Equifax Offers Free Credit Reports for Consumers Affected by Government Shutdown

Equifax is providing free credit reports for consumers affected by the recent government shutdown. Furloughed federal employees and contractors will have access to their free credit report through April 25, 2019.

This service comes in addition to the free credit reports consumers are allowed to access once a year on AnnualCreditReport.com.

The partial shutdown left many Americans unable to pay mortgages, credit card bills, and other payments that affect their credit history. While many lenders agreed to forgive or make alternative payment arrangements with their customers, consumers are concerned about how their late payments may affect their credit. Equifax is providing free reports so these consumers can verify their payment arrangements were properly recorded on their credit histories.

Consumers should realize that Equifax is offering free credit reports not credit scores. The reports will show missed or late payments, but not how those payments may impact the corresponding credit score.

If you monitor your credit score through CreditWise from Capital One, Credit Journey from Chase, Credit Scorecard from by Discover or other free credit score providers, watch for changes in your score over the next few months. Scores typically take 30-90 days to reflect missed or late payments.

If your free Equifax report shows a change that is not in line with your payment arrangement, contact the creditor to make the appropriate adjustments.