Equifax Archives - The Money Coach

Equifax Creates Consumer Website to Help Americans Deal With ID Theft

Identity Theft / Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach / Equifax, tax identity theft

When one of my sisters recently tried to file her taxes ahead of the April 15th tax-deadline, she got a nasty surprise from her accountant: the IRS rejected my sister’s tax return because someone had already illegally used her child’s social security number. Unfortunately, identity theft knows no age boundaries, and increasingly crooks that steal […]

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A magnifying glass is focused on the word "analysis" printed on a credit report, highlighting it in clear detail.

10 Surprising Things That Are and Are Not In Your Credit Report

Credit Reports / Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach / Credit History, Equifax, Experian, TransUnion

You likely already know that it’s a smart idea to check your credit reports annually. In fact, by law, you’re entitled each year to one free copy of your credit reports from each of the country’s largest credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

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A close-up image of a credit report document, with a bold title "CREDIT REPORT" and partially visible text describing the process of applying for new credit, requesting a copy of the report, and essential tips on credit monitoring.

Credit Monitoring Explained

1 Comment / Credit Reports / Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach / credit bureaus, credit monitoring, Equifax, Experian, TransUnion

Credit monitoring is an electronic, subscription-based service for consumers who want to track their credit activity at the “Big 3” U.S. credit reporting agencies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Credit bureaus, credit scoring firms and other companies typically sell credit monitoring services for a fee ranging from about $10 to $20 a month. But some

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A hand holding a pen is marking "Excellent" on a credit score form, celebrating that coveted first FICO score. Nearby are a calculator, glasses, and a document with financial information.

What is a Credit Score?

Credit Scores / Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach / Equifax, Experian, FICO score, TransUnion

A credit score is simply a three-digit number that summarizes your overall credit standing and tells creditors how likely you are to either repay a debt or default on it. A credit score is calculated based on the underlying information that is contained in your credit reports. But a credit score is not automatically included

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Three directional arrows on a signpost point left to “Good” in green, straight to “Better” in red, and right to “Best” in blue—much like choosing the right credit score with Equifax.

How to Compare Your Equifax, Experian and TransUnion Credit Reports

Credit Reports / Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach / Equifax, Experian, FICO, TransUnion, VantageScore

If you’ve thought about ordering your free credit report, which credit reporting bureau should you contact? Many people wonder what the difference is between the Equifax, Experian and TransUnion credit reports. Each credit reporting agency uses a different set of criteria and variables to calculate your credit score, and some lenders prefer to use one

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What’s the Best Way to Get Negative Information Removed From My Credit Report

Credit Reports / Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach / Credit History, Equifax, Experian, Fair Credit Reporting Act, negative information, pay for deletion, TransUnion

Question: One of my subscribers had a question. She asked, “What’s the best way to have negative information removed from my credit report?” Answer: Negative information can legally stay on your credit report for seven years. For some negative information, such as a bankruptcy, it can be as long as 10 years. The subscriber didn’t

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Differences In Equifax, Experian and TransUnion Credit Reports

Credit Reports, Featured / Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach / Equifax, equifax vs experian vs transunion, Experian, experian vs equifax vs transunion, FICO score, TransUnion

If you’ve ever pulled your credit files from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion – each of the three major credit bureaus- and tried to compare them, you know that certain information in your credit records likely to be different. But did you also realize that the manner in which the credit bureaus present your credit data

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Which Credit Report is More Important: Equifax, Experian or TransUnion?

Credit Scores / Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach / best credit report for lenders, credit bureaus, differences between credit reports, Equifax, Experian, Experian vs TransUnion vs Equifax, FICO score, TransUnion, tri-merged credit report, which credit report is most important

If you’ve ever wondered which credit report is most important, you’re not alone. Managing your finances or applying for a loan means knowing how lenders view your credit profile—and that can make all the difference. As a financial educator who’s helped countless consumers understand their credit standing, I’ve seen firsthand how the three major credit

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A red prohibition symbol overlaps the words "IDENTITY THEFT" written in bold black capital letters, emphasizing the importance of a credit freeze.

What is a Credit Freeze and How Can I Use One to Protect My Credit?

1 Comment / Credit Reports / Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach / credit freeze, Equifax, Experian, fraud alerts, TransUnion

Credit freezes help you thwart identity theft by preventing a crook from opening credit in your name. Credit freeze laws, sometimes referred to as “Credit Lock” laws, began in California in 2003. Now, all 50 states in American, in addition to Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, have laws permitting residents to lock or shut down

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A round wall clock with all its numbers appearing blurred as if in motion, while the black hour and minute hands remain clear and centered—remarkably similar to how credit bureaus focus on key details amidst a flood of information.

What’s The Fastest Way to Get the Credit Bureaus to Fix Mistakes In My Credit Reports?

Credit Reports / Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach / credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, FICO score, TransUnion

You can dispute mistakes with the credit bureaus by mail or telephone, but you’ll get the fastest results if you initiate a dispute online. Here are the websites and phone numbers you should use for the credit bureaus when you contact them to dispute errors: http://www.investigate.equifax.com or 888-800-8859 http://www.Experian.com/disputes or 866-200-6020 http://www.Transunion.com/investigate or 800-916-8800 It’s

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A blackboard with the words "Payment history" written in white chalk, highlighting an important factor reviewed in credit reports.

Why You Should Get All Three Credit Reports at Once

Credit Reports, Featured / Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach / Equifax, Experian, TransUnion

When it’s time to check your credit history, the best move is to get all three credit reports—from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—at the same time. While some experts suggest staggering your reports throughout the year, reviewing them simultaneously gives you a clearer, more comprehensive view of your credit standing. Let’s explore why pulling all three

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What Personal Information is Included in Your Credit Files

Credit Reports / Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach / Equifax, Experian, TransUnion

Federal laws dictate what personal information about you can – and can’t – be included in your credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Here’s a rundown of what to expect. Personal Information – Make Sure It’s Letter Perfect The top part of your credit report contains a condensed set of personal facts about you

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