Equifax Launches Lock & Alert™

Free-for-life service offers consumers the ability to lock and unlock their Equifax® credit report

ATLANTA, January 31, 2018 –  Equifax (NYSE: EFX), a global information solutions provider, today announced the availability of Lock & Alert, a new service that enables consumers to quickly lock and unlock their Equifax credit report using a computer or app downloaded on their mobile device from either the Apple^® App Store or Google Play^™ Store.

U.S. consumers who are 18 years or older and have an Equifax credit report may enroll in this service, which is available for free, for life. Once a consumer has enrolled in the service, Equifax will send an alert each time he or she locks or unlocks their Equifax credit report.

“Regaining consumer trust and ensuring them that we are listening is one of our highest priorities” said Paulino do Rego Barros, Jr., Interim CEO, Equifax. “Today, we are delivering on the commitment we announced on Sept. 27, 2017, to provide a service that allows consumers to help control access to their personal Equifax credit report in an easy and  convenient way.

“Not only does Lock & Alert empower consumers to help restrict certain access to their Equifax credit report, which may help better protect against unauthorized access and identity theft, it also gives them the ability to lock and unlock their report through a convenient app on their mobile device,” added Barros.

The new Lock & Alert service is similar to a security freeze as it restricts certain access to a consumer’s Equifax credit report for purposes of opening new credit, but Lock & Alert uses usernames and passwords, as well as mobile app technology. It also has no associated fees.

If a consumer enrolls in Lock & Alert, and later decides to apply for a loan or purchase a vehicle, he or she will be able to quickly unlock their Equifax credit report to allow a lender access. Once the credit check is complete, the consumer is able to quickly re-lock their Equifax credit report using the app on his or her mobile device.

“The consumer-empowerment approach that is offered through Lock & Alert is what people have come to expect,” said Barros. “I’m pleased we are able to deliver on a promise we committed to, and empower individuals with another way to restrict certain access to their Equifax credit reports.”

Lock & Alert is an Equifax-only service, and consumers should contact the other two major credit bureaus should they wish to lock or freeze their credit reports with those bureaus.

About Equifax

Equifax is a global information solutions company that uses unique data, innovative analytics, technology and industry expertise to power organizations and individuals around the world by transforming knowledge into insights that help make more informed business and personal decisions.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. It is a member of Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500® Index, and its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol EFX. Equifax employs 10,100 employees worldwide.

For More Information

1550 Peachtree Street, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30309

Nancy Bistritz-Balkan
(404) 735-8529
nancy.bistritz@equifax.com

Jackie Parker
(678) 576-5888
jparker@arketi.com

Jerry Grasso
(404) 822-2047
mediainquiries@equifax.com