Credit Reports & FICO® Scores

There are several factors that influence the approval of your loan or credit card, one of which is your credit report. It is important to verify your credit report to see what creditors use when they review your credit applications. By doing so, you can catch and clear up any errors and discrepancies that can prevent you from having a strong credit rating. Experts suggest you review your credit report every few years, if not yearly.

Additionally, your FICO® Score (credit score) is a key component lenders use when approving you for loans and credit cards (and may influence the rate you are offered). Your credit reports can help you understand how paying off or assuming debt influences your FICO® Score, and what you can do to maintain a solid rating.

What’s in Your Credit Report

Credit reports are full of coded information that can be quite confusing. The primary function of these reports is to help businesses to make decisions, and codes simplify that process. If you read through your report line by line, though, you will be able to get a good understanding of what is being reported about you. Learn more about what's in a credit report.

Free Annual Credit Reports

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACT Act) enables you to receive a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies: TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. Simply visit www.annualcreditreport.com to order your free credit reports.
 

Please note that www.annualcreditreport.com is the official site where you can receive your free credit reports and should not be confused with consumerinfo.com, freecreditreport.com, or other similar websites.

Credit Monitoring Services

If you have need for additional services beyond your free credit reports, TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax all offer similar services that you can purchase to help manage your credit profile and keep your credit rating strong. Some of their services include:

• 3-in-1 monitoring and email / wireless alert services that notify you of key changes to your three nationwide credit reports.
• FICO® Score monitoring, including alerts when changes to your FICO score might impact the interest rates you receive.
• Identity theft services that include scanning the internet for your personal information on suspect websites, email / wireless alerts when changes are posted to your credit profile, and identity theft insurance.

All company names are the registered trademarks of their respective owners.