Equifax Review

Equifax, based in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of the three main credit reporting agencies on the market today, in addition to TransUnion and Experian. After watching the increasing successes of TrustedID and LifeLock, Equifax decided to enter the identity theft protection industry with the hopes of offering customers several different services per subscription.

Equifax's main identity theft protection product, ID Patrol, works by monitoring customers' credit files across the three main credit bureaus as well as scanning the internet for any suspicious activities, and alerting them of any changes. This includes changes to customers' credit files, personal information, and other sensitive documents. Once these changes have been detected, Equifax has the power to lock customers' Equifax credit files, thus preventing third parties from accessing them. Equifax also offers customers 24/7 access to trained ID theft specialists.

30 Days Free

Equifax Features

Equifax's ID Patrol service comprises six main features. These include:

Credit File Monitoring

Equifax monitors customers' credit files across all three major credit bureaus, and alerts customers of any changes.

Credit Score Control

Equifax enables customers to conveniently lock or unlock their credit files online for all companies or only specific companies.

WebDetect

Equifax scans the internet continually for customers' private information, and alerts them immediately if their information is being traded or sold fraudulently.

Unlimited Equifax Credit Scores

Equifax provides customers with the option of receiving unlimited credit scores from them, and they also provide an annual 3-in-1 credit score that includes TransUnion and Experian.

Up to $1,000,000 Identity Theft Insurance

Equifax provides insurance, with no deductible, that is underwritten by Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America in order to help cover the cost of identity theft, if it should occur.

24 Hour Support

Equifax provides 24/7 assistance and support to all of their customers.

Pricing And Cancellation

Equifax offers customers four main options to choose from, which include:

$14.95/month Equifax ID Patrol

This plan includes all of the features discussed above.

$12.95/month Equifax Credit Watch Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring

With this option, customers get all the features of ID Patrol, except the ability to lock and unlock Equifax credit scores, although this is an optional feature available at an additional cost. Equifax's WebDetect service, which scans the internet for customers' private information, is also an optional feature available for an additional fee.

$9.95/month Equifax Credit Watch Gold

This plan includes daily alerts from Equifax as well as unlimited customer access to Equifax credit scores, but customers are unable to receive a free 3-in-1 credit score. Customer ability to lock or unlock Equifax credit scores is optional, and is available at an extra fee. Equifax's WebDetect service is also optional, and is not included in the price.

$159-$207/annually Equifax Credit Watch Gold Family Package

From $159/year to $207/year customers may add an additional family member to their plan, and they may add up to ten other relatives from $714/year to $928/year depending on the package chosen.

Customers have the option of pre-paying for a fixed number of months, or paying on a month-to-month basis. If a customer pre-pays their subscription, then Equifax will alert the customer of any service renewals 30 days prior to the renewal date. If a customer decides to pay month-to-month, then Equifax will bill their accounts on the same day of every month without notification. If a customer wishes to cancel their subscription, they must contact Equifax directly, either by phone or email. Customer service will be able to determine any customer refunds, if applicable.

Additional Add-ons and Plans

Additional plans include Equifax's Score Watch, which enables customers to keep an eye on their credit scores, leading to bigger savings and more purchasing power. With this plan, Equifax will monitor a customer's credit score continuously, and notify them if a change in their FICO score will impact interest rates that they are likely to receive. This plan includes daily monitoring of customers' Equifax credit scores, two free Score Power scores, and detailed explanations of their key score changes along with other features. Score Power scores, in particular, enable customers to receive their FICO credit scores along with details and comparisons of their current scores, and graphs of how lenders may view them.

Equifax's Score Watch plan is $9.95/month.

Other add-ons for some of the above plans include 3-in-1 credit scores with or without FICO scores ($29.95 without, $39.95 with), and 3-in-1 credit scoring with Score Power for $39.95.

Customer Service

Equifax offers customer support through an extensive FAQ section, a searchable article database, a customer service email and a toll-free number that is open from 8 AM to 3 AM EST, 7 days a week.

Customers can only access customer service numbers and emails once they have logged into their Equifax accounts online.

FAQ URL: http://www.equifax.com/credit-report-customer-service