How to talk to a real person at Experian (and Equifax and TransUnion)
The numbers that reach a person at each credit bureau, their hours, and why Experian makes it hardest.
Last reviewed
The numbers at a glance
| Bureau | For | Number | Hours (Eastern unless noted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experian | Fraud, freezes, identity theft | 888-397-3742 | Not published |
| Experian | Disputes | The number on your Experian report | |
| Equifax | Report, disputes, alerts, freezes | 888-378-4329 | Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–9 p.m., Sat–Sun 9 a.m.–6 p.m. |
| Equifax | Security freeze | 888-298-0045 | Not published |
| TransUnion | Disputes, alerts, freezes, report | 800-916-8800 | Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–10 p.m., Sat–Sun 8 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| TransUnion | Fraud victim assistance | 800-680-7289 | Same as above |
| TransUnion | Freeze (automated) | 888-909-8872 | Any time |
TransUnion's lines are closed on US holidays. The CFPB also lists 866-349-5191 for Equifax disputes.
Experian: get your report first
Experian's contact page says it can best help people who already have a copy of their report, and to call the number shown on it. So:
- Get your free report at AnnualCreditReport.com. You can get one from each bureau every week.
- Find the phone number printed on your Experian report and call that.
- Or skip the phone and dispute online at experian.com/disputes, which Experian lists first.
For a fraud alert, freeze or identity theft, call 888-397-3742, or place a freeze in a free Experian online account; you no longer need a PIN.
Getting past the phone menu
None of the bureaus publish menu shortcuts. When the consumer site Clark.com tested all three in October 2025:
- TransUnion (800-916-8800): saying "agent" and confirming "yes" reached a person in about three minutes; the ZIP code prompt could be skipped.
- Equifax: choosing "anything else" from the menu, then pressing 0 or saying "agent", reached a person in about eight minutes.
Menus change, so treat these as a starting point.
What to have ready
- Your full name, current address and date of birth, and possibly your Social Security number.
- For a dispute: the company name and the partial account number exactly as they appear on your report.
- For an existing dispute: its confirmation number (Equifax asks for it to check status).
- For a freeze: a phone that can receive a text, if you choose the one-time PIN to verify.
When the phone isn't the fastest way
All three bureaus put online self-service first, and for most freezes and disputes it is quicker than calling. Disputes are generally investigated within about 30 days whichever way you file. Call when the online flow fails, when you're a fraud victim and need a person, or when you need to explain something the dispute form can't.
Which number, and is it open now?
Pick a bureau and what you need. Hours are converted to your time zone.
- A freeze is free and quickest in a free Experian online account. You no longer need a PIN.
Source: www.experian.com. Checked October 31, 2026.
FAQ
- How do I speak to a live person at Experian?
- For fraud, freezes or identity theft, call 888-397-3742. For a dispute, Experian asks you to get your report first and call the number printed on it.
- Does Experian have a customer service number?
- Several, by topic: 888-397-3742 for fraud and freezes, and 866-617-1894 for Experian membership accounts (8 a.m.–8 p.m. Central on weekdays, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. on weekends). There's no general dispute line.
- What is Equifax's phone number?
- 1-888-EQUIFAX (888-378-4329), 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.
- What is TransUnion's phone number?
- 800-916-8800 for disputes, fraud alerts and freezes, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Its automated freeze line, 888-909-8872, works any time.
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