What Categories Are Included in Your Credit Report?

Credit reports allow for easy access to personal credit history information. As noted by the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank, retailers and banks used to be required to contact each potential consumer's debtors individually in order to make a final decision about loans and credit cards. Credit reports shorten this potentially lengthy process. Additionally, credit reports make it easier for individuals to track their credit and make financial decisions. While the exact format of credit reports may vary by provider, there tend to be similar categories in all reports.

Consumer Information Category

Consumer information credit report categories include basic personal information: name, address, phone number, date of birth and other personal details. They also list employers. When consumers have problems or issues involving credit, they can contact their credit bureau and submit personal comments, which also may be listed in the consumer information category.

Credit Information Category

Following consumer personal information, most credit reports provide a basic consumer summary, which lists amounts owed for any real estate, revolving accounts such as credit cards, installment accounts such as car loans, collection accounts and any other accounts. Many credit reports also include a more detailed credit information category that lists more specific information about each credit account.

Public Record Category

The public record category lists any state or county records that have to do with credit, such as bankruptcy, monetary judgments and tax liens. This section also lists the specific details of each record, including the date it was filed, how it was filed and the amount of money involved.

Inquiries Category

The inquiries category lists any creditors that have recently accessed your credit report, usually to determine whether you are approved for a line of credit or a loan. As noted at True Credit, several inquiries in a short period of time may negatively affect an individual's credit score.