Consumer Credit Reporting Companies

When evaluating a customer's application for a credit product, companies use credit reports from a credit reporting agency. The reports contain information about a consumer's open accounts, the payment history on those accounts and how many credit inquires are on the report. Three major credit bureaus provide credit reports both to lenders and consumers.

TransUnion

TransUnion has more than 30 years of experience in the credit reporting industry and provides services to over 500 million customers worldwide. The company allows consumers to purchase a copy of their credit reports, as well as their credit scores. In addition, customers can sign up for 3-Bureau Credit Monitoring, providing access to all three national credit bureaus. Customers receive updates every 30 days and have the opportunity to dispute incorrect information via the company's website. TransUnion also partners with the website zendough.com, giving customers access to their credit scores, along with information about the six factors that lead to determining the score.

Experian

Experian is a credit reporting company that has access to more than 215 million United States consumers while offering services to clients in over 65 countries throughout the world. Customers can choose from a number of services offered by the company, including credit monitoring, credit checks and identity theft protection. Additional products offered by Experian include credit education services to help consumers build their credit history and the ability to request and view disputes regarding incorrect information online. Experian also provides consumers with free credit advice and the company's Triple Advantage Credit Monitoring service sends email alerts whenever a change is detected on a credit report.

Equifax

Equifax has a history of delivering credit information to both business and consumers for more than 100 years. Services are provided to 15 countries located in the Europe, Latin American and North America. Customers have the ability to purchase all credit scores and reports from all three bureaus from Equifax, and also have the ability to estimate how an expected change in their credit history will affect the score. Equifax also offers identity theft protection services, with free fraud notifications sent to customers anytime there is suspicious activity. Also available is the company's Debt Wise service, that gives customers information on which debt repayment options will have their accounts paid off faster.