How to Get Your Credit Report From Equifax

The information in your credit report has a direct impact on your financial health. Landlords, lenders, and even some employers may review it to assess how financially responsible you are. If you want an honest look at your credit history, the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian) are the best source of information. 

Knowing how to get credit report Equifax records is one of the most important steps to taking control of your financial future. Your report contains a detailed accounting of open accounts, payments, and debts. Learn how to get your Equifax report and how to use that information to position yourself as a more appealing borrower. 

How to get your Equifax credit report

Here’s how to get credit report Equifax documents using one of three convenient options. 

Request your free annual credit report

The easiest option involves using AnnualCreditReport.com to get your free credit report. Under federal law, you are entitled to one free report every 12 months from each bureau. Here’s how it works:

• Visit AnnualCreditReport.com
• Provide identifying information, like your name, Social Security number, and date of birth
• Select Equifax
• Get a one-time code through text or email and enter it
• View or print your report

You can repeat similar steps to access your Experian and TransUnion reports. 

Create an Equifax account

Alternatively, you can create a free Equifax account and request your report directly from the credit bureau. As an account holder, you can sign up for other Equifax services. Some require a paid subscription, while others are free. 

Request by phone or mail

The third option is to request your report by mail or phone using the steps outlined in AnnualCreditReport.com. This is a slower approach. If you want prompt access to your credit report, consider requesting it online.

How to monitor your credit

You should monitor your financial data throughout the year. Here are three ways to monitor and manage this information. 

Review your reports regularly

When you obtain a copy of your credit report, review it for accuracy. Make sure that the accounts, balances, and account statuses are correct. If you notice any discrepancies, use a tool like Kikoff to generate and submit a dispute letter. 

Use credit monitoring tools

Even if you space out your three credit reports over the year, there will be a four-month gap between each glimpse into your financial data. Therefore, you should consider using a monitoring tool to track changes to your score over time. These apps will notify you when an inquiry is conducted or an account’s status changes. 

Build positive payment history 

Your payment history has the largest impact on your credit score. Reporting positive behavior, such as on-time rent and utility payments, can strengthen your history and help you boost your score. 

The downside is that most landlords and utility companies do not report on-time payments. They only report late payments, typically if you are delinquent and the account is sent to a collections agency. However, you can opt in for on-time payment reporting with a free service like Kikoff. 

Report on-time rent payments with Kikoff

After learning how to get credit report Equifax documents, you may find that your payment history needs a boost. If you want to position yourself as a more appealing borrower for lenders or strengthen your score, Kikoff can help. 

Our platform allows you to report on-time rent and utility payments to help build your score. Kikoff also offers free dispute and debt negotiation tools on eligible debts. Build credit responsibly with Kikoff’s plans.