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.
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Learn what a credit report is and what information it contains.
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Learn what a credit report is and what information it contains.
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Your Credit Score: What It Is and Why It Matters
Learn what credit scores are, how they're calculated, and why they matter.
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The Nationwide Credit Reporting Agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
Learn about Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion – the three nationwide credit bureaus.
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Who Can Look at Your Credit Report
Find out what people, businesses, and entities are allowed to order your credit report.
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Special Credit Reports: Investigative Reports
Investigative reports are consumer reports that contain personal information about you.
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Credit Reports and Credit Scores: What’s the Difference?
Learn about the difference between a credit report and a credit score.
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What’s “Slow Pay” on a Credit Report?
If you’re late paying a bill, the creditor might label you as a “slow pay.”
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Rent Payment History on Your Credit Report? What Tenants Need to Know
Credit reporting practice tracks rent delinquencies and non-payment of rent.
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What's a Credit Freeze and When Should I Use One?
A security freeze prevents potential creditors from accessing your credit history, which stops criminals from getting credit in your name.
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Should I Freeze My Child’s Credit Report?
Consider freezing your child’s credit to protect against identity theft.
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How to Get Six Additional Free Credit Reports Each Year
Starting in 2020, you can get six free credit reports per year—for the next seven years—from Equifax.
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Getting Credit Reports From Specialty Consumer Reporting Agencies
Here's how to get your credit report from the "other" credit bureaus.
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Paying for Additional Credit Reports
If you've already obtained all of your free yearly credit reports, you can buy another.
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What Are Specialty Credit Reports and Investigative Reports?
Specialty credit reports show your history for particular types of transactions, while investigative reports contain personal information about you.
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My account was "charged-off" and placed in collection. Will that go on my credit report?
If a creditor writes-off your account and sends it to collection, it will report that to the credit bureaus.
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Tradelines: Why Accounts or Debts Can Appear Several Times on Credit Reports
Learn what a tradeline is and what is means for your credit report.
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What’s the Difference Between a Credit Freeze and a Fraud Alert?
Credit freezes and fraud alerts help protect your credit data from fraudulent use. Learn the difference.
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What’s the Difference Between a Credit Freeze and a Credit Lock?
Credit freezes and credit locks help protect your credit data from fraudulent use.
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Which Is Worse for My Credit Score: Bankruptcy or a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure?
Completing a deed in lieu of foreclosure or filing for bankruptcy will cause your credit score to drop. Find out which one is worse for your score.
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Will the Government Shutdown Hurt My Credit?
Learn how you can get a free credit report—and what to expect in that report—if the government shutdown affected your ability to pay your bills.
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