Guard against Identity Theft with Equifax

Equifax is one of the leading credit reference agencies in the UK. Credit reference agencies maintain information about you and your credit history. This information is gathered on an ongoing basis from many sources that have extended you credit.

Lenders, employers, landlords, and other service providers buy that information in the form of a credit report to help them decide whether to approve your application for a loan, credit card, job, or housing, or to offer you a product or service at a particular rate. Equifax Personal Solutions is the only credit reference agency to provide the consumer with instant online access to their credit report, credit score and identity theft protection.

Product Information

Equifax Credit Report

This product shows the consumer their credit history:

Personal information; Compiled from credit applications you've filled out, this information normally includes your name, current and recent addresses, and date of birth, and current and previous employers.

Credit history; The bulk of your credit report consists of details about credit accounts that were opened in your name or that list you as an authorised user (such as a spouse's credit card). Account details, which are supplied by creditors with which you have an account, include the date the account was opened, the credit limit or amount of the loan, the payment terms, the balance, and a history that shows whether or not you've paid the account on time. Closed or inactive accounts, depending on the manner in which they were paid, stay on your report for up to 6 years from the date of their last activity.

Inquiries; Credit reference agencies record an inquiry whenever your credit report is shown to another party, such as a lender, service provider, landlord, or insurer. Inquiries remain on your credit report for up to two years.

Public records; Matters of public record obtained from government sources such as courts of law including County Court Judgments and bankruptcies may appear on your credit report. Most public record information stays on your credit report for 6 years.

Equifax Credit Rating

This product gives the consumer their Equifax credit score: A credit score is a tool used by a lender to help determine whether you qualify for a particular credit card, loan, or service. Based on information in your credit file, the credit reference agency analyses your information using a complex mathematical model to yield your credit score. Most credit scores estimate the risk a company incurs by lending you money or providing you with a service specifically, the likelihood that you'll fail to make payments in the next two to three years. The higher the score, the less risk you represent. Your score is calculated by a mathematical equation that evaluates many types of information found in the credit file.

Equifax Credit Watch

This product offers the consumer identity theft protection: What exactly is identity theft? Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information to take over your credit accounts, open new ones, take out a loan, rent a flat, access bank accounts, or commit many other crimes in your name and at your expense.

When it strikes, the effects can be devastating. What's more, because it frequently involves no physical theft, identity theft may not be noticed by its victims until significant damage has been done often, several months and thousands of pounds later. Regularly checking your credit report for changes you did not make is one of the best ways to combat identity theft. Equifax Credit Watch makes monitoring your report easy by automatically alerting you within 24 hours of key changes in your Equifax Credit Report like when someone tries to get credit in your name so you can act before serious damage is done. Your service also includes your Equifax Credit Report and access to live customer support.

Credit Watch Gold at £7.50 per month which gives you:

• Unlimited instant, easy online access to your latest credit file
• Automatic alerts within 24 hours of key changes to your report
• Ongoing support from our Customer Care team
• Optional newsletters giving you ongoing advice and up-to-date information

Identity Watch at £3.99 per month which gives you:

• One free Equifax Credit Report, with a discount on additional reports
• Automatic alerts within seven days of key changes to your report
• Ongoing support from our Customer Care team
• Optional newsletters giving you ongoing advice and up-to-date information

Identity Watch Lite at £2.99 per month which gives you:

• Automatic alerts within seven days of key changes to your report
• Equifax Credit Report can be purchased separately
• Ongoing support from our Customer Care team
• Optional newsletters giving you ongoing advice and up-to-date information