The right credit bureau phone number or mailing address depends on your request. Credit report disputes, credit freezes, and free credit report requests can go to different departments. The contact table below helps you choose where to start.
This guide covers how to reach Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, what to have ready, and how to follow up if an issue remains unresolved. We checked published credit bureau instructions and federal consumer guidance for this update.
Credit Bureau Phone Numbers at a Glance
Use the number for the service you need. Mailing addresses for disputes and credit freezes appear in each credit bureau’s section below.
| Credit Bureau | Credit Report Disputes | Credit Freezes |
|---|---|---|
| Equifax | 866-349-5191, or the number on your credit report | 888-298-0045 |
| Experian | Use the number on your Experian credit report; 888-397-3742 is another contact option | 888-397-3742 |
| TransUnion | 800-916-8800 | 888-909-8872 for automated service; 800-916-8800 for representative assistance |
For free credit report requests through AnnualCreditReport.com, call 877-322-8228. This line handles credit report requests, so use the individual credit bureau contacts for disputes.
Equifax Phone Numbers and Mailing Addresses
Call 866-349-5191 for an Equifax credit report dispute, or use the phone number on your credit report. You can also submit a dispute through your myEquifax account on the Equifax website.
Mail credit report disputes to:
Equifax Information Services, LLC
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
For a credit freeze, call 888-298-0045 or manage the request through myEquifax. Mail credit freeze requests to:
Equifax Information Services LLC
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348-5788
Check Equifax’s document requirements before you mail your request. Use the address for the specific service you need.
Experian Phone Numbers and Mailing Addresses
Experian recommends the phone number on your Experian credit report for dispute assistance. You can also submit and track a dispute through the Dispute Center on the Experian website.
Mail credit report disputes to:
Experian
P.O. Box 4500
Allen, TX 75013
For credit freezes or fraud and identity theft assistance, call 888-397-3742. You can also manage a credit freeze through your Experian account. Mail credit freeze requests to:
Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
Experian has separate contact details for paid membership support. If your question concerns a subscription charge or cancellation, use the membership support option in your account.
TransUnion Phone Numbers and Mailing Addresses
Call 800-916-8800 for TransUnion credit report disputes and Consumer Relations assistance. Representatives answer calls Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern and Saturday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern.
Mail credit report disputes to:
TransUnion Consumer Solutions
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016-2000
For automated credit freeze service, call 888-909-8872 at any time. If you need a representative’s help with a credit freeze, call 800-916-8800 during the hours above.
Mail credit freeze requests to:
TransUnion
P.O. Box 160
Woodlyn, PA 19094
You can also submit disputes and manage credit freezes through the Service Center on the TransUnion website. Check the instructions for your request before you send documents.
Which Credit Bureaus Should You Contact?
Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion maintain separate credit reports. The same error might appear on one, two, or all three credit reports, so check which credit bureaus need to hear from you.
| Your Goal | Who to Contact |
|---|---|
| Dispute inaccurate or incomplete information | Each credit bureau whose credit report contains the error |
| Freeze all three major credit reports | Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion separately |
| Place an initial fraud alert | Any one of the three major credit bureaus; it must notify the other two |
| Request free credit reports | AnnualCreditReport.com, or its centralized phone and mail service |
A fraud alert requires lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity before they extend credit. It doesn’t block access to your credit report. An initial fraud alert lasts one year and can be renewed.
A security freeze restricts access to your credit report for new credit applications. Anyone can place a credit freeze, even without a history of identity theft. Credit freezes and fraud alerts are free, and neither requires a paid monitoring subscription.
If fraudulent accounts already appear on your credit report, you’ll need to address those accounts separately. A fraud alert or credit freeze won’t remove them.
What to Have Ready Before You Contact a Credit Bureau
A credit bureau needs to verify your identity before it can handle many requests. Check its requirements first, then gather the details that apply to your situation.
- Identity Details: Have your full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address ready. You may also need previous addresses.
- Credit Report Information: Keep your credit report nearby, plus any credit report confirmation number or existing dispute number.
- Specific Error: Identify the account, explain what’s wrong, and state the correction you want.
