Credit Reports & Credit Scores
Your credit report is a detailed record of how you've managed your credit over time. Lenders use your credit report -- or the credit score that results from the data in it -- to help them decide whether to grant you credit and, if so, under what terms.
Understanding what is, and isn't, in your credit report will help you maintain good credit, and rebuild it when your credit is not so good. It's also important to frequently review your credit report, so that you can find errors, information you might dispute, or even signs of identity theft. Understanding what a credit score is and how it affects your credit is also key to good financial health.
Below you'll find articles on credit reports, credit scores, and how to get them.
A "credit score" is a number indicating your creditworthiness. The number is based on what's in your credit reports.
Learn about Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion – the three nationwide credit bureaus.
A security freeze prevents potential creditors from accessing your credit history. Then, criminals can't get loans or other forms of credit in your name.
What's the most important credit score? If you’re seeking a new conventional, conforming mortgage, it’s Classic FICO.
Here's how to get your credit report from the "other" credit bureaus.
If a creditor writes-off your account and sends it to collection, it will report that to the credit bureaus.
Credit freezes and credit locks help protect your credit data from fraudulent use.
Completing a deed in lieu of foreclosure or filing for bankruptcy will cause your credit scores to drop. Find out which one is worse.
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