26:["$","$L27",null,{"category":"$28","relatedArticles":[{"id":"cG9zdDo2ODIzMA==","databaseId":68230,"postId":68230,"author":{"node":{"id":"dXNlcjo3NQ==","databaseId":75,"userId":75,"avatar":{"url":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/772aededd0a011cdb46e2aac7321981e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","size":96,"__typename":"Avatar"},"description":"Lucy Lazarony has been writing about personal finance for more than a decade. Lucy's a credit card expert. She is a freelance writer and award-winning journalist living in South Florida. Lucy earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Florida. Her work is featured on Credit.com, CardRatings.com, MoneyRates.com and Art Hive Magazine.","additionalMeta":{"expertise":null,"__typename":"User_Additionalmeta"},"email":null,"firstName":"Lucy","fullName":"Lucy Lazarony","lastName":"Lazarony","name":"Lucy Lazarony","postCount":{"pageInfo":{"offsetPagination":{"total":7,"__typename":"OffsetPaginationPageInfo"},"__typename":"UserToPostConnectionPageInfo"},"__typename":"UserToPostConnection"},"slug":"llazarony","__typename":"User"},"__typename":"NodeWithAuthorToUserConnectionEdge"},"categories":{"nodes":[{"id":"dGVybTo0NzIw","children":{"nodes":[],"__typename":"CategoryToCategoryConnection"},"databaseId":4720,"categoryId":4720,"link":"https://smartasset.com/credit-cards/articles","name":"Credit Cards","postCount":{"pageInfo":{"offsetPagination":{"total":89,"__typename":"OffsetPaginationPageInfo"},"__typename":"CategoryToPostConnectionPageInfo"},"__typename":"CategoryToPostConnection"},"slug":"credit-cards","ancestors":null,"parent":null,"__typename":"Category"}],"__typename":"PostToCategoryConnection"},"content":"$29","date":"2018-01-11T07:00:54","excerpt":"