- Supporting Documents: Gather payment records, account statements, payoff letters, or identity theft documentation that supports your dispute.
- Proof of Identity and Address: Prepare copies of the identification and address documents the credit bureau requests.
For mailed disputes, send copies and keep your original documents. Save your letter and attachments. Certified mail with a return receipt can provide proof of delivery, but it isn’t mandatory for every request. Our guide to how to dispute credit report errors explains the process in more detail.
Choose the contact method that fits your task. Online services let you submit requests and save confirmations. Phone support can help clarify instructions. Mail lets you send a written explanation with document copies. No method guarantees a particular dispute outcome.
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How to Request Free Credit Reports by Phone, Mail, or Online
You can get a free online credit report from each major credit bureau once a week through AnnualCreditReport.com. This weekly program is separate from your legal right to a free credit report from each major credit bureau every 12 months.
To request your free annual credit reports by phone, call 877-322-8228. For a mailed request, get the Annual Credit Report Request Form from the same website, complete it, and send it to:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
Use this address for credit report requests. Send disputes to the individual credit bureau’s dispute address.
If a lender denies your application based on your credit report, the denial notice identifies the credit bureau it used. You can request a free credit report from that credit bureau within 60 days after you receive the notice. Our free credit report guide explains other ways to access your credit information.
AnnualCreditReport.com doesn’t include free credit scores. Experian offers a free FICO credit score through its free account, and some credit cards provide free FICO credit scores.
What to Do if a Credit Bureau Doesn’t Resolve Your Dispute
Keep the date the credit bureau received your dispute, your confirmation number, and copies of your documents. You’ll need those details if you have to follow up.
Credit bureaus generally have 30 days to investigate a dispute. The period can extend to 45 days if you dispute information after a free annual credit report or submit additional relevant information during the initial investigation period. The credit bureau generally must notify you of the results within five business days after it finishes.
If the error remains, read the explanation and identify what still needs correction. Contact the company that supplied the information as well as the credit bureau. Explain the specific problem and provide evidence that supports your position.
For an unresolved problem, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Its current complaint instructions require you to dispute inaccurate or incomplete credit report information directly with the credit reporting company first. Include the dispute history, the response, and the outcome you want.
Innovis Phone Number and Mailing Address
Innovis maintains credit information separately from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You can contact Innovis to request your credit report, dispute an error, or manage a credit freeze.
Call 800-540-2505. Its consumer assistance mailing address is:
Innovis Consumer Assistance
P.O. Box 530088
Atlanta, GA 30353-0088
Check Innovis’s service instructions before you mail documents. You’ll need a separate request to freeze your Innovis credit report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does contacting a credit bureau affect my credit score?
Calling a credit bureau or requesting your own credit report won’t lower your credit score. If a dispute leads to changes in your credit report, your credit score could change because of the updated information. The dispute itself doesn’t cause a credit score penalty.
What should I do if a credit bureau can’t verify my identity online?
Follow the credit bureau’s instructions for another way to verify your identity. You may need to call or mail copies of identification and proof of your current address. An unsuccessful online identity check doesn’t necessarily mean there’s an error on your credit report or that someone has stolen your identity.
Can someone else contact a credit bureau on my behalf?
Someone can help you prepare a request, but the credit bureau may require authorization before it discusses your personal information with that person. Requirements depend on the request. For example, TransUnion permits certain credit freeze requests from spouses or people with valid power of attorney after identity verification.
How do I contact the credit bureaus to freeze my child’s credit?
For a child under 16, follow each credit bureau’s instructions for a protected consumer credit freeze. You’ll need documents that establish your identity, your child’s identity, and your authority to make the request. These requests generally require mail because the credit bureau must review those documents. Contact each major credit bureau separately.
Can a credit bureau refuse to investigate my dispute?
Yes. A credit bureau can decline to investigate a dispute it reasonably determines is frivolous or irrelevant. This can happen if the dispute doesn’t identify the information at issue or provide enough detail to investigate. The credit bureau must notify you within five business days after that decision and explain the reason. Review the notice and supply any missing information.
