Equifax Credit Watch™ FAQs
Questions regarding your Equifax Credit Watch™ notifications
- I got an email notification saying an account was removed from my credit report, but the account is still open and the last activity was just a few months ago. What happened?
- After I got an Equifax Credit Watch™ notification regarding my account balance, I called my credit card company and found that their balance doesn't match the balance on the alert. Why?
- I've started using a new credit card, but still haven't received an alert about opening a new account. Why?
- What type of notifications should I expect to receive?
- I received a credit file alert from one or two of the credit reporting agencies, but not all three. Why did this occur?
- See more about this topic in Equifax Credit Watch™ How To.
Questions regarding renewing or upgrading your existing Equifax Credit Watch™ service
- I have Equifax Credit Watch™ Silver, can I upgrade to Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold?
- I have Equifax Credit Watch™ Silver or Gold, can I upgrade to Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring ?
- See more about this topic in Equifax Credit Watch™ How To.
Considering signing up for Equifax Credit Watch™?
- If I have a fraud alert set on my credit file, why do I need Equifax Credit Watch™?
- Do you offer Equifax Credit Watch™ via mail?
- Why should I purchase Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring?
- I do not have files at Experian or TransUnion. Will I be able to purchase Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring?
Questions about the Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold Family Program
- What is the Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold Family Program?
- How long is the Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold Family Program product code valid?
- I recieved a credit file alert from one or two of the credit reporting agencies, but not all three. Why did this occur?
- I do not have files at Experian or TransUnion. Will I be able to purchase Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring Family Program?
- See more about this topic in Equifax Credit Watch™ How To.
Questions about Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold with MONEY Magazine
I got an email notification saying an account was removed from my credit report, but the account is still open and the last activity was just a few months ago. What happened?
Equifax Credit Watch™ works by comparing the information currently in your credit file to the information that was in your credit file the day before. If a bank reports an account number to Equifax as 12345678 one day, Equifax Credit Watch™ will look for that exact account number the following day.
If the bank changes the way it reports the account number -- so that it appears as 01234567, for example -- Equifax Credit Watch™ may send you an alert that the old account has been closed and a new account opened, though in reality nothing has changed. Also, from time to time lenders ask that we remove accounts from our system. This can be a permanent removal or just for a short time. Either way, this would cause this type of alert.
After I got an Equifax Credit Watch™ notification regarding my account balance, I called my credit card company and found that their balance doesn't match the balance on the alert. Why?
Equifax Credit Watch™ sends you alerts based on the information your creditors report to Equifax. Your creditor may have reported your information before you made recent charges or before your latest payment was received.
I've started using a new credit card, but still haven't received an alert about opening a new account. Why?
Most credit card issuers report a new account within 30 days, but some can take as long as 90 days. Also, some smaller issuers may report to only one of three national credit reporting agencies -- Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. If your issuer doesn't report to Equifax, Equifax will not receive the information. Call your card issuer and ask which credit reporting agencies it reports to, and how often.
What types of notifications should I expect to receive?
Using criteria effective in determining possible early warning signs of identity theft, Equifax alerts you by email of certain changes to your Equifax credit file. Changes that result in a notification include:
- New accounts opened in your name
- Credit inquiries resulting from a company requesting a copy of your credit report
- An address change
- Bankruptcies and other public records
- Some changes to current accounts
- Balance increase alerts based on a self-selected dollar amount or percentage
When you receive a notification for an event you do not recognize, you should contact the company or organization listed in the notification immediately.
I received a credit file alert from one or two of the credit reporting agencies, but not all three. Why did this occur?
There may be multiple reasons why this occurred. Creditors, lenders, and other entities do not always report to each credit reporting company on the same schedule. Therefore, you may receive the same alert from each agency, but with a lapse of time between each one. In addition, not all creditors, lenders, and entities report to all three agencies. As a result you may not get an alert from each credit reporting company.
I have Equifax Credit Watch™ Silver, can I upgrade to Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold?
You can automatically upgrade your Credit Watch service from the Member Center. From the Member Center and under available products, look for the Credit Watch service you would like to upgrade to and select the order now button. Your product will be automatically upgraded based on your selection. Or you may contact customer service to assist you in upgrading your existing service. Click here for our Customer Support contact information
I have Equifax Credit Watch™ Silver or Gold, can I upgrade to Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring ?
