What are the Names of the Three Credit Report Agencies?

In the United States, there are three main credit bureaus: Equifax, Experion, and TransUnion. A fourth bureau, Innovis, is smaller than the three major ones. A fifth bureau, Payment Reporting Builds Credit, allows consumers to report transactions not normally included in credit reports.

Equifax

Equifax, founded in 1899, is the oldest of U.S. credit bureaus. Equifax provides credit histories, credit reports, and credit scores. Equifax provides a BEACON credit score, similar to a FICO score.

Experian

Experian, founded in 1980, is a leading U.S. credit bureau. Experian provides credit reports and credit scores for consumers. Experian's credit scoring system is based on the Fair Issac, or FICO, scoring model.

TransUnion

TransUnion, founded in 1968, is the final large bureau. TransUnion offers a credit scoring system, similar to a FICO score, called EMPIRICA.

Innovis

Founded in 1970, Innovis is the fourth and smallest of the traditional credit bureaus. Though businesses use Innovis, the three other bureaus are more commonly used. Innovis does not share information with the three other bureaus and must be contacted directly for credit freezes, fraud alerts, or identity theft.

Payment Reporting Builds Credit, Inc.

PRBC, founded in 2002, is an alternative credit bureau that allows consumers to report payments such as rent and utility bills to build a credit history. Reporting this type of payment allows consumers to build a credit history without debt.