The three major credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — each maintain separate credit reports on you. Here’s how to contact each one.
Your credit report affects everything from mortgage rates to job applications to apartment approvals. When something goes wrong—an error on your report, identity theft, or a needed freeze—you’ll want to contact the credit bureaus directly. This guide provides every phone number you’ll need for all three bureaus, plus tips for getting through quickly.
Credit Bureau Phone Numbers at a Glance
| Bureau | General | Disputes | Freezes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experian | 1-888-397-3742 | 1-888-397-3742 | 1-888-397-3742 |
| Equifax | 1-800-685-1111 | 1-800-685-1111 | 1-800-349-9960 |
| TransUnion | 1-800-916-8800 | 1-800-916-8800 | 1-888-909-8872 |
| Free Annual Report | 1-877-322-8228 | — | — |
Experian Phone Numbers
Experian is often considered the most innovative of the three bureaus, offering services like Experian Boost that can help build your credit score by adding utility and streaming payments to your report.
| Service | Phone Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Customer Service | 1-888-397-3742 | M-F 8AM-5PM PT |
| Disputes | 1-888-397-3742 | M-F 8AM-5PM PT |
| Credit Freeze | 1-888-397-3742 | 24/7 automated |
| Fraud Alerts | 1-888-397-3742 | 24/7 automated |
| Experian Boost | 1-844-999-5779 | M-F 8AM-5PM PT |
| Identity Theft | 1-888-397-3742 | M-F 8AM-5PM PT |
Experian Mailing Address
Experian
P.O. Box 4500
Allen, TX 75013
For disputes by mail:
Experian
P.O. Box 4500
Allen, TX 75013
For more, see our Experian Phone Number guide.
Equifax Phone Numbers
Equifax handles credit data for over 220 million Americans. If you were affected by the 2017 Equifax data breach, check your settlement eligibility. The dedicated breach line (1-833-759-2979) is separate from regular customer service.
| Service | Phone Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Customer Service | 1-800-685-1111 | M-F 9AM-8PM ET |
| Disputes | 1-800-685-1111 | M-F 9AM-8PM ET |
| Credit Freeze/Unfreeze | 1-800-349-9960 | 24/7 automated |
| Fraud Alerts | 1-800-525-6285 | 24/7 automated |
| Identity Theft Assistance | 1-888-766-0008 | M-F 9AM-9PM ET |
| Security Freeze Team | 1-800-349-9960 | 24/7 |
Equifax Mailing Address
Equifax Information Services LLC
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374
For disputes by mail:
Equifax Information Services LLC
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
For more, see our Equifax Phone Number guide.
TransUnion Phone Numbers
TransUnion operates in over 30 countries and offers the longest phone hours of the three bureaus (M-F 8AM-11PM ET). Their TrueVision credit lock service provides instant locking/unlocking via their app.
| Service | Phone Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Customer Service | 1-800-916-8800 | M-F 8AM-11PM ET |
| Disputes | 1-800-916-8800 | M-F 8AM-11PM ET |
| Credit Freeze | 1-888-909-8872 | 24/7 automated |
| Fraud Alerts | 1-800-680-7289 | 24/7 automated |
| Fraud Victim Assistance | 1-800-680-7289 | M-F 8AM-5PM PT |
| TrueVision (credit lock) | 1-800-916-8800 | M-F 8AM-11PM ET |
TransUnion Mailing Address
TransUnion LLC
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19016
For disputes by mail:
TransUnion LLC Consumer Dispute Center
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016
Free Annual Credit Report
By law, you’re entitled to one free credit report from each bureau per year. You should review your reports regularly to catch errors that could be hurting your credit score. See our guide to checking your credit score for free for more options.
| Contact | Information |
|---|---|
| Website | AnnualCreditReport.com |
| Phone | 1-877-322-8228 |
| Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348 |
Note: This is the only official free source. Avoid sites charging fees.
How to Contact Credit Bureaus by Issue
Get Your Credit Report
| Method | Bureau | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Free annual report | All three | 1-877-322-8228 |
| Direct from Experian | Experian | 1-888-397-3742 |
| Direct from Equifax | Equifax | 1-800-685-1111 |
| Direct from TransUnion | TransUnion | 1-800-916-8800 |
Dispute an Error
| Bureau | Phone | Online |
|---|---|---|
| Experian | 1-888-397-3742 | experian.com/disputes |
| Equifax | 1-800-685-1111 | equifax.com/personal/disputes |
| TransUnion | 1-800-916-8800 | transunion.com/dispute |
Online disputes are typically faster (15-45 days vs. 30-45 days by mail)
Freeze Your Credit
| Bureau | Phone | Online |
|---|---|---|
| Experian | 1-888-397-3742 | experian.com/freeze |
| Equifax | 1-800-349-9960 | equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services |
| TransUnion | 1-888-909-8872 | transunion.com/freeze |
A credit freeze prevents new accounts from being opened in your name. It’s free by federal law.
