You can close your Experian account by calling their customer service line or submitting a written request, but the process depends on what type of account you have and whether you owe them money

Experian operates three separate services: Experian's credit monitoring and identity theft protection products (which you pay for), Experian's free credit report access (which you do not pay for), and Experian's role as one of the three major credit bureaus (which you cannot close because it is not your account to close). Most people who want to "close" their Experian account are trying to cancel a paid subscription or stop receiving emails from a free account. The steps are different for each.

If you signed up for a paid Experian service like Experian Premium or Experian IdentityWorks, you will need to contact Experian directly to cancel. If you created a free account just to check your credit report once, you can straightforward stop using it — there is nothing to close. If you want to prevent Experian from collecting information about you as a credit bureau, that is not something you can do by closing an account; that requires a different process called a credit freeze or fraud alert.

Key Takeaways

  • Paid Experian subscriptions must be cancelled by phone at 1-888-397-3742 or through your online account settings; cancelling online is faster and gives you when ready confirmation.
  • Free Experian accounts do not need to be formally closed, but you can delete your profile through account settings if you want to remove your information from their system.
  • Cancelling a paid subscription does not remove your information from Experian's credit bureau database, which is separate from your account.
  • If you want to stop Experian from reporting on your credit, you need to place a credit freeze or dispute inaccurate information, not close your account.

Cancelling a paid Experian subscription online

The fastest way to cancel a paid Experian service is through your online account. Log in to your Experian account at experian.com, go to Account Settings or Subscription Settings (the exact name varies by product), and look for a "Cancel Subscription" or "Manage Subscription" option. Click through and confirm the cancellation. You should receive an email confirmation when ready, and your access will stop right away or at the end of your current billing cycle depending on the product.

Write down the confirmation number from the email. If you are charged again after cancellation, you will need this number to prove you cancelled and to request a refund. Keep the email for at least three months. If you cannot find the cancellation option in your account settings, or if your account is locked or you have forgotten your password, move to the phone method instead.

Cancelling by phone if online cancellation does not work

Call Experian customer service at 1-888-397-3742. Have your account number ready (you can find it on your billing statement or in your account settings). Tell the representative you want to cancel your subscription. They will ask you why you are cancelling and may offer you a discount to stay; you can accept or decline. Once you confirm cancellation, ask for a confirmation number and the date your service will stop.

Request that they email you a cancellation confirmation. If they say they cannot email it, ask them to note in your account that you cancelled on this date and get the representative's name and the time of the call. This creates a record if Experian charges you again. The cancellation usually takes effect when ready, though some products may let you use the service through the end of your billing period.

Deleting your free Experian account profile

If you have a free Experian account that you created just to view your credit report, you do not have to do anything to close it. Free accounts do not auto-renew and do not charge you. You can straightforward stop logging in. However, if you want to remove your information from Experian's system entirely, you can request account deletion.

Log in to your Experian account, go to Account Settings, and look for a "Delete Account" or "Close Account" option. Some versions of the Experian site do not have this button visible; if you cannot find it, call 1-888-397-3742 and ask them to delete your free account. They will ask for your name, date of birth, and the email address associated with the account. Deletion usually takes a few days to process.

What happens to your credit information after you close your account

Closing your Experian account does not delete your credit file or stop Experian from reporting on your credit. Experian is one of three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — and they maintain credit files on nearly every adult in the United States. Your credit file exists whether or not you have an account with them. Lenders, employers, and landlords can still request your credit report from Experian after you close your account.

If you want to prevent Experian from reporting certain information, you have other options: you can place a credit freeze (which makes your credit file unavailable to new creditors), place a fraud alert (which warns creditors to verify your identity before opening accounts), or dispute inaccurate information on your credit report. These actions are separate from closing an account and require different steps.

Handling refunds if you were charged after cancellation

If Experian charges you after you cancelled, contact them when ready. Call 1-888-397-3742 with your cancellation confirmation number and the date you cancelled. Ask for a refund of the charge. Experian typically refunds charges within 5 to 10 business days if you cancelled in time and the charge was a mistake.

If Experian refuses to refund the charge, you can dispute it with your credit card company or bank. Call the number on the back of your card and tell them you cancelled a subscription and were charged anyway. Provide your cancellation confirmation number and the date of the charge. Your card issuer can reverse the charge and investigate. This process usually takes 30 to 60 days.

Removing yourself from Experian's marketing emails

Even after you close your account, Experian may continue to send you marketing emails about their products. To stop these, log in to your account (if you still have access) and look for email preferences or communication settings. Uncheck the boxes for marketing emails. If you have already deleted your account or cannot access it, call 1-888-397-3742 and ask to be removed from their marketing list. Provide your email address and ask them to confirm removal in writing.

You can also use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any marketing email from Experian. Click it and follow the steps to remove yourself from that mailing list. It may take up to 10 business days for Experian to stop sending emails after you unsubscribe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will closing my Experian account hurt my credit score?

No. Closing an account with Experian the company does not affect your credit score. Your credit score is based on information in your credit file (your payment history, debt levels, and credit history length), not on whether you have an account with Experian. Closing a paid subscription or deleting a free account has no impact on your credit.

Can I close my Experian account if I still owe them money?

You can request to close your account, but Experian will not process the cancellation until you pay any outstanding balance. If you have an unpaid charge or subscription fee, contact them at 1-888-397-3742 to settle the balance first, then cancel. Once the balance is paid, the cancellation will go through.

What is the difference between closing my account and placing a credit freeze?

Closing your account stops you from accessing Experian's services and removes your profile from their system. A credit freeze prevents Experian from sharing your credit file with new creditors without your permission. You can place a freeze even if you do not have an account with Experian. If you want to protect yourself from identity theft, a freeze is more effective than closing an account.

Do I need to close my account with all three credit bureaus?

No. The three credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — are separate companies. Closing your account with one does not affect the others. You can close your Experian account and keep accounts with Equifax and TransUnion, or close all three, or close none. Each is independent.

How long does it take for my Experian account to be fully deleted?

Online cancellations of paid subscriptions usually take effect when ready. Deletion of free accounts typically takes 3 to 5 business days. If you cancelled by phone, the process may take up to 10 business days. During this time, you may still see your account in the system or receive one final billing statement. Contact Experian if the account is not closed after 10 business days.