\n","featuredImage":{"id":"cG9zdDoxNzA2MzQ=","databaseId":170634,"altText":"Contact a Credit Bureau","date":"2022-11-08T14:29:32","fileSize":32382,"mimeType":"image/jpeg","modified":"2022-11-08T14:29:32","sourceUrl":"https://smartasset.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/01/rsz_istock-866058264.jpg","__typename":"MediaItem"},"modified":{"datetime":"2024-7-24","readable":"July 24, 2024"},"multipleBylinesByRole":{"editedBy":{"id":"dXNlcjoxMzY=","databaseId":136,"userId":136,"avatar":{"url":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1d295f71ad5f26fc505155b8d7e5e2a0?s=96&d=mm&r=g","size":96,"__typename":"Avatar"},"description":"Jeff is a Writer/Editor for SmartAsset. He's an expert in a variety of personal finance topics, such as investing, banking and retirement. Jeff has received his JD and MBA and has been featured in a number of publications, such as Investopedia, The Street, Forbes, Yahoo! Finance and more. He currently resides in Utah with his wife and five children, where they cheer for the Denver Broncos and make it to the water to sail whenever given the chance. Jeff currently holds the Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®) designation.","additionalMeta":{"expertise":"Financial Planning, Small Business, Retirement, Banking","__typename":"User_Additionalmeta"},"email":null,"firstName":"Jeff","fullName":"Jeff White, CEPF®","lastName":"White, CEPF®","name":"Jeff White, CEPF®","postCount":{"pageInfo":{"offsetPagination":{"total":16,"__typename":"OffsetPaginationPageInfo"},"__typename":"UserToPostConnectionPageInfo"},"__typename":"UserToPostConnection"},"slug":"jwhite","__typename":"User"},"reviewedBy":null,"writtenBy":null,"factCheckedBy":null,"secondEditor":null,"hideAuthor":null,"__typename":"Post_Multiplebylinesbyrole"},"adTargetingOverrides":{"fieldGroupName":"adTargetingOverrides","pageGroupNewKey":null,"__typename":"Post_Adtargetingoverrides"},"seo":{"canonical":"https://smartasset.com/credit-cards/how-to-talk-to-a-credit-bureau","metaDesc":"Equifax, Experian and TransUnion all use automated phone lines or online support. We provide the phone numbers and times to call to reach a live person.","metaKeywords":"","metaRobotsNofollow":"follow","metaRobotsNoindex":"index","readingTime":6,"title":"How to Contact a Credit Bureau and Talk to a Real Person","__typename":"PostTypeSEO"},"slug":"how-to-talk-to-a-credit-bureau","status":"publish","title":"How to Contact a Credit Bureau and Talk to a Real Person","uri":"/credit-cards/how-to-talk-to-a-credit-bureau","tags":{"nodes":[],"__typename":"PostToTagConnection"},"__typename":"Post","adPageGroupOverride":null,"bylines":{"writtenBy":{"id":"dXNlcjo3NQ==","databaseId":75,"userId":75,"avatar":"$2a","description":"Lucy Lazarony has been writing about personal finance for more than a decade. Lucy's a credit card expert. She is a freelance writer and award-winning journalist living in South Florida. Lucy earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Florida. Her work is featured on Credit.com, CardRatings.com, MoneyRates.com and Art Hive Magazine.","additionalMeta":"$2b","email":null,"firstName":"Lucy","fullName":"Lucy Lazarony","lastName":"Lazarony","name":"Lucy Lazarony","postCount":"$2c","slug":"lucy-lazarony","__typename":"User"},"editedBy":{"id":"dXNlcjoxMzY=","databaseId":136,"userId":136,"avatar":"$2f","description":"Jeff is a Writer/Editor for SmartAsset. He's an expert in a variety of personal finance topics, such as investing, banking and retirement. Jeff has received his JD and MBA and has been featured in a number of publications, such as Investopedia, The Street, Forbes, Yahoo! Finance and more. He currently resides in Utah with his wife and five children, where they cheer for the Denver Broncos and make it to the water to sail whenever given the chance. Jeff currently holds the Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®) designation.","additionalMeta":"$30","email":null,"firstName":"Jeff","fullName":"Jeff White, CEPF®","lastName":"White, CEPF®","name":"Jeff White, CEPF®","postCount":"$31","slug":"jeff-white-cepf","__typename":"User"},"reviewedBy":null,"factCheckedBy":null,"secondEditor":null},"category":{"id":"dGVybTo0NzIw","children":"$34","databaseId":4720,"categoryId":4720,"link":"https://smartasset.com/credit-cards/articles","name":"Credit Cards","postCount":89,"slug":"credit-cards","ancestors":null,"parent":null,"__typename":"Category"},"isModifiedBeforePublished":false,"contentBlocks":["

The information that credit bureaus collect affects just about every aspect of your life. Whether you’re approved for a credit card, get a good mortgage rate, can rent an apartment or even get a job – they all can hinge to varying degrees on your credit score. So when a credit bureau has something wrong, it’s imperative that you tell them. The three major bureaus – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – offer online services and prefer that you use their online forms instead of calling. But sometimes you need to talk to a live person.

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If you want to build a long-term financial plan while you get your credit in order, consider speaking with a financial advisor.

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Why Would I Need to Contact a Credit Bureau?

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The three big credit bureaus or credit reporting agencies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – create credit reports that reflect consumers’ creditworthiness. The reporting agencies are for-profit businesses and sell their reports to other businesses, such as insurers, credit card companies, banks and employers.

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These businesses in turn factor in these credit reports when making decisions such as whether to offer you a credit card and at what interest rate. So it’s important to monitor your credit reports and make sure the information on them is correct. If you ever find a mistake, you should contact the credit bureau to correct the information.

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You may also need to contact a credit bureau if you think that you’re a victim of credit fraud. That could mean placing a fraud alert on your account or freezing your credit so that no one can open a new line of credit in your name. Don’t forget that you can get a free copy of your credit report three times per year.

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How to Talk to a Real Person at Equifax

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Equifax has multiple phone numbers that you can use to speak with a real person. The number that you use will depend on what you need help with. We recommend trying to contact the correct number. If you call the wrong number, they will simply say they cannot help you and then direct you to call another number. You can find all of Equifax’s contact information on its website, Equifax.com.

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If you want to contact Equifax with a general inquiry, you can reach the company’s customer service via phone at the number (888) 378-4329. Just make sure to call between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.

