Cancel Equifax the easy way

Overview

Equifax is a global data, analytics and technology company providing credit reporting, fraud detection, identity services and HR solutions. In the United Kingdom Equifax offers consumer credit reports, daily score updates and alert services.

Key UK consumer services

Equifax UK sells three consumer-facing plans: a free Basic credit offering, a paid Credit Report & Score plan with a 30 day free trial, and a Family & Friends plan covering up to three adults. Paid plans auto-renew monthly unless cancelled.

Company facts

Official UK product pages: Equifax Basic and Family & Friends.

Web (fastest)

1. Go to Equifax help or login to your MyEquifax account.
2. Open My Account and select Cancel Subscription.
3. Follow on-screen prompts and record on-screen confirmation or take a screenshot.
4. Save the confirmation email from Equifax; this is your proof of cancellation.

iOS

1. Open the Equifax app if installed, or open a browser and sign in to MyEquifax.
2. Navigate to account settings and select Cancel Subscription.
3. Follow prompts; take a screenshot of confirmation and keep the confirmation email.

Android

1. Open the Equifax app or browser, sign in to MyEquifax.
2. Go to My Account and choose Cancel Subscription.
3. Keep any on-screen confirmation and confirmation email.

Phone

1. Call 0800 014 2955 between 08:00 and 18:00 Monday to Friday (closed 25 and 26 December).
2. Provide personal details and request cancellation. Ask for a cancellation reference number and the name of the agent.
3. Ask the agent to send a confirmation email to your address on file.

Email

1. Send an email to [email protected] with your full name, account email, last 4 of payment card used and explicit request to Cancel Subscription.
2. Request a confirmation email and allow 2 to 5 business days for a reply.
3. Keep the sent message and any reply as proof.

Post

1. Send a signed letter to Equifax, PO Box 10036, LE3 4FS Leicester, United Kingdom stating you wish to Cancel Subscription and include account details.
2. Send by tracked or registered post and keep the tracking receipt.
3. Allow the company time to process and insist on a written confirmation if required.

Cooling-off period (14 days)

If you ordered a service online or off-premises you have a 14-day cooling-off right under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013. You can cancel for any reason during these 14 days and are entitled to a full refund. If you requested that Equifax begin providing the digital service during the cooling-off period (for example by starting your 30 day free trial and explicitly consenting to immediate access), Equifax may charge an amount to cover the services already provided. To claim a cooling-off refund contact [email protected] or use the MyEquifax cancellation flow. (Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013)

Fraud, terms violation or legitimate ground

Equifax can cancel access if fraud is confirmed or the customer violates terms. If Equifax cancels access on these grounds they state no refund will be provided. Equifax may ask for additional information about potential fraud; if you do not provide requested information within 45 days Equifax may cancel access without a refund. Required proof documents: identity evidence, bank statements, correspondence showing disputed transactions. This policy is documented in Equifax terms. (See Equifax terms and conditions)

Death of subscriber

If the account holder has died, request cancellation by emailing [email protected] and include a copy of the death certificate and proof that you are the executor or close next of kin. Equifax will cancel access and advise on any refund entitlement according to their terms and the Consumer Contracts Regulations where applicable.

End of commitment

Monthly plans have no minimum commitment; cancellation stops future billing. If you are on an annual plan contact Equifax with your account details to confirm whether a pro rata refund is available; the specific amount will be provided by Equifax according to their terms.

Moving abroad

Moving residence outside the United Kingdom is not listed by Equifax as an automatic contract termination reason in published terms. If you wish to cancel because you are moving, follow the standard cancellation process and request confirmation. Provide documentation of your change of address if Equifax requests it.

Before you cancel: negotiate

Equifax sometimes offers alternatives to full cancellation. The published service notes that Equifax may offer the option to change a monthly subscription to Equifax CreditWatch instead of full cancellation for certain products. When you call 0800 014 2955 or email [email protected], ask whether a retention offer, reduced rate or product downgrade (for example switching to CreditWatch) is available. Script: state your cancellation intention, request retention offers, ask for a written offer and a deadline to decide. If they offer a discount or switch, get the new monthly price and the exact start date in writing.

What cancelling saves you (math)

Equifax Credit Report & Score: £14.95 x 12 = £179.40 per year. Equifax Family & Friends: £22.95 x 12 = £275.40 per year. Equifax Basic: Free.

Yearly saving examples:

• Cancel Equifax Credit Report & Score and save £179.40 per year.
• Cancel Equifax Family & Friends and save £275.40 per year.

From the competitors listed in research, the cheapest stated monthly price is Santander at £6 per month for contents (not a direct credit-reporting product). Santander example price: £6 x 12 = £72 per year. Use competitor pricing carefully when comparing product types.

Relevant UK law and regulators

Key laws applicable to consumer cancellation and service quality include the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (services must be performed with reasonable care and skill) and the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 (14-day cooling-off period for most online and off-premises contracts). Equifax UK is regulated and complaints can be taken to the Financial Ombudsman Service where applicable.

Cancelling and refunds

Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 you have 14 days to cancel services ordered online and receive a full refund. If you expressly requested that Equifax start the digital service during the cooling-off period, Equifax may retain a fair amount for services already provided. Equifax states that if they cancel access because fraud is confirmed or terms are breached, no refund will be provided.

Hard-to-cancel and auto-renewal

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) treats unclear auto-renewal practices and hard-to-cancel subscriptions as potential unfair practices. If you believe Equifax used unclear renewal terms or made cancellation unduly difficult, include this in your complaint and raise the issue with Citizens Advice (Citizens Advice - cancelling a service) and the Financial Ombudsman if not resolved.

How to escalate

1) Complain to Equifax via their complaints page or [email protected]. 2) If unresolved, contact the Financial Ombudsman Service and reference any relevant Ombudsman decisions (for example DRN-2741217, DRN-3651983). 3) For card payments consider Section 75 or a chargeback through your card issuer where applicable.

Check access and keep proof

After cancellation confirm you no longer have access to paid features and keep the cancellation confirmation email or screenshot. If you were charged within 24 hours of renewal and intended to cancel earlier, note the exact time and request a refund.

Data and credit report

Equifax states that upon cancellation customers will no longer have access to the Product but retain the statutory right to a free copy of their Credit Report via MyEquifax. If you need a copy for future credit applications download or request a statutory report.

Re-subscribing and trial rules

If you cancelled a product with a free trial and re-subscribe for the same product within 6 months you will not be entitled to another free trial and will be charged immediately. Keep this rule in mind before re-subscribing.

Final billing and refunds

If you are within the 14-day cooling-off period request a refund citing the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. If Equifax refuses a refund where you have that right escalate to the Financial Ombudsman and include all proof of cancellation and correspondence.

Use this checklist to complete and document your Equifax cancellation.

• Log into MyEquifax and cancel via My Account; save on-screen confirmation and confirmation email.
• If cancelling by phone, note the agent name, reference number and ask for confirmation by email.
• If cancelling by post send a signed letter to Equifax, PO Box 10036, LE3 4FS, by tracked or registered post and keep the receipt.
• Check your bank or card statement within 48 hours for any further charges and record date and amount.
• If within 14 days request a refund under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 and quote the law.
• If Equifax continues charging after confirmed cancellation, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman and consider chargeback or Section 75 through your card issuer.
• Download and keep a copy of your statutory credit report from MyEquifax.