Consumer Credit Reports & Assistance (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a credit report and a consumer report? ›

A credit report will document which accounts are in good standing, if any debts are past due, and other information about your financial history. A credit report, however, is a type of consumer report. A consumer report is a broader report that contains personal identifying information beyond credit.

There are three big nationwide providers of consumer reports: Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.

Thanks to a new federal law, consumers can get one free credit report a year from each of the three national credit bureaus. Those bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Checking your own credit report is not an inquiry about new credit, so it has no effect on your score. In fact, reviewing your credit report regularly can help you make sure the information the credit reporting companies share with lenders is accurate and up-to-date.

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Generally speaking, a good credit score is 690 to 719 in the commonly used 300-850 credit score range. Scores 720 and above are considered excellent, while scores 630 to 689 are considered fair. Scores below 630 fall into the bad credit range.

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

An 810 credit score is Exceptional. Get your free credit report from Experian and check your credit score to better understand why it's so good, and how to keep it that way.

Don't be fooled by look-alikes. Lots of sites promise credit reports for free. AnnualCreditReport.com is the only official site explicitly directed by Federal law to provide them.

Who is entitled to a free credit report? ›

Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to request free copies of your credit reports. Other sites may charge you or be fraudulent sites set up to steal your personal information. By law, everyone is entitled to one free credit report every twelve months from each of the three credit reporting agencies.

Step 1 – Check with your bank or credit union

If your bank or credit union partners with FICO, log in to your account online. You will likely be provided with a free FICO Score.

Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 that amended the FCRA, consumers may now request a free annual credit report from each of the three major CRAs.

You have the right to request one free copy of your credit report each year from each of the three major consumer reporting companies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com. You may also be able to view free reports more frequently online.

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.

Differences: The consumer credit score also considers balances and available credit, while the FICO score places a heavier emphasis on credit mix and length.

Employment background checks also are known as consumer reports. They can include information from a variety of sources, including credit reports and criminal records.

Your free credit report is called a “credit file disclosure” by Equifax Canada and a “consumer disclosure” by TransUnion Canada. It does not include your credit score. To get your credit report free of charge: you may order it by mail, fax, telephone or in person • you must receive it by mail or in person.

Credit reporting companies, also known as credit bureaus or consumer reporting agencies, are companies that compile and sell credit reports. Credit reporting companies collect credit account information about your borrowing and repayment history including: The original amount of a loan.