Place a Fraud Alert
| Type | Duration | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Initial fraud alert | 1 year | Requires verification for new credit |
| Extended fraud alert | 7 years | For confirmed identity theft victims |
| Active duty alert | 1 year | For military members |
You only need to contact ONE bureau — they must notify the other two.
| Bureau | Fraud Alert Phone |
|---|---|
| Experian | 1-888-397-3742 |
| Equifax | 1-800-525-6285 |
| TransUnion | 1-800-680-7289 |
Report Identity Theft
| Bureau | Identity Theft Phone |
|---|---|
| Experian | 1-888-397-3742 |
| Equifax | 1-888-766-0008 |
| TransUnion | 1-800-680-7289 |
Also file a report at IdentityTheft.gov (FTC)
How to Reach a Live Person
Experian
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Call 1-888-397-3742 |
| 2 | Press 2 for credit report |
| 3 | Press 2 again for questions |
| 4 | Say “representative” |
| 5 | Wait for agent |
Equifax
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Call 1-800-685-1111 |
| 2 | Press 3 for existing issues |
| 3 | Press 1 for questions |
| 4 | Stay on line for agent |
TransUnion
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Call 1-800-916-8800 |
| 2 | Say “credit report” |
| 3 | Say “representative” |
| 4 | Wait for agent |
Disputing Errors: Step by Step
Credit report errors are more common than you might think—about 25% of consumers have at least one error on their reports, according to FTC studies. Successfully disputing errors can improve your score and help you qualify for better rates. For a detailed walkthrough, see our complete guide to disputing credit report errors.
What Can You Dispute?
| Dispute-able | Examples |
|---|---|
| Incorrect personal info | Wrong name, address, SSN |
| Accounts not yours | Fraudulent accounts |
| Wrong account status | Marked late when paid on time |
| Duplicate accounts | Same account listed twice |
| Incorrect balances | Wrong balance or credit limit |
| Old negative items | Items older than 7 years |
| Bankruptcy older than 10 years | Should be removed |
Dispute Process
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1 | You file dispute (online, phone, mail) |
| 2 | Bureau contacts creditor/furnisher |
| 3 | Furnisher investigates (30 days) |
| 4 | Bureau updates your report |
| 5 | Bureau notifies you of result |
What to Include in a Dispute
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Full name | Identification |
| Current address | Contact information |
| Social Security Number | Account matching |
| Item you’re disputing | Specific account/info |
| Why it’s wrong | Clear explanation |
| Supporting documents | Proof (statements, letters) |
Credit Freeze vs. Credit Lock
Both credit freezes and locks prevent new accounts from being opened in your name, but they work differently. Understanding the distinction matters for your overall credit protection strategy.
| Feature | Freeze | Lock |
|---|---|---|
| Legal protection | Yes (federal law) | Varies by service |
| Speed to lift | Minutes to 3 days | Instant |
| Cost | Free | Often paid subscription |
| PIN required | Yes | Usually app-based |
| Available from | All bureaus | Not all bureaus |
Recommendation: Use the free credit freeze unless you need instant unlock frequently.
Credit Monitoring Services
| Service | Bureau | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Experian CreditWorks | Experian | Free-$24.99/mo |
| Equifax Core Credit | Equifax | Free-$19.95/mo |
| TransUnion Credit Monitoring | TransUnion | Free-$29.95/mo |
| Credit Karma | TransUnion, Equifax | Free |
| Annual Credit Report | All three | Free (once/year) |
If a Bureau Won’t Fix an Error
Escalation Options
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Re-dispute with additional documentation |
| 2 | Contact the furnisher directly |
| 3 | Add a consumer statement to your report |
| 4 | File complaint with CFPB |
| 5 | Consult consumer law attorney |
CFPB Complaint
| How | Details |
|---|---|
| Online | consumerfinance.gov/complaint |
| Phone | 1-855-411-2372 |
| What to include | Bureau name, issue, timeline, documentation |
Bureaus typically respond to CFPB complaints within 15 days.
Bottom Line
| Bureau | Main Number | Freeze Number |
|---|---|---|
| Experian | 1-888-397-3742 | 1-888-397-3742 |
| Equifax | 1-800-685-1111 | 1-800-349-9960 |
| TransUnion | 1-800-916-8800 | 1-888-909-8872 |
| Free Reports | 1-877-322-8228 | — |
| CFPB Complaints | 1-855-411-2372 | — |