Experian offers credit solutions, but are they safe to use? Let’s dive into the safety and security of Experian’s website and mobile app.
Is Experian a Legit Company?
Experian is a leading provider of consumer and business credit reporting solutions. It has grown to a team of over 17,800 employees spanning 44 countries in the past 125 years.
Although Experian is known primarily for credit reporting, it offers various free and paid services to help consumers and small business owners stay on top of their credit health. These include free credit reports and scores, credit monitoring, identity theft protection, credit card, and loan matching tools, online disputes, security freezes, fraud alerts, other credit support services, and credit education resources.
Reasons Why You Can Trust Experian
Experian has been a trusted provider of valuable credit solutions to consumers and business owners for over a decade. The credit reporting agency also has in-depth privacy policies in place to protect your personal data, along with identity theft services to help ward off fraudsters or assist if your identity is compromised.
The Legality of Experian
Experian is a legal entity, but it must adhere to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This federal law regulates the collection, access, and use of the data found in consumer reports. The credit reporting agency must also ensure the fairness, privacy, and accuracy of information found in consumer credit bureau files.
As a consumer, you can dispute inaccurate or incomplete information in your Experian credit file. You also have a right to a timely response – typically within 30 days – Experian must either update or delete the information. It depends on the outcome of the investigation. If information is outdated per the reporting timeline, Experian must also refrain from reporting it.
Regarding privacy, Experian can only release access to your credit file to individuals with a valid need. You are also permitted to review your credit profile. And if you wish to stop receiving “prescreened offers” based on the data in your Experian file, you have the right to opt-out by calling 1-888-567-8688 (1-888-5OPTOUT).
If your identity is compromised, there are solutions, like fraud alerts and security freezes, available through Experian to protect yourself.
Is Requesting Your Credit Score with Experian Safe?
Cyber thieves lurk around the internet 24/7, searching for their next victim. Fortunately, Experian has secure and relatively simple methods for consumers to request their credit score.
If you want to view your Experian credit score, follow these steps:
- Visit Experian.com.
- Select “Reports and Scores” from the header menu.
- Select “Free Credit Score”.
- Input your information and select “create your account”.
- View your Experian credit score.
Prefer to view your credit scores from all three credit bureaus – Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax? Here’s how:
- Visit Experian.com.
- Select “Reports and Scores” from the header menu.
- Select “3 Bureau Credit Report and Scores”.
- Input your information and select “submit and continue”.
- Remit your payment of $39.99.
- View your 3-bureau credit report and FICO Scores (including the auto, home, and bankcard scores).
Be mindful that phishing scams are quite common and could make you susceptible to identity theft from a fraudster posing as Experian. For example, fraudsters could send an email or text message claiming to be Experian and requesting that you input additional sensitive information to access your credit score.
To avoid falling victim to this scam, be sure to visit Experian’s website or mobile app directly when requesting your credit score. Most importantly, never input your information from a source you don’t recognize.
Is Experian Boost Safe?
Experian Boost gives you credit for your positive payment history on your mobile phone and utility bills to help improve your credit score, but is it safe? Considering Experian requires you to connect your bank account to use the free service, that’s a valid question.
The good news is that Experian’s stringent security measures used to protect consumer data when accessing credit reports and scores also apply to Experian Boost users. There are multiple layers of protection in place, and you can discontinue the use of the service at any time.
If you decide to unenroll from Experian Boost, the system will sever access to your bank account. Furthermore, it won’t have the ability to read the transaction data used by the service to identify qualifying accounts used to boost your score.
Is Your Information Secure with Experian?
Experian prides itself on providing exceptional service without compromising the personal information of its customers. The privacy policy outlines how information is used and how the credit reporting agency complies with both legal requirements and consumers’ expectations.
How Safe Is the Experian App?
The Experian mobile app adheres to the same security protocols as their other services. You can also view the privacy policy within the mobile app to learn more about how your personal information is used.
It’s easy to use the mobile app. Simply download it on your iOS and Android device. You will be asked a series of questions to authenticate your account. Also, be mindful that the mobile app times out when your phone becomes idle to help keep your information secure.
How Experian Protects Your Social Security Number
Experian uses your Social Security number to verify your identity when you request access to their products or services. You can find a thorough list of how Experian uses personal information in its privacy policy.
Bottom Line: Is Experian Safe to Use?
Experian is trusted by millions of consumers and businesses and is safe to use. Their free and premium services are readily available but with several layers of protection to shield your information from fraudsters.
If you worry your personal information may be at risk for exposure on the web, consider enrolling in an IdentityWorks Plus or Premium Plan. Both options protect you, your spouse, and your children (if applicable) from cyber thieves. Upon enrollment, you’ll receive identity theft insurance, dark web surveillance, identity theft monitoring, and real-time alerts, and so much more.
