Call Equifax's dispute line at 1-888-378-4329
Equifax operates a dedicated phone line for credit report disputes. The number is 1-888-378-4329, and it is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time. When you call, have your Social Security number and date of birth ready — the system will ask for both before connecting you to a representative.
The wait time varies depending on call volume. During business hours early in the week, you may wait 10 to 20 minutes. Late Friday afternoons and the first few days of the month tend to be busier. If you reach an automated system first, listen for the option to dispute information on your report — do not press the option for fraud or identity theft unless that is your specific situation, as it routes to a different department.
When a representative answers, explain which item on your report you want to dispute and why you believe it is wrong. Equifax will ask you to describe the inaccuracy — for example, an account marked as late when you paid on time, or a debt that does not belong to you. Have your credit report in front of you so you can reference the exact account name, account number, and the information you are disputing.
Key Takeaways
- Equifax's dispute phone line is 1-888-378-4329, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time.
- You will need your Social Security number and date of birth to reach a representative.
- Disputes can also be filed online through Equifax's website or by mail, and online disputes often process faster than phone disputes.
- Equifax has 30 to 45 days to investigate your dispute and report back to you in writing.
- If Equifax finds the information is inaccurate, they will correct it and send corrected reports to the creditors and agencies that received the wrong information.
What happens after you file a dispute by phone
After you describe the disputed item, the representative will create a dispute case and assign it a reference number. Write down this number — you will need it to check the status of your dispute later. Equifax will send you a confirmation letter by mail within a few days that restates what you disputed and includes the reference number again.
Equifax then contacts the creditor or data furnisher (the company that reported the information) and asks them to verify the accuracy of the account. The creditor has 30 days to respond. If the creditor cannot verify the information or agrees it is wrong, Equifax removes or corrects it. If the creditor confirms the information is accurate, it stays on your report.
You will receive a written result letter within 30 to 45 days of filing. This letter tells you whether the dispute was upheld, what changed on your report, and your rights if you disagree with the outcome. If information was removed or corrected, Equifax sends updated reports to all creditors and agencies that received your report in the past six months.
Online and mail disputes may be faster
While the phone line is available, filing a dispute online through Equifax's website often moves through their system more quickly. You can start an online dispute at equifax.com by clicking "Dispute" and following the prompts. You will need to verify your identity, usually by answering security questions or providing a credit card number.
Online disputes let you upload documents that support your claim — for example, a bank statement showing you paid an account on time, or a letter from a creditor saying they reported the account in error. Having documentation ready speeds up the investigation because the creditor can see your evidence when ready.
You can also dispute by mail. Send a letter to Equifax Consumer Services, P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241. Include your name, address, Social Security number, and a clear description of each item you are disputing and why. Mail disputes take longer — typically 6 to 8 weeks — because your letter must be received, scanned, and entered into their system before the investigation begins.
What to do if you cannot reach a representative
If you call during hours when Equifax is closed or experience repeated disconnections, try calling back at a different time. The line is busiest on Mondays and the first week of each month. Calling on a Wednesday or Thursday afternoon often means shorter waits.
If you have tried multiple times and cannot connect, file your dispute online instead. The online process does not require you to wait on hold and produces the same legal outcome. You can also mail your dispute, though it takes longer. Both methods create an official record that Equifax received your dispute on a specific date, which is what matters for the 30-day investigation important date.
If you believe Equifax is not investigating your dispute properly or is ignoring your request, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. The CFPB can compel Equifax to respond and investigate further.
Disputes for fraud or identity theft
If the inaccurate information on your report resulted from fraud or identity theft — for example, accounts you did not open or charges you did not make — tell the representative this when you call. Equifax will flag your account and may place a fraud alert on your report, which tells creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name.
You can also request a credit freeze, which prevents anyone from opening new accounts using your Social Security number without your permission. A freeze is free and does not hurt your credit score. You will need to temporarily lift the freeze if you want to open a new account yourself, but you can do this online or by phone.
If you are a victim of identity theft, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov. The FTC will create an Identity Theft Report that you can show to creditors and Equifax to prove the accounts are fraudulent. This report carries more weight than a dispute alone and often results in faster removal of fraudulent accounts.
Keep records of your dispute
Save every piece of paper related to your dispute. This includes the confirmation letter Equifax mails you, the reference number from your phone call, any documents you submitted, and the final result letter. If Equifax does not correct the information or if the same inaccuracy reappears on your report later, you will need these records to prove you already disputed it.
If you dispute the same item a second time within 30 days, Equifax may treat it as a duplicate and close it without investigating again. Spacing out disputes by at least 30 days and keeping documentation of each one prevents this problem. You can also request that Equifax include a consumer statement on your report — a note in your own words explaining your side of the dispute — if you disagree with their findings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take Equifax to remove wrong information after I dispute it?
Equifax has 30 to 45 days to investigate and report back to you. If they find the information is inaccurate, they remove or correct it when ready. However, it may take another 1 to 2 weeks for the change to appear on your credit report because the update has to flow through their system to the credit bureaus and creditors.
Can I dispute information over the phone if I do not have my Social Security number memorized?
You will need your Social Security number to reach a representative, so have it available before you call. If you do not have it memorized, look it up on a tax return, bank statement, or insurance document. If you cannot locate it, file your dispute online or by mail instead — both methods let you verify your identity through other means.
What if the creditor says the information is accurate and Equifax does not remove it?
If you disagree with Equifax's decision, you can file a second dispute with additional documentation, request a consumer statement be added to your report, or file a complaint with the CFPB. You can also contact the creditor directly and ask them to correct the information they reported, which may lead them to update Equifax on their own.
Do I need to pay Equifax to dispute information on my report?
No. Disputing inaccurate information is free under federal law. Equifax cannot charge you for filing a dispute, investigating it, or correcting errors. If a company claims you must pay to dispute your credit report, it is a scam.
Can I dispute information if I am not the account holder?
You can dispute information on your own credit report. If you want to dispute information on someone else's report — for example, a family member's — that person must file the dispute themselves or give you written permission to act on their behalf. Equifax will ask for proof of authorization before accepting a dispute from anyone other than the person whose report it is.