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In September 2017, Equifax announced that 147 million people had personal information exposed in a data breach. The company agreed to a global settlement up to $425 million to help those affected by the breach. The time to file a claim has expired. For more information, you can call (833) 759-2982 or you can visit www.EquifaxBreachSettlement.com.

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How to Talk to a Real Person at Experian

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Experian makes it relatively hard to talk to a real person on the phone. The company encourages people to use its website for most things. However, there are three main phone numbers that you should know if you want to talk to someone at Experian.

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Call (888) 397-3742 (1-888-EXPERIAN) if you want to order a credit report or if you have any questions related to fraud and identity theft. You can place an immediate fraud/security alert on your credit with this number.

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If you have a question about something on a recent credit report (such as incorrect information), you will need to have a copy of the credit report. On the report, you will find a 10-digit number. This number is different for each credit report and you will need it for the representative to help with any issues related to your specific report.

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If you need help with anything related to your membership account, you should call Experian’s customer service at (866) 617-1894. You will need to call while the Experian office is open in order to speak with someone. The hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT, Monday to Friday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT, on the weekends.

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How to Speak With a Real Person at Experian

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Reason for Calling	Phone Number
Buying a credit report or placing a fraud alert on your credit file	(888) 397-3742
Question about a recent credit report	Call the number on your document from Experian
Question about your Experian membership account	(866) 617-1894

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How to Talk to a Real Person at TransUnion

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TransUnion has one general support number that you can use to talk to a human. This includes help with your credit report (such as dispute information, freeze your account or report fraud), your credit score or any general questions. That customer support number is (800) 916-8800.

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You will hear an automated service when you first call this number. Press 4 in order to speak with a representative. Then you’ll need to press 1 if you have a TransUnion File Number or 2 if you don’t have one.

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A TransUnion File Number is a unique identification number that you can find in the top right of your TransUnion credit report. You do not need a number to speak with a representative. However, you will need it to do anything related specifically to your credit report. For example, the file number is necessary for disputing incorrect information.

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Bottom Line

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If you need a credit report or have an issue with your report, you’ll need to contact a credit bureau. Each of the three national credit bureaus has a website where you can do most things. They prefer that you use online forms instead of calling. But sometimes it’s comforting to speak with a real person who can answer your specific questions. You may have to wait quite a bit of time, but it’s important to have patience if you must talk to a live person.

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Tips for Using a Credit Card Responsibly

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Photo credit: ©iStock.com/Milkos, ©iStock.com/sturti, ©iStock.com/fstop123

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Just about everyone finds themselves unable to pay a bill at some point. If you’re behind the eight ball you may turn to a payday loan to cover the gap. While this type of loan is convenient, payday lenders typically charge an exorbitant amount of interest and fees. If you can’t pay the money back […]

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BillFloat offers a less expensive option for consumers who need a little extra time to pay.

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How It Works

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Getting started with BillFloat is relatively easy. You go to the sign up page and enter some basic information about the bill you want to pay, including the biller’s name, the amount due, when you want to schedule a payment and your account number. The types of bills you can pay through BillFloat include utilities like gas, electric and water; cable and satellite service; wireless and landline telephone service; insurance; auto loans; sanitation; and HOA fees.

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On the next screen, you’ll enter your personal information, including your name and Social Security number as well your bank account number and routing number. BillFloat uses this information to verify your identity but there’s no credit check to sign up for service. Once you’ve got all your information entered, BillFloat will give you a bill payment summary and a repayment summary.

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The bill payment summary shows how much BillFloat will pay on your behalf, when the bill will be paid and what the service fee is. The amount of the fee typically depends on the amount of the bill. The repayment summary shows how much was “floated” to pay your bill, how much interest you’ll have to pay and what the total repayment amount is. Floated payments have to be repaid within 30 days and first-time users can only float bills up to $200. Once you establish a positive repayment history, BillFloat will extend you more credit to float bills and reduce your fees.

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BillFloat vs. Payday Loans

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There are some key differences between BillFloat and a traditional payday loan. First, BillFloat doesn’t loan the money to you directly; instead, they send it straight to the biller. You don’t have to commit money from your next paycheck to repay the loan but you do have to pay it back within the 30-day period to avoid a $10 late fee. Unlike payday loans, a BillFloat loan can’t be renewed or rolled over.

