Equifax is one of the “big three” U.S. credit bureaus, alongside Experian and TransUnion. It plays a central role in your financial identity, tracking credit card activity, loan balances, payment history, and more. Lenders often check Equifax data when determining approval for new credit cards, personal loans, and home refinancing options. While Equifax has faced scrutiny in the past due to a data breach, it remains a major pillar in the credit ecosystem. Consumers who want access to top credit card offers or high-limit cards should monitor their Equifax report, unlike with tools like Credit Karma which are only for reference.