Yes, you may upgrade to Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring. Please contact customer service to assist you in upgrading your existing service. Click here for our Customer Support contact information
If I have a fraud alert set on my credit file, why do I need Equifax Credit Watch™?
Having a fraud alert placed on your credit file is one of the first things you should do if you suspect someone is trying to open credit accounts in your name. It might be something you want to do, even if you don't think identity theft is an immediate threat.
Fraud alerts are not a cure-all, however. A fraud alert may be overlooked by creditors. If you suspect you're a victim of identity theft, or have already become a victim, fraud alerts are only a start in trying to protect your credit. You also need to pay close attention to your credit report to make sure no new credit inquiries or credit accounts are being opened.
That is why we recommend that you monitor your credit with our Equifax Credit Watch™ monitoring programs for as little as $4.95 per month. It will allow you to monitor your credit and at the same time, you will know what changes are taking place with your credit file.
Do you offer Equifax Credit Watch™ via mail?
If you choose not to receive Equifax Credit Watch™ online, it is available through the U.S. Mail. Equifax Credit Watch™ by mail includes the following:
- Your complete credit report
- Daily monitoring and notify express, which alerts you to changes to your credit report
- Quarterly credit updates
- Dedicated customer service toll-free hotline
You can order this product online at creditwatch.intersections.com. Or you can order it by mail at:
Equifax Credit Watch™
P.O. Box 222455
Chantilly, VA 20153-9954.
If you order through the mail, be sure to include your full name, Social Security number, date of birth, phone number, and mailing address. You will be sent an application along with information on how the Equifax Credit Watch™ by Mail process works.
Why should I purchase Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring?
Your file at each credit reporting company may be slightly different at each one. This is because creditors, lenders, and other entities do not always report to each agency and they typically request a report from only one agency when processing an application for credit. As a result, you could have changes occurring on one file and not the other two. With comprehensive monitoring, you get complete coverage and a peace of mind in knowing that if any changes are made to your credit file at any agency, you will be notified. Acquiring a comprehensive monitoring solution is the best way to stay on the lookout for identity theft.
I do not have files at Experian or TransUnion. Will I be able to purchase Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring?
If we cannot locate your file at Experian or TransUnion, then you will not be able to purchase Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring. However, if you have an Equifax Credit Report™, we recommend that you consider Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold in order to obtain a level of identity theft protection.
What is the Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold Family Program?
The Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold Family Program provides customers that have purchased 12 months of Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold with the ability to purchase 12 months of Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold for up to ten family members at a discount. At the time of purchase, a product code will be generated for each family member.
How long is the Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold Family Program product code valid?
Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold Family Program product code is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.
I recieved a credit file alert from one or two of the credit reporting agencies, but not all three. Why did this occur?
There may be multiple reasons why this occurred. Creditors, lendors, and other entitties do not always report to each credit reporting agency on the same schedule. Therefore, you may recieve the same alert from each agency, but with a lapse of time between each one. In addition, not all creditors, lenders and entitites report to all three agencies. As a result you may not get an alert from each credit reporting agency.
I do not have files at Experian or TransUnion. Will I be able to purchase Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring Family Program?
If we can not locate your file at Experian or TransUnion, then you will not be able to purchase Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring Family Program. However, if you havea n Equifax Credit Report, we recommend that you consider Equifax Credit Watch™ in order to obtain a level of identity theft protection.
How can I get 12 issues of MONEY Magazine?
With your 12 month purchase of Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold, 12 issues of MONEY Magazine are included. Simply purchase Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold, provide the address that you want your MONEY subscription to ship and within 30-45 days, you should receive your first issue.
When will my subscription to MONEY Magazine begin?
Your subscription to MONEY Magazine will begin 30-45 days after purchase of 12 months of Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold.
What happens if I switch from annual to monthly Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold?
This offer is valid with a paid 12 month subscription to Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold. If you choose to switch to a monthly versus 12 month plan, MONEY Magazine will not be available.
What if I already receive MONEY Magazine and am ordering Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold?
Your 12 issues of MONEY Magazine included with you 12 month purchase of Equifax Credit Watch™ Gold will be added to the end of your current subscription. It begins when your previous order expires.