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In terms of the interest rate, BillFloat is at the lower end of the scale compared to payday loans. The maximum APR you’ll pay for a loan through BillFloat is 36%, not including the service fee. With a payday loan, you could be paying anywhere from 300% to 700% interest, which can make it extremely difficult to pay the money back if you end up rolling the loan over. Payday loans typically need to be repaid within two weeks which means you have less time to get caught up.

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BillFloat is designed to help you get caught up on your bills. But you can only use the service for certain types of accounts. If the biller you need to pay isn’t one of the estimated 3,500 that BillFloat partners with, you’ll have to find another way to cover the payment. With a payday loan, you’re not limited as to how you use the money.

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Is It Worth It?

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If a payday loan is your only other choice, then using BillFloat instead makes sense since the fees and interest are much lower. Your bills will get paid on time and you’ll have a decent amount of time to pay the money back. However, you’ll still be paying more to use the service than you would if you took out a short-term loan or line of credit from a traditional bank or credit union. The bottom line is that you should weigh all of your options carefully to make sure that you’re choosing the least expensive way to borrow when you’re strapped for cash.

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Update: Have further financial questions? SmartAsset can help. So many people reached out to us looking for tax and long-term financial planning help, we started our own matching service to help you find a financial advisor. The SmartAdvisor matching tool can help you find a person to work with to meet your needs. First you’ll answer a series of questions about your situation and goals. Then the program will narrow down your options from thousands of advisors to three fiduciaries who suit your needs. You can then read their profiles to learn more about them, interview them on the phone or in person and choose who to work with in the future. This allows you to find a good fit while the program does much of the hard work for you.

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Photo Credit: taberandrew

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If you’re buying your first home or refinancing your mortgage, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got enough money on hand to seal the deal. Closing costs typically make up between 2% and 5% of the purchase price and they have to be paid before the loan can be finalized. When you don’t have the cash, you could borrow from family and friends or take an advance from your credit card. If you’re considering a cash advance, it’s important to be aware of all the potential downsides of that choice.

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Check out our closing costs calculator.

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Cost Can Outweigh Convenience

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While you can pull money directly from your line of credit, the credit card company’s likely going to charge you a premium for doing so. Cash advance fees can range from 3% to 5% of the advance amount and the fee is tacked onto your balance. If you’re buying a $200,000 home with $6,000 in closing costs, you could pay up to $300 for the cash advance fee.

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The other problem with taking a cash advance is that the interest rate for these transactions is calculated differently than the one used for purchases. For instance, if your rate for standards charges is 18%, the cash advance interest rate could be more than 30%. If you can’t pay the balance off quickly, a cash advance could become even more expensive as the interest piles up.

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Taking a Cash Advance Affects Your Credit Score

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During the mortgage application process, the lender will be looking closely at your credit so you probably don’t want to do anything that could put your score in danger. Taking a cash advance prior to your final approval to cover your anticipated closing costs could have a negative impact on your credit standing.

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Lenders consider your credit utilization ratio when assessing how much of a risk you are. This is the amount of available credit you have versus the amount of credit you’ve used. If taking a cash advance puts you close to the limit on one or more credit cards, that directly affects your ratio and therefore your score. Even if you’re already preapproved for a mortgage, it’s important to tread carefully when it comes to your credit.

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You May Have to Explain the Cash Advance to a Lender

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Aside from your credit, your mortgage lender will also review your bank statements for the period leading up to your loan application. Specifically, they’ll be looking for unusual withdrawals or large deposits that don’t fit with your normal banking activity.

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If you receive a large sum of cash out of the blue from a credit card advance, they may ask where the money’s coming from. If you have to tell them that it came from a cash advance, that may raise some eyebrows about your ability to pay the mortgage. In the worst case scenario, the lender might decide you’re too much of a risk and deny your loan application.

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Find out now: Which credit card is best for you?

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How to Make a Cash Advance More Affordable

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If you decide to go ahead with a cash advance, you can take some of the sting out of the interest by transferring the balance to another card with a lower rate. When you’re comparing 0% interest offers, you might want to look for a card that offers the longest promotional term to give you the most flexibility for repaying it. It’s a good idea to choose one that doesn’t charge an annual fee to keep costs as low as possible.

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There is a catch involved with balance transfers, however. You’ll get hit with another fee that’s usually around 3%. But when you compare that number to the interest you’d be charged otherwise, it might be a small price to pay. It’s certainly worth looking into your options to make sure you’re making the best decision for your situation.

