Equifax is one of the three main credit bureaus and a well-respected provider of credit information. They offer various programs for monitoring your credit files for identity theft and credit fraud, as well as a program for monitoring your credit score. They also provide several options for receiving your credit reports and credit score.
There are multiple plans available if you would like to monitor your credit files for identity theft and credit fraud, including Equifax Credit Watch Gold, Equifax Credit Watch Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring, and their feature plan, Equifax Credit Watch Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring and Score Power.
Depending on which plan you choose, Equifax provides daily or weekly credit file monitoring, alerts you to key changes in your credit files, gives you access to your credit reports and credit score, and protects you with up to $20,000 in identity theft insurance.
If you choose one of the Credit Watch programs, you'll also have the option to add Equifax Credit Report Control, which allows you to lock and unlock your Equifax credit report online quickly and easily. This helps prevent credit fraud by restricting access to your Equifax credit report.
They also offer the Score Watch program, which is designed to monitor changes to your credit score that will affect the interest rate that you are most likely to receive, and it monitors your Equifax credit file for key changes as well. This program is great if you would like to keep track of your credit score to know specifically when the best time is to apply for new credit.
If you are looking to receive copies of your credit report or credit score, Equifax offers a wide range of products to suit your needs. You can choose from simply receiving your Equifax credit report to receiving a 3-in-1 credit report from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, plus your current FICO score is also available. All of these options include various helpful tools and a confirmation number that is needed to use the Equifax free online dispute feature if there are any inaccuracies in your credit reports.
Overall, the range of options that are available and the reasonable prices make Equifax an excellent option for obtaining credit file information and credit monitoring services.
Most attractive features: Variety of program options available; reasonable prices.
Least attractive features: No trial period provided.
Additional Services
Equifax Credit Rankings to see where you stand compared to the average by state or zip code (service provided at an additional fee).
Equifax Rate Finder to see what lender is offering the best rate for your credit score.
Bureaus Reported: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Report Frequency: Depending on the plan you choose, either one copy of your Equifax credit report is provided or a 3-in-1 credit report including Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion is provided, and for some plans, unlimited Equifax reports are available.
Delivery Method: Online
Report Details: There are several options available for obtaining your credit reports.
If you are strictly interested in reviewing your credit reports and don't need credit monitoring services, you can choose the 3-in-1 Credit Report, the 3-in-1 Credit Report with Score Power, or the Score Power plan. The 3-in-1 Credit Report plan offers immediate online access to a line-by-line comparison of your credit history with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, while the 3-in-1 Credit Report with Score Power option also provides access to your FICO credit score with a detailed explanation. The Score Power option is also available individually and includes instant online access to your Equifax credit report as well as your FICO score.
If you are interested in credit monitoring services, there are several options that also offer access to your credit reports, including Equifax Credit Watch Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring and Score Power, Equifax Credit Watch Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring, Equifax Credit Watch Gold, and Score Watch. The Equifax Credit Watch Gold plan provides unlimited Equifax credit reports, while the Equifax Credit Watch Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring options both include a free 3-in-1 credit report as well. Score Watch includes one initial Equifax credit report.
If you choose one of the Credit Watch programs, you'll also have the option to add Equifax Credit Report Control, which allows you to lock and unlock your Equifax credit report online quickly and easily. This helps prevent credit fraud by restricting access to your Equifax credit report.
Bureaus Scored: Equifax
Score Frequency: Depending on the plan you choose, either one or two credit scores will be provided.
Delivery Method: Online
Score Details: There are several options available for obtaining your credit score.
If you are strictly interested in reviewing your credit score and don't need credit report or credit score monitoring services, you can choose either the Score Power plan or the 3-in-1 Credit Report with Score Power plan. Either option offers you immediate online access to your FICO credit score. Score Power on its own provides a copy of your FICO score and Equifax credit report, while the 3-in-1 Credit Report with Score Power option includes a 3-in-1 credit report instead of a single-bureau report.
If you are also interested in monitoring your credit report and credit score for changes, the Score Watch plan alerts you to positive changes in your FICO Score, and it provides two free Score Power reports with discounts on additional Score Power reports available. The Equifax Credit Watch Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring and Score Power plan is another option that monitors your credit reports while providing you with access to Score Power as well.
Bureaus Monitored: Equifax, Experian, TransUnion, and FICO score.
Monitoring Frequency: Depending on which credit monitoring plan is chosen, your credit reports and/or credit score can be monitored on a daily or weekly basis.
Monitored Occurrences: Equifax Credit Watch Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring and Score Power, Equifax Credit Watch Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring, and Equifax Credit Watch Gold are all designed for identity theft protection. They monitor your credit files for key changes to your credit reports.
The Score Watch plan monitors your Equifax credit report for key changes, and it also monitors your FICO credit score for changes that could possibly affect the interest rates you are likely to receive.
Alert Delivery Method: Email and wireless alerts provided.
Insurance/Protection Provided: All of the Equifax Credit Watch Gold plans provide up to $20,000 in identity theft insurance with no deductible.
Monitoring Details: Equifax Credit Watch Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring and Score Power monitors credit files from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion on a daily basis for any key changes, and it provides one 3-in-1 credit report, unlimited Equifax credit reports, and up to $20,000 in identity theft insurance with no deductible, plus you'll get Score Power for access to your FICO credit score and tolls to help you manage it.
The Equifax Credit Watch Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring plan monitors credit files from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion on a daily basis for any key changes, plus it provides one 3-in-1 credit report, unlimited Equifax credit reports, and up to $20,000 in identity theft insurance with no deductible.
The Equifax Credit Watch Gold plan monitors credit files from Equifax on a daily basis for any key changes, plus it provides unlimited Equifax credit reports and up to $20,000 in identity theft insurance with no deductible.
If you choose one of the Credit Watch programs, you'll also have the option to add Equifax Credit Report Control, which allows you to lock and unlock your Equifax credit report online quickly and easily. This helps prevent credit fraud by restricting access to your Equifax credit report.
The Score Watch plan monitors credit files from Equifax on a daily basis for any key changes, and it monitors your FICO credit score on a weekly basis for any changes that could possibly affect the interest rates you are likely to receive. It also provides two free Score Power reports, plus additional Score Power reports at a discounted price.
Trial Provided: Yes
Trial Price: Free
Trial Length: 30 Days
Trial Details: Not Available
Price: $14.95*
Payment Frequency: Monthly*
Processing Fee: None
Price Details: *Prices vary depending on the plan that is chosen, and while there are monthly fees for the monitoring plans, there are only single charges for credit reports and scores.
Equifax Credit Watch Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring and Score Power - $14.95 monthly.
Equifax Credit Watch Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring - $12.95 monthly.
Equifax Credit Watch Gold - $9.95 monthly.
Score Watch - $9.95 monthly or $99.95 yearly.
3-in-1 Credit Report - $29.95.
3-in-1 Credit Report with Score Power - $39.95.
Score Power - $15.95.
Family pricing plans are also available for the monitoring services. Please see the application for more details.
Payment Methods: Credit card
Payment Policy: None
Important Notations: See the application for the complete terms and conditions of the program.
