inaccurate information on my credit report that was report by equifax. The letter said to call and request a free copy of report within 60 days. Waited on the phone for exactly 43 minutes as per my phone receiver. I eventually hung up.

I eventually try to obtain it online it said I couldn't do it. I ended up sending a copy of my drivers license and a utility bill. Then I spoke to someone who said I had to send in 10.00 to get it. I had to give her the name of the company I applied to for credit and then she transferred me which I am still holding on for.

I am unable to obtain credit.

Tona of Brooklyn, NY October 23, 2008

Tona of Brooklyn NY (10/23/08)
There is a delinquent account on my report from an identity theft that occurred in 2004. I submitted documents to dispute proving that the account could not be mine because it involves a residence the thief was living in in Florida while I was always living in New York.

The other two bureaus removed the account. Equifax refuses to remove the account. This delinquent account is lowering my credit score and making it more difficult for me to obtain financing for a home.

Annette of Elmont, NY October 22, 2008

Annette of Elmont NY (10/22/08)
I had paid off some items that had appeared on a credit report recieved a few months age. I wanted to make sure that the payments were reflected on my credit report. I contacted Equifax online and began filling out the required windows, in order to get my report. I was annoyed because they were advertising the fact that you could get a free credit report. This was absolutely false. The way that it is set up, in order to receive a credit report,one of their products has to be purchased. You are told that you have 30 days in which you can opt out, but there is no one to call to opt out.

After signing up for a product that I really did not want, I tried to access my information using the password and username, it did not work. In one of the windows, there was a number that I could call for help. When I called in, the only way that I could get help was to agree to a 3-point product, that I really did not want. I felt as if I'd been set up. I only agreed to purchase the 3-point product, after I made the person assure me I could opt out after 30 days, so that I could go forward.

Here's what really got my goat, I was told by the person that I spoke to, that my password would be sent to my e-mail account. When I checked the e-mail account there was a form that had no password, but looked like a script that a person from Equifax would read from. When I tried to call the 800 number (numerous times) to find out what was going on, I receieved a bunch of prompts, but could not get a live person to speak to. None of the prompts could help me with my problem.

I got so frustrated that I e-mailed Equifax, letting them know I wanted to cancel my order, since I had not gotten what I paid for. I never received a response from them.

Trac of Dallas, TX October 20, 2008

Trac of Dallas TX (10/20/08)
Equifax makes it so difficult to obtain a free credit report. I was denied credit and by law should be able to obtain a report. After spending a half hour on their site, I finally figured out how to request the report. Then the system says it can't process it on line and that I have to call. When I call and listened to 5-10 minutes of options, I never heard one for my situation. Finally, I decided to get my free annual credit reports. I was able to get the reports from the two other agencies very easily. Yet again, Equifax refused to provide my report. I was finally directed to a link that requires me to complete a form and mail it in with two forms of id and a utility bill or something crazy like that.

If Equifax continues to be able to deny or approve credit they should be forced to cooperate with the public. It seems all they want is their 7.95 or whatever for the reports. The other two reporting bureaus set a good example and should be commended for their accessibility and ease of use.

Noah of Berkeley, CA October 17, 2008

Noah of Berkeley CA (10/17/08)
I attempted to get my free credit report from Equifax as per the FACT Act using the web site annualcreditreport. Once on the Equifax site it asks me to log in with a password and user name. To get a password and user name you have to pay 7.95. There are no ways around this that can be seen by a reasonable person.

The customer service numbers they offer do not give a reasonable solution as I called multiple times without getting any further solving my issue. My issue? I'm not paying 7.95 for my free report.

The financial consequence is not just about my own. This business practice surely results in many people simply paying the 7.95 for what is supposed to be offered free. Ask Equifax how many users they have signed up did so under the pretense that what they were getting was free? Then you will know the economic damage. Personally I have lost my time.

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