A credit report is a document that contains a history of your financial activities. Three main agencies compile the information that goes into your credit report: Experian, Trans Union and Equifax. Each credit agency may have slightly different information about your history with credit, employment and inquiries by potential lenders. However, there are some items that are never included on your credit report.
Information Not Allowed in Your Credit Report
According to Experian's customer service website, information in your credit report will mainly consist of only your credit record. Your credit report will never include information such as race, political party, religion or other personal lifestyle details. A credit report will not contain your medical history, although payments or nonpayments to hospitals or other medical professionals may appear. Your credit report will not include information on your criminal record or any other legal decisions that do not have a direct relationship to your credit. Your credit report will only include information about your credit history, not that of your friends or family. If you are married, joint accounts will be included on both parties' reports, but your spouse's financial information is not included in your report.
Information Used in Your Credit Report
The information in your credit report includes several categories. Identifying information includes your name, including any previous names such as maiden names. A list of your current and previous addresses is also included, as is information about current and past employers. Credit reports will also note your Social Security number and birthdate. Recent inquiries are the next category of information, which includes data on who has received a copy of your credit report recently. Public record information includes court records on financial issues such as bankruptcy and tax fines. Finally, usually the largest section reports credit information, which includes details of your accounts with banks and other lenders.
Information in Your Credit Score
Your credit score is a numeric representation of your credit history, based on information from the credit agencies. Fair Issac Corp. (FICO) is the best-known credit scoring agency. Your FICO score includes information from your three credit reports and is used by lenders to help make informed lending decisions. According to FICO's consumer website, there are five main categories of information considered for your credit score: payment history, amounts owed to all lenders, length of credit history, new credit and credit type.
Who Has Access to Your Credit Report
Your credit report is not available to anyone who wants to look at it. Credit agencies are only allowed to provide a copy of your credit report in a number of circumstances. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, there are five main categories. First, lenders considering offering you a line of credit can request your credit report. A potential employer can use your credit report when making a hiring decision. Insurers can use credit reports when issuing or renewing policies. Government benefits agencies can use your credit report to determine whether you are eligible. The fifth category is anyone with a "legitimate business need," including someone like a potential landlord.
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