Credit Reporting (2024)

FAQs

What is credit reporting? ›

Credit reporting companies, also known as credit bureaus or consumer reporting agencies, collect and store financial data about you that is submitted to them by creditors, such as lenders, credit card companies, and other financial companies.

What are the three credit bureaus? Equifax, Experian and TransUnion are the three nationwide credit bureaus. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), credit bureaus are companies that compile and sell credit reports.

Equifax: 1-800-685-1111; Equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services. Experian: 1-888-397-3742; Experian.com/help. TransUnion: 1-888-909-8872; TransUnion.com/credit-help.

Common violations of the FCRA include:

Failure to update reports after completion of bankruptcy is just one example. Agencies might also report old debts as new and report a financial account as active when it was closed by the consumer. Creditors give reporting agencies inaccurate financial information about you.

Credit bureaus collect and maintain a timely history of your credit activity as reported by the lenders and creditors with whom you have accounts, along with certain other information such as bankruptcies and collection items. Each creditor may report the status of your account according to your payment history.

There are some differences around how the various data elements on a credit report factor into the score calculations. Although credit scoring models vary, generally, credit scores from 660 to 724 are considered good; 725 to 759 are considered very good; and 760 and up are considered excellent.

If you've ever wondered what the highest credit score you can have is, it's 850. That's at the top end of the most common FICO® and VantageScore® credit scores. And these two companies provide some of the most popular credit-scoring models in America. But do you need a perfect credit score?

Simply put, there is no “more accurate” score when it comes down to receiving your score from the major credit bureaus.

AnnualCreditReport.com is the official site to get your free annual credit reports. This right is guaranteed by Federal law. You can verify this is the official site by visiting the CFPB's website. Don't be fooled by look-alike sites.

Is AnnualCreditReport.com safe? ›

Is AnnualCreditReport.com safe to use? The AnnualCreditReport.com website is secured through encryption. This means you can safely and securely get a free report from each of the credit bureaus through this website, which you can opt to save on your computer, print at home, or receive in the regular mail.

FICO is the acronym for Fair Isaac Corporation, as well as the name for the credit scoring model that Fair Isaac Corporation developed. A FICO credit score is a tool used by many lenders to determine if a person qualifies for a credit card, mortgage, or other loan.

Called the five Cs of credit, they include capacity, capital, conditions, character, and collateral. There is no regulatory standard that requires the use of the five Cs of credit, but the majority of lenders review most of this information prior to allowing a borrower to take on debt.

A credit report is a detailed account of your credit history. They're an important measure of your financial reliability. Your credit report might be used in a variety of situations, from getting a credit card to buying a house – or even applying for a job.

Your credit reports are important pieces of financial information that help lenders measure your level of credit risk, or the likelihood you'll pay your bills on time. So, it's important to understand what a credit report is, as well as what you'd expect to find on one.

Lenders may use your credit report information to decide whether you can get a loan and the terms you get for a loan (for example, the interest rate they will charge you). Insurance companies may use the information to decide whether you can get insurance and to set the rates you will pay.

Your credit report lists what types of credit you use, the length of time your accounts have been open, and whether you've paid your bills on time.