What is a Credit Report
(and How Do I Get Mine)?

A credit report is a consumer report that contains information about where you work and live and how you pay your bills. It also may show whether you have been sued or arrested or have filed for bankruptcy. Companies called consumer reporting agencies (credit bureaus) compile and sell your credit report to businesses. Because businesses use this information to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, and other purposes, it is important that the information in your credit report is complete and accurate.

Some financial advisors suggest that you periodically review your credit report for inaccuracies or omissions. This could be especially important if you are considering making a major purchase, such as buying a home. Checking in advance on the accuracy of information in your credit report could speed the credit-granting process. Because more than one consumer reporting agency (credit bureau) may have a credit report on you, some with different information, you may want to review a comprehensive credit report including information from all three major national credit bureaus. If you prefer, you may contact each credit bureau directly to obtain or purchase your credit report. Their websites are listed at the bottom of this page. You may also call the credit bureaus listed in the Yellow Pages under "credit" or "credit rating and reporting."

You may also consider using a credit report monitoring service. These services monitor your credit reports at the major credit bureaus and inform you when there are any significant changes. You should learn immediately if any problems arise, and many services even inform you every time inquiries are made into your credit report.

Important: If you have been denied credit, insurance, or employment because of information supplied by a credit bureau, the law says that the company you applied to must give you the credit bureau's name, address, and telephone number. If you contact the credit bureau for a copy of your credit report within 60 days of receiving a denial notice, the credit report is free. In addition, you are entitled to one free copy of your credit report a year if you can prove that (1) you're unemployed and plan to look for a job within 60 days, (2) you're on welfare, or (3) your credit report is inaccurate because of fraud. If you live in Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey or Vermont, State law requires credit bureaus to provide you a free copy (two in Georgia) of your credit report each year upon request. Otherwise, a credit bureau may charge you up to $8 for a copy of your credit report.

The three major consumer reporting agencies (credit bureaus) are: