Equifax offers a free trial to its credit monitoring service, but the trial period is short and the paid subscription begins automatically
Equifax's free trial lasts seven days. During that time, you can view your credit report, check your credit score, and use basic monitoring features at no cost. After the seven days end, Equifax will charge you a monthly subscription fee unless you cancel before the trial period closes. The monthly cost varies depending on which monitoring package you choose, but ranges from roughly $10 to $20 per month for their standard plans.
The catch is that Equifax makes cancellation straightforward to overlook. You have to actively cancel through your account dashboard or by phone before day seven ends, or the charge will post to your payment method. Many people miss this window because they forget the trial start date or assume they can cancel anytime. Once the paid subscription begins, you can still cancel, but you will not receive a refund for the month already charged.
Key Takeaways
- Equifax's free trial runs for seven days, after which a monthly subscription charge begins automatically unless you cancel.
- You must cancel before the trial ends to avoid being charged; cancellation does not happen automatically and refunds are not issued for charges already posted.
- Free credit reports are available year-round from AnnualCreditReport.com without any trial or subscription, so you do not need Equifax's trial to see your report once per year.
- If you do subscribe after the trial, you can cancel at any time, but only future charges will stop—past charges are not refunded.
What You Can Actually See During the Seven-Day Trial
During the trial period, Equifax shows you your credit score, a summary of your credit report, and alerts about new inquiries or account changes. The score you see is Equifax's own score, not the FICO score that most lenders use, so it may differ from the score a bank sees when you explore for a loan or credit card.
You also get access to your credit report itself, which lists your open accounts, payment history, and any negative marks like late payments or collections. This is the same information Equifax reports to lenders, so seeing it during the trial is genuinely useful for spotting errors or fraud. However, you can get this same report for free once per year from AnnualCreditReport.com without signing up for any trial or paying anything.
How the Automatic Charge Works and When It Hits
Equifax charges your payment method on the eighth day of your trial, not on day seven. This means if you sign up on a Monday, the charge will post on the following Monday. The exact time the charge appears depends on your bank, but it typically shows within 24 hours of the charge date.
The charge will appear under Equifax's name or a related company name on your bank or credit card statement. If you do not recognize it when ready, it can be straightforward to miss. Setting a phone reminder for day six of your trial is a practical way to make sure you cancel if you do not want to be charged.
How to Cancel Before You Are Charged
To cancel, log into your Equifax account on their website and look for the subscription or account settings section. Most accounts have a "Cancel Subscription" or "Manage Subscription" button that lets you stop the trial before it converts to a paid plan. You should see a confirmation message once the cancellation is complete.
If you cannot find the cancellation option online, you can call Equifax's customer service line. Have your account email and the phone number associated with your account ready. Ask them to cancel your trial subscription and request written confirmation via email so you have a record of the cancellation date.
Why You Might Not Need Equifax's Trial at All
AnnualCreditReport.com is a free service run by the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—and it gives you one free credit report per year from each bureau. You do not need to sign up for a trial, provide a payment method, or worry about automatic charges. You can pull your reports whenever you want during the year, though you only get one free report per bureau per 12-month period.
If you want to monitor your credit continuously without paying, several banks and credit card companies offer free credit score monitoring to their customers. Capital One, Chase, and Discover all provide free score updates to cardholders. These services do not have trials or automatic charges—they are straightforward included as a cardholder benefit.
What Happens If You Miss the Cancellation Window
If the seven-day trial converts to a paid subscription and you are charged, you can still cancel your account at any time. However, Equifax will not refund the charge that has already posted. You can cancel when ready after being charged, and no further charges will occur, but the first month's fee is gone.
If you were charged and did not intend to be, contact Equifax customer service and explain that you did not cancel in time. Some representatives may issue a one-time courtesy refund if you ask, but this is not may provide. It is easier to prevent the charge by canceling before day eight than to try to recover it afterward.
Comparing Equifax's Paid Plans If You Decide to Stay
Equifax offers several subscription tiers. Their basic plan typically includes credit score monitoring, credit report access, and alerts about new accounts or inquiries. Mid-tier plans add identity theft insurance and more detailed fraud monitoring. Premium plans include credit lock features and higher insurance limits.
Before committing to a paid plan, compare what you actually need. If you only want to check your score occasionally, the free annual report from AnnualCreditReport.com and free monitoring from your bank may be enough. If you want continuous monitoring and identity theft protection, a paid subscription makes more sense—but shop around, because other companies like Credit Karma and Experian offer similar features at different price points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I was charged after the trial ended?
Equifax does not automatically refund charges after the trial converts to a paid subscription. However, you can contact customer service and request a one-time courtesy refund. There is no may provide they will grant it, but it is worth asking if you were charged unexpectedly. If they refuse, you can dispute the charge with your bank or credit card company.
Is the credit score Equifax shows me the same one lenders see?
No. Equifax shows you their own branded credit score, which is different from the FICO score most lenders use. Your FICO score may be higher or lower than the Equifax score you see during the trial. For a more accurate picture of what lenders see, check your FICO score through myfico.com or ask your bank if they provide FICO scores to customers.
Do I have to provide a credit card to start the free trial?
Yes. Equifax requires a valid payment method to start the trial, even though the first seven days are free. This is how they may support the automatic charge goes through on day eight if you do not cancel. Do not start the trial unless you are willing to set a reminder to cancel before day seven ends.
What if I cancel but still get charged?
If you canceled before day eight and were still charged, contact Equifax when ready with your cancellation confirmation. Explain the situation and ask them to reverse the charge. Keep any emails or screenshots showing your cancellation date, as these help support your case.
Can I restart the free trial after I cancel?
Equifax typically does not allow the same account to use the free trial twice. Once you cancel, you would need to sign up as a new user with a different email address to access another trial. However, this is not recommended—it is easier to use the free annual report from AnnualCreditReport.com instead.