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If you want assistance making big financial decisions like this, talking to a financial advisor might be a good idea. A matching tool like SmartAsset’s SmartAdvisor can help you find a person to work with to meet your needs. First you answer a series of questions about your situation and your goals. Then the program narrows down thousands of advisors to three fiduciaries who meet your needs. You can read their profiles to learn more about them, interview them on the phone or in person and choose who to work with in the future. This allows you to find a good fit while doing much of the hard work for you.

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Photo credit: ©iStock.com/sinopics

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Reviewing your credit card statement every month is important. If you toss it in the trash as soon as you receive it, you may miss the chance to catch a mistake. A merchant may have charged you twice for the same item. Or there could be an unauthorized charge on your bill. Don’t assume that challenging a credit card charge is a waste of time. Here are a few strategies you can implement if you’re trying to win a credit card dispute.

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1. Contact the Merchant First.

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If there’s a clerical error or another issue with your credit card bill, it’s best to try and resolve it with the retailer. That’s usually the quickest way to solve your problem. If you’re dealing with a fraudulent charge, however, it’s OK reach out to your creditor first.

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But what if a merchant ignores you or fails to do his part to make things right? At that point, you may need to file a complaint with your credit card issuer.

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2. Avoid Procrastinating.

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If you need to dispute a credit card charge and/or request a chargeback (the cancellation of a transaction and the issue of a refund by a bank instead of a retailer), you’ll need to do so as soon as possible. There are laws that protect consumers with credit card issues, such as the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) and the Truth in Lending Act. But often, they only fully apply when you file a dispute within a specific time frame.

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According to the Federal Trade Commission, billing errors include mathematical mistakes, charges you never authorized, incorrect charges and missing returns and credit card payments. Under the FCBA, you can dispute these kinds of errors within 60 days of receiving your bill. Of course, depending on your credit card company, you may have as many as 120 days to open a credit card dispute.

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Does that mean you shouldn’t try to dispute a charge if you’ve waited too long to address it? No. But not handling it right away may reduce your chances of winning your credit card dispute.

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3. Prepare to Make Your Case.

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In many cases, you can dispute a credit card charge simply by calling your credit card issuer or completing an online form. But you may need to write to your creditor. If you’re required to submit a letter, it’s best to mail it via certified mail. Don’t forget to request a return receipt so you know your credit card issuer got everything it was supposed to receive.

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Regardless of how you attempt to resolve your billing issue, it’s a good idea to gather any important documents. Receipts, canceled checks, proof of returns and emails between you and the merchant involved may help your case if you’re trying to dispute a charge.

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4. Know Your Rights.

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Understanding the laws that protect consumers is imperative. Being familiar with the FCBA, for example, can be helpful if you’re thinking about disputing a billing error.

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Keep in mind that you can take legal action against both a merchant and your creditor, if necessary. For example, if your credit card issuer isn’t following the rules under the FCBA, you can complain to the Federal Trade Commission or file a lawsuit.

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5. Stand Your Ground.

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Persistence may be the key to winning your credit card dispute. If your creditor starts an investigation but nothing happens, you can try using the claims and defenses argument. You’ll have up to a year to file this kind of complaint with your merchant through a letter or over the phone. But in order to take advantage of it, you’ll need to meet certain criteria.

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For example, the value of whatever you paid for must exceed $50. And in order to dispute your charge, you must have attempted to get the merchant to fix the issue first. If you didn’t buy the product in your state, you must have purchased it within 100 miles of your home. Finally, if you’ve already paid off credit card debt that you now want to dispute, you won’t be able to complain about it through the process for claims and defenses.

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You should also use the claims and defenses complaint to challenge a credit card charge if the quality of the product or service you invested in doesn’t meet your expectations. This type of issue cannot be resolved using the dispute process that applies to billing errors.

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Bottom Line

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Disputing a credit card charge may take time. But winning a dispute is possible, especially if you’re aware of the laws that protect you and you have plenty of documents that can help your case.

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Just remember that merchants have rights too. And even if you think a credit card dispute is over, the retailer may still come after you. It’s important to keep up with any paperwork in relation to the dispute even after it’s over.

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Financial Planning Tips

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