How to Opt Out of Equifax?

Here's a two‑minute checklist that gets you opted out of Equifax's main data streams.

• Determine which opt‑out applies to you (security freeze, prescreened offers, marketing lists, or fraud alert).
• Place a security freeze instantly at the Equifax credit freeze portal.
• Opt out of prescreened credit offers via OptOutPrescreen.com or call 1‑888‑5‑OPTOUT.
• Remove yourself from Equifax marketing and data‑sharing lists by completing the online form or calling 1‑800‑555‑0199.
• If you suspect identity theft, set a fraud alert now through IdentityTheft.gov.

Pick the Equifax opt‑out that matches your risk level and the data you want to block.

Your 2‑minute opt‑out checklist (section 1) gives you the personal details and contact info you'll need for any of these choices.

• Security freeze - stops all new credit inquiries, perfect if you're not planning to open new accounts or have been a fraud victim. Lift or lift‑temporarily with a PIN; the freeze stays in place until you remove it.
• Fraud alert - adds a 90‑day warning to your file, best when you suspect identity theft but still need to apply for credit. Lenders must verify your identity before issuing new accounts.
• OptOutPrescreen.com opt‑out - removes your name from prescreened credit‑offer lists, ideal for cutting junk mail while allowing legitimate lender checks.
• Marketing‑list opt‑out - tells Equifax not to share your information with its advertising partners, useful if you want fewer phone calls and promotional emails.
• Browser/device tracking limit - activate Equifax's 'Do Not Track' settings on its online tools, suited for privacy‑savvy users who browse credit‑related sites.

A security freeze stops anyone - including Equifax - from pulling your credit report without your PIN or password.

1. Gather your personal details: full name, Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and a government‑issued ID (driver's license or passport).
2. Choose your preferred method:
   • Online - Visit the official Equifax freeze portal at Equifax credit freeze page and follow the prompts.
   • Phone - Call 1‑800‑349‑9960, verify your identity, and request the freeze.
   • Mail - Send a signed letter with the information from step 1 to Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105069, Atlanta, GA 30348. Include a copy of your ID.
3. Receive your confirmation PIN or password. Keep it safe; you'll need it to lift or temporarily lift the freeze.
4. Verify the freeze is active by checking your online account, calling the hotline, or reviewing the mailed confirmation.
5. To lift or pause the freeze, use the same method (online, phone, or mail) and provide your PIN/password. No expiration applies; the freeze remains until you request removal.

Stop prescreened credit offers by completing an opt‑out on OptOutPrescreen.com or by calling 1‑888‑5‑OPT‑OUT.

• Go to OptOutPrescreen.com and click 'Opt‑Out of Credit and Insurance Offers.'
• Enter your full name, current address, Social Security number, and date of birth.
• Choose '5‑year opt‑out' for a temporary block or 'Permanent opt‑out' for indefinite protection.
• Review the summary, submit the form, and note the confirmation number displayed.
• If you prefer phone, dial 1‑888‑5‑OPT‑OUT (1‑888‑567‑8868) and provide the same personal details; the representative will confirm your request.
• Keep the confirmation notice for at least 30 days; Equifax must honor the opt‑out within five business days of receipt.

After confirmation, prescreened credit and insurance offers from Equifax and its partners stop arriving for the chosen period. You can later modify or cancel the opt‑out through the same website, and the next section explains how to opt out of Equifax marketing lists and data sharing.

You stop Equifax marketing offers by submitting an opt-out through the online Consumer Preference Center (Equifax marketing preference portal) or by mailing a short request to Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 1025, Atlanta, GA 30301; no government ID is required.

The online form updates your preferences instantly, while mailed requests are processed within a few weeks, and Equifax is not bound to confirm the change within any statutory deadline.

Remember, the opt-out only halts promotional mail, credit‑card offers, and phone calls; it does not prevent Equifax from sharing your credit‑report data with lenders, affiliates, or under legal obligations. If you need stronger protection, the next sections explain how to place a security freeze or set a fraud alert after identity theft.

A fraud alert tells Equifax to flag your file for extra verification whenever a new account or credit inquiry appears, buying you time after identity theft.

Call 1‑866‑640‑2273, use the online portal at Equifax fraud alert page, or mail a signed request to Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105786, Atlanta, GA 30348. Provide your name, Social Security number, date of birth, and a brief statement that you're a victim of identity theft; the agency will place a 90‑day fraud alert (extendable to 365 days with an Identity Theft Report).

Equifax sends you written confirmation within five business days; keep it with your police report and FTC Identity Theft Report. The alert coexists with any security freeze you added in the earlier checklist, and it prepares you for the next step - limiting Equifax tracking on browsers and devices.

Limit Equifax tracking by tightening browser and device privacy settings now.

You can curb Equifax data collection by:

• turning off third‑party cookies in Chrome, Firefox or Safari,
• installing a privacy‑focused extension such as Privacy Badger for browsers,
• clearing cache and site data each week,
• enabling 'Do Not Track' in your browser preferences, and
• using a reputable VPN to mask your IP address.

Once these measures are active, check that Equifax‑related prescreen offers stop appearing, then proceed to confirm and document your Equifax opt‑out status.

Confirm and document your Equifax opt-out status by securing written proof from Equifax and storing it where you can retrieve it quickly.

Proof can be a mailed 'freeze‑confirmation' letter, an emailed receipt, or a screenshot from your online Equifax account showing the freeze, security‑freeze, fraud‑alert, or OptOutPrescreen.com status. Save the original in a filing system alongside your credit‑card statements, and back up a digital copy on an encrypted drive. If you used OptOutPrescreen.com, keep the email confirmation or the printable receipt page.

When you receive the Equifax security freeze confirmation, note the reference number, date, and the type of opt‑out you requested. Should you need to dispute a future inquiry, this documentation proves the opt‑out was active at the relevant time.

Equifax removes deceased or minor records when you provide the required documentation.

For a deceased consumer, submit a signed request, a copy of the death certificate, and proof you are the executor or next‑of‑kin. Email the packet to the Equifax Security Freeze team ([email protected]) or fax 1‑800‑349‑9960; the agency must act within 30 days. After processing, the file disappears from credit checks and prescreened offers.

For a minor, provide a notarized request, the child's birth certificate, and legal‑guardian proof such as a custody order. Mail the bundle to Equifax Consumer Help, P.O. Box 105069, Atlanta, GA 30348; the company will close the file within 30 days, shielding the child from identity‑theft. See the Equifax consumer services page for the exact forms.

If Equifax says your opt-out request is denied, you can still push back. Call the consumer‑relations line at 1‑888‑766‑0008, request a review of the decision, and ask for the reason they provided. The Fair Credit Reporting Act does not obligate Equifax to give a detailed written denial, so you may need to take the issue higher.

File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau portal or your state attorney general, keep copies of every request and response, and consider consulting an attorney who handles credit‑reporting disputes. After you've appealed, move on to the 'confirm and document your Equifax opt-out status' step to verify the outcome.