Why Is Equifax Score So Low?

Your Equifax score may sit 5‑20 points above or below the scores you see from TransUnion and Experian because each bureau collects slightly different account histories and often applies a different model such as FICO 8, FICO 9, or VantageScore 4.0. A missed payment recorded only at Equifax will pull its score down, while the same payment reported on time to the other two bureaus can keep theirs higher.

To reconcile the gap, request the same scoring version from each bureau, line up the accounts on your Equifax credit report, and flag any items that appear in one file but not the others. Missing tradelines, outdated personal information, or mixed‑file errors can explain the disparity and point you to the next step - pull and read your Equifax file in detail before tackling the negative items. For data on typical bureau variances, see average credit score differences between bureaus.

Scoring models such as FICO ® or VantageScore ® read the data in your Equifax credit report, assign each factor a weight, and output the Equifax score; the same data may produce a different number on TransUnion or Experian because each bureau uses its own version of the algorithm.

For example, a 35 % balance‑to‑limit ratio on a single Revolut card can drag the Equifax score down if the model gives high weight to 'high utilization on any account.' Recent hard inquiries (e.g., a mortgage application) may cut points because the model penalizes recent risk. A 60‑day late payment recorded in your Equifax file adds a larger negative tag than a similar payment on another bureau if the model values recent delinquencies more heavily. VantageScore often treats medical debt and public records as 'low‑impact' items, while some FICO versions still subtract points, so a medical collection on your Equifax file can lower the score more than it would elsewhere. Finally, if the Equifax file contains a merged or mixed credit history - older charge‑offs from a previous identity - those legacy negatives can weigh heavily under models that emphasize total debt age.

You can pull and read your Equifax credit report instantly online or by phone. Having the report lets you see why your Equifax score may be low before you move on to identifying negative items.

1. Visit the official Equifax portal or call 1‑800‑352‑3173; create a secure account if you don't have one. You can also claim your free annual report at Annual Credit Report website.
2. Select the version that includes both FICO and VantageScore details; the report lists balances, payment history, public records, and inquiries.
3. Download the PDF or print a hard copy; keep it for later analysis.
4. Verify personal information (name, SSN, address) on the first page; errors may indicate a mixed or merged file.
5. Find the 'Score Summary' section; note the Equifax score, the scoring model (e.g., FICO 8, VantageScore 3.0), and compare it to the TransUnion and Experian scores you reviewed earlier.
6. Open the 'Accounts' tab; flag any past‑due balances, high utilization ratios, or closed accounts that still appear.
7. Review the 'Public Records & Collections' tab; mark medical debt, tax liens, or collection accounts that could be pulling your score down.
8. Write down the three most negative items you see; the next section shows how to address each one.

The three biggest negatives pulling down your Equifax score are recent delinquencies, high credit‑card utilization, and derogatory public‑record items.

• Late payments, collections, or charge‑offs - Any 30‑day‑late entry, collection account, or charged‑off debt on your Equifax file hurts the payment‑history factor, which makes up about 35 % of a FICO or VantageScore model.
• Credit‑card balances over 30 % of limits - Reporting utilization above the 30 % threshold on revolving accounts signals risk and lowers the utilization slice of the score, especially in the FICO model where it accounts for roughly 30 %.
• Bankruptcy, tax lien, judgment, or medical‑debt collections - These public‑record items appear as severe derogatories on your Equifax credit report and can drop a score by 50 - 100 points in a single hit.

Lower your reported credit utilization on Equifax by reducing revolving balances, increasing credit limits, or correcting reporting errors.

1. Pull your Equifax credit report and locate every revolving account. Note each balance and its reported credit limit; these figures drive the utilization ratio used by FICO and VantageScore models.
2. Pay down any balance that exceeds 30 % of its limit. Bringing the ratio to 10 % -  30 % often yields the biggest boost to your Equifax score.
3. Call the issuer and ask for a credit‑limit increase. If the lender accepts, confirm that the new limit will be reported to Equifax; a higher limit lowers utilization without additional payment.
4. If a balance appears higher than what you actually owe, file a dispute with Equifax. Include a recent statement and request correction; the bureau must investigate within 30‑45 days.
5. For cards with high interest, consider a balance‑transfer to a lower‑rate account. The transferred balance reports as a new, lower‑utilization line on your Equifax file, accelerating the reduction.

These actions may help the Equifax score recover faster and set the stage for the next step - challenging medical debt and public records on your Equifax report.

You can challenge medical debt and public records on your Equifax report by filing a dispute directly with Equifax.

• Review the Equifax credit report you pulled in the previous section; locate each medical entry or public‑record item that looks inaccurate or outdated.
• Gather supporting documents such as hospital billing statements, insurance explanation of benefits, or court records showing the entry is paid, settled, or erased.
• Submit the dispute online at Equifax's official dispute portal, attaching PDFs of your evidence.
• Specify that the entry is 'medical debt' or 'public record' and request removal or correction; the FICO and VantageScore models treat these items differently, so a clean‑up may help your Equifax score.
• Wait 30 - 45 days for Equifax to investigate; they must notify you of the outcome and update the Equifax file if the item is verified as incorrect.

Resolving these entries clears a common drag on your Equifax score and sets the stage for the next step - detecting mixed or merged credit files that may still be hurting your rating.

A mixed or merged Equifax file shows accounts, inquiries, or delinquencies that aren't yours, and it can depress your Equifax score across FICO and VantageScore models. Detect it by examining the personal details at the top of your Equifax credit report, flagging any unfamiliar creditors, and matching the file against the reports you pulled from TransUnion and Experian in the previous step.

• Verify name, address, Social Security number, and birth date; mismatches often signal a merged file.
• Scan the 'Account History' section for lenders you never opened or dates that precede your credit history.
• Cross‑reference negative items (late payments, collections, bankruptcies) with your other bureau reports; discrepancies point to a mix‑up.
• Use Equifax's online 'File Review' request or call the consumer help line; ask for a 'segregation of records' investigation.
• Document each suspect entry and include supporting evidence (e.g., statements, ID) when you file a 30‑45 day dispute; the bureau must verify ownership before the item stays on your Equifax file.

Fix identity theft and fraud issues on your Equifax file by first securing the account - add a fraud alert, then a security freeze, and file a police report or FTC Identity Theft Report. These actions stop new accounts from opening and give you a formal record to attach to every dispute.

Next, log into the Equifax credit report portal, locate each fraudulent entry, and submit a dispute that includes the police report number, a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report, and any supporting documentation.

Equifax must investigate within 30‑45 days and delete verified fraud, which can remove inaccurate negatives that drag down your Equifax score. If the item remains, request a 'reinvestigation' and consider contacting TransUnion or Experian to place matching alerts, ensuring all three bureaus reflect the same clean slate. The Federal Trade Commission's identity theft guide provides a step‑by‑step checklist.

Realistic timelines for recovering your Equifax score hinge on the specific fix you're targeting.

Dispute results usually appear within 30‑45 days after you file, and the Equifax credit report updates once the creditor responds. Paying down balances can lower utilization in one to two billing cycles (30‑60 days), while removing a 90‑day late payment may boost a FICO‑based Equifax score after the same 30‑45 day window.

Complex issues like medical‑debt verification or identity‑theft remediation often require 6‑12 months of consistent, error‑free activity before the Equifax file shows sustained improvement.

Set milestones that match each action's typical window and track the Equifax score monthly. If a dispute remains unresolved after 45 days, or if utilization stays high despite payments, treat the delay as a red flag. Use the same schedule for TransUnion and Experian reports to confirm that improvements aren't isolated to one bureau.

When a milestone passes without the expected change, prepare to escalate - see the next section on contacting the CFPB, state agencies, or a lawyer. For dispute‑timeline guidance, consult the CFPB dispute timeline.

Escalate when the Equifax credit report still shows inaccurate items after the 30‑45 day dispute window, when Equifax's response is incomplete or denies a valid error, or when repeated disputes yield no change and the Equifax score remains unfairly low.

File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, contact your state attorney general's consumer protection office, or retain a consumer‑rights lawyer if the mistake involves identity theft, fraudulent public records, or violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act; these steps apply equally to TransUnion and Experian files but focus first on correcting the Equifax file.