A lot goes into a credit report. Credit bureaus gather data from banks, credit unions, and other financial services companies. All of this data is used to help determine what kind of mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, personal loans, and lines of credit people can get. Some other institutions that may report account information include:

  • Third Party debt collectors (common)
  • Municipalities (common for bankruptcy and judgments)
  • Utilities (uncommon)
  • Medical services (uncommon)
  • Landlords (uncommon)

What’s on a credit report?

Each credit bureau has its own style for how your report looks, but here’s what you’ll find in a typical report.

Personal information

Basic info about you, including:

  • Your full name
  • Social Security number
  • Where you’ve lived

100% of consumers’ credit reports have information in this section.

Credit Accounts

An overview of all credit accounts that are reported to the credit bureau.  Sometimes a lender may not report to some or any credit bureaus. Most accounts will show the following information:

  • Lender information
  • Account status
  • Current balance
  • Credit limit
  • High balance
  • Loan terms
  • Minimum monthly payment
  • Payment history

About 93% of consumers’ credit reports have information in this section.

Hard Inquiries

This is a record of who has checked your credit and when. 

  • Date of inquiry

  • Inquiring company

About 49% of consumers’ credit reports have information in this section. If you haven’t applied for credit in the last two years, you shouldn’t have anything in this section.

Collections

This is where any unpaid balances that have been sold to 3rd party debt collectors are listed.  Here you can find:

  • Amount owed
  • Original creditor
  • Date last active

About 29% of consumers’ credit reports have information in this section.

Public Records

Public records include information about bankruptcies, judgments, and tax liens. 

About 4% of consumers’ credit reports have information in this section.

Soft Inquiries

Soft inquiries are when a company looks at a credit report for a purpose other than evaluating an application for credit. Some examples are when a consumer requests a free credit report, when a lender determines whether to extend prescreen offers that often come in the mail, and when lenders review credit reports for account maintenance purposes. These inquiries don’t impact credit scores and typically will only appear if you get a credit report directly from a credit bureau.

Where can I get my credit report?

There are numerous ways to get a copy of your credit report.  Many banks and credit unions offer this as a free service and there are numerous websites that will pull your credit for you as well.  However, you best option may be to start at the source.  You can go directly to the credit bureaus to review your credit report.  Take a look at our DIY guide to credit repair to access your reports, review them, and dispute any errors you may